Inauguration of Amrita Day in Zebegény

29 August, 2026

Honored Guests, Ladies, and Gentlemen,

Namaskar, and a very good morning to you all. Jó napot kívánok.

It is a profound honor and a deep personal privilege for me to stand before you today in the beautiful, historic town of Zebegény to inaugurate this year’s ‘Amrita Day’ celebrations.

Zebegény is not just a scenic jewel situated on the Danube bend; for the people of India, it holds a deeply emotional and cultural resonance. It was here, amidst these rolling hills and vibrant landscapes, that one of the greatest artistic prodigies of the twentieth century spent her formative childhood years. Amrita Sher-Gil was much more than a pioneering painter. Born to an Indian scholar and aristocrat father, and a talented Hungarian mother, Amrita was the living, breathing manifestation of the profound connection between India and Hungary.

Her life and her lineage represent a historic embrace between the East and the West. Even today, decades after her passing, her memory and her enduring legacy continue to weave the people of our two nations together. We both proudly claim her as our own, and in doing so, we claim each other as family.

Amrita's art is the clearest proof that creativity flourishes where streams meet. Trained in the academic realism of the École des Beaux-Arts in Paris, she later immersed herself in the mural traditions of Ajanta and the everyday life of rural India, fusing European technique with an unmistakably Indian sensibility. Her paintings of South Indian villagers, of brides at their toilette, of tired women at rest, hold a raw emotional honesty that transcends both continents. Her work was revolutionary. It holds tremendous value not just for its aesthetic brilliance, but because it gave modern Indian art a completely new vocabulary. She proved that true art knows no borders, and that synthesizing different heritages only deepens our understanding of the human condition. Today her canvases are counted among India's greatest national treasures — declared so by the Government of India and preserved with great care at the National Gallery of Modern Art. Their value continues to climb, but their true worth lies in what they teach us: that a single artist can hold two worlds in one gaze.

That same bridge between our peoples stands firm today. The Hungarian nation has long shown an intellectual curiosity and cultural openness that is truly remarkable. Whether it is the sight of thousands gathering on the banks of the Danube for the International Day of Yoga, or the growing interest in Ayurveda as a path to holistic well-being, or the Hungarian students who dedicate themselves to Kathak and Odissi, to the tabla, and to the poetry of Tagore — this country has embraced the heritage streams of India with a generosity of spirit that moves me each time I encounter it. The Amrita Sher-Gil Cultural Centre of the Embassy of India in Budapest, fittingly named after the artist who unites us, is the daily expression of that bridge. Through its classes in yoga, Kathak, Odissi, and tabla, its Hindi language courses, its popular Thursday lecture series and India Knowledge Series, its film club and poetry evenings, and its colourful celebrations of Holi, Diwali, and International Women's Day, the Centre keeps the dialogue between our cultures alive and warm. I am told that a painting competition for children, held in Amrita's memory, drew entries from across the country this year — a testament to how her legacy continues to inspire the next generation of Hungarians.

The Amrita Sher-Gil Cultural Centre is presenting some aspects of Indian cultural heritage here for you today- a small window for our Hungarian friends to experience the multi-coloured tapestry of India- We have dance performances Kathak and Odissi. We have the traditional henna decoration session, we have a yoga session and we have for your pleasure Indian tea.

As a special event, we are also bringing to you the celebration of Raksha Bandhan or Rakhee- the festival of the sacred thread. A sister ties a woven rakhi on her brother's wrist. He answers with a gift and a promise of protection. The thread is fragile; the bond it marks is not. Today rakhis are tied between friends, neighbours and soldiers as well. A small ritual, an old idea.

Today, India is undergoing a tremendous, historic transformation under the visionary leadership of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi. We are witnessing unparalleled economic growth, massive infrastructural development, and a rising global footprint. Yet, what makes this resurgence truly special is that it is deeply rooted in our civilizational ethos.

The Government of India is undertaking monumental efforts to preserve, protect, and proudly present our rich heritage to the world. From the restoration of ancient monuments and the repatriation of stolen cultural antiquities to the global championing of the International Day of Yoga and the promotion of traditional medicine, there is a powerful cultural renaissance underway in India. We are modernizing rapidly, but with a renewed, unapologetic pride in our roots—a sentiment that aligns perfectly with how Zebegény so beautifully preserves the memory of its beloved Amrita.

In closing, I want to express my deepest gratitude to the town of Zebegény, its leadership, and its citizens. We are delighted to partner with this wonderful celeberation. By continuing to celebrate Amrita Day, you ensure that the vibrant colors of her life never fade. You keep the bridge between Hungary and India strong, beautiful, and enduring.

Thank you for your warmth, your dedication, and your hospitality.

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