South Korean MP Sings Vande Mataram at WAVES Film Bazaar, Moves Goa Audience to Standing Ovation
Vande Mataram Echoes in Goa by Korean MP.
The 19th edition of WAVES Film Bazaar commenced Thursday at Goa’s Marriott Resort with an unforgettable moment when South Korean National Assembly Member Jaewon Kim, invited as Guest of Honour, delivered a heartfelt rendition of India’s national song Vande Mataram, earning a prolonged standing ovation from hundreds of filmmakers, producers, and international delegates in attendance.
Kim, who has been a vocal advocate for stronger cultural ties between India and the Republic of Korea, used the platform to underscore the growing creative synergy between the two nations. Praising the organisers for their “commitment and consistency since the first edition,” she described the Film Bazaar as a shining example of collaboration, especially poignant this year as India celebrates 150 years since Vande Mataram was first composed by Bankim Chandra Chatterjee in 1875.
Inaugurating the event alongside Kim were Union Minister of State for Information and Broadcasting L. Murugan, Ministry Secretary Sanjay Jaju, Veteran Actors Anupam Kher and Nandamuri Balakrishna, and Festival Director Shekhar Kapur. Secretary Jaju hailed WAVES as a “complete ecosystem” that transforms art into commerce in line with Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision, while Minister Murugan positioned the platform as a strategic bridge connecting emerging Indian storytellers with global producers and investors.
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The five-day market, running parallel to the International Film Festival of India (IFFI), features over 300 film projects and delegations from more than seven countries, including a record 124 first-time creators. Organisers anticipate over 40,000 footfalls, cementing its status as South Asia’s premier co-production and networking hub since its inception in 2007.
The emotional high point of Kim’s gesture resonates deeply against the backdrop of the India-Republic of Korea Special Strategic Partnership, elevated in 2015 and reinforced by the golden jubilee of diplomatic ties celebrated in 2023, highlighting how cultural diplomacy continues to strengthen bilateral relations far beyond trade and technology agreements.
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