The Swami Vivekananda Cultural Centre (SVCC) serves as a dynamic hub for strengthening cultural ties between India and Sri Lanka.
Director of SVCC,
Prof. Ankuran Dutta
Formerly known as the Indian Cultural Centre, it was inaugurated on July 30, 1998 by India’s then-Prime Minister, Atal Behari Vajpayee. By celebrating India’s rich and diverse cultural heritage while embracing shared traditions, SVCC plays a key role in deepening people-to-people connections and enhancing bilateral relations. Its initiatives spotlight the historical and cultural bonds between the two nations, promoting a spirit of friendship and collaboration.
The centre being the cultural wing of the High Commission of India in Colombo promotes mutual understanding by hosting a wide range of cultural activities, ensuring there is something for everyone to enjoy and appreciate. The Indian Film Festival in Sri Lanka, organised by the Swami Vivekananda Cultural Centre (SVCC), concluded successfully on January 10 after screening a lineup of India’s finest films.
In an email interview with the Sunday Observer Director of SVCC, Prof. Ankuran Dutta, discussed the Centre’s cultural exchange programs, upcoming initiatives including the events celebrating the shared traditions, all aimed at strengthening people-to people connections and cultural bonds between the two countries.
Excerpts of the interview
Q: As the Cultural Director, what are your long-term goals for enhancing cultural exchange between India and Sri Lanka?
A: My long-term goals for celebrating shared cultural heritage and enhancing cultural exchange between India and Sri Lanka focus on deepening people-to-people connections and fostering mutual understanding through vibrant cultural initiatives. I aim to expand collaborative platforms for artistes, scholars and performers from both nations, facilitating a rich exchange of traditions and ideas. Strengthening outreach programs to engage diverse communities, including youth and rural populations, is a priority, as is promoting shared heritage through digital innovations and contemporary art forms. By forging partnerships with educational institutions and cultural organisations, I envision building sustainable avenues for cross-border collaborations that celebrate our common history while embracing modern cultural expressions. Ultimately, my goal is to ensure that cultural diplomacy becomes a cornerstone of the enduring friendship between India and Sri Lanka. A few creative outcome oriented works are also in progress including translations and publications.
Q: How does the Centre support women’s empowerment through female-oriented programs in the cultural space?
A: The Swami Vivekananda Cultural Centre (SVCC) actively supports women’s empowerment by fostering their participation and leadership in cultural spaces. Through targeted programs and workshops, the Centre provides platforms for women to express themselves artistically, gain recognition, and build confidence. Dance, music, and yoga classes often attract a significant number of female participants, encouraging them to embrace their talents and pursue cultural education. In 2023, the main event of the International Day of Yoga was conducted by only female Yoga instructors, where over a thousand enthusiasts attended. The Centre hosts special exhibitions, performances, and seminars highlighting the contributions of women in Indian and Sri Lankan arts, history, and society. By collaborating with local women organisations and offering scholarships and training opportunities, SVCC empowers women to preserve and innovate within traditional art forms, while also inspiring them to take on roles as cultural ambassadors and community leaders. In all different events the Centre is well represented by women with above 70 percent participation.
Q: How does the Centre engage the younger generation in appreciating the cultural ties between India and Sri Lanka?
A: The Swami Vivekananda Cultural Centre (SVCC) engages the younger generation in appreciating cultural ties between India and Sri Lanka through interactive and youth-centric programs. The Centre organises cultural workshops, art competitions and performances tailored for school and university students, introducing them to the shared heritage of the two nations. Language classes, particularly in Hindi and Sanskrit, along with Indian classical music and dance lessons, provide young learners with hands-on experience in Indian traditions. Special youth festivals, summer camps, exchange programs and student-focused events such as debates on cultural history or fusion performances encourage active participation. By nurturing creativity, dialogue and collaboration, SVCC inspires young minds to value and sustain the historical and cultural bonds between India and Sri Lanka. In collaboration with the Indian Cultural Association, SVCC organises a weekly class titled ‘Gurukul’ to provide moral stories of India and Indic knowledge for the diaspora children.
Q: How does your role contribute to strengthening India-Sri Lanka diplomatic ties through cultural activities?
A: As Cultural Director, my role is important in strengthening India-Sri Lanka diplomatic ties by using cultural activities as a bridge to foster mutual understanding and goodwill. Through initiatives such as joint performances, art exhibitions, language programs and youth engagement activities, I create opportunities for dialogue and collaboration that transcend political and economic realms. By highlighting shared cultural heritage and promoting modern creative exchanges, I help deepen people-to-people connections, which are fundamental to bilateral relations. Collaborating with local institutions, I ensure that cultural diplomacy remains a vibrant and effective tool for nurturing trust and friendship between the two nations, thereby complementing broader diplomatic efforts.
Q: Can you share with us a few examples of collaboration between Indian and Sri Lankan artistes or cultural institutions that have been particularly impactful?
A: Several impactful collaborations between Indian and Sri Lankan artists and cultural institutions have been facilitated by the Swami Vivekananda Cultural Centre (SVCC). The Centre has facilitated sending students and artists from different organisations. These initiatives have strengthened cultural ties and showcased the shared heritage of the two nations. Here are a few noteworthy examples:
In November, 2024 a 12- member team of the Department of Fine Arts of the University of Kelaniya performed the folk dances of Sri Lanka at the 8th International Folk Dance Festival in New Delhi. The team also performed Sri Lankan dances in Varanasi and Chandigarh.
Another nine-member troupe of dancers from the SIBA Campus, Kandy was sponsored by the Government of Odisha to perform Kandyan Dance at the inaugural event of Bali Yatra 2024 at Cuttak, Odisha.
In 2023 and 2024 a lot of teams of performing arts and Indic knowledge were sent to India by the Swami Vivekananda Cultural Centre of the High Commission of India, Colombo. It includes teams from the Sri Palee Campus of University of Colombo, Swamy Vipulananda Institute of Aesthetic Studies of the Eastern University; State Music Ensemble of the Ministry of Cultural Affairs, Hindu Ladies College.
The students from the University of Kelaniya, University of Sabaragamuwa, University of Sri Jayewardenepura and Rajarata University in Anuradhapura were sent for Visva Hindi Yatra and Buddha Bhumi Vandan Yatra in 2023.
14- Sri Lankan scholars from seven public universities were also sponsored to participate at the “Knowledge-India Convention” of the Indian Council For Cultural Relations held in New Delhi from 4 to 6 December, 2023.
In 2024, 36 Sri Lankan students of Hindi were provided fully-funded scholarships to study in India and the selected students include six from the University of Kelaniya, four each from the Swami Vivekananda Cultural Centre, University of Sri Jayewardenepura and Rajarata University in Anuradhapura, two each from the Sri Palee campus of the University of Colombo, Buddhist and Pali University, University of Sabaragamuwa and University College of Matara and three from the Jethavanarama Buddhist Monastery. Hindi enjoys wide-spread affection of students and people in Sri Lanka and is being taught in almost 100 institutions including renowned schools and Universities of Sri Lanka. The Centre has been coordinating this scholarship since 2011. In the last 13 years, over 170 students from Sri Lanka have been awarded this scholarship titled “Propagation of Hindi Abroad” of the Central Institute of Hindi in Agra.
Indian classical dance artistes and Sri Lankan Kandyan dancers have collaborated on stage to present unique dance productions blending classical Indian and Sri Lankan traditions.
In October 2023, a unique art exhibition was organised titled ‘Chitralekha’ featuring about 30 Sri Lankan contemporary artists studied in India. Indian and Sri Lankan literary scholars have worked together to translate works of literature, such as ancient epics and modern poetry, between Tamil, Sinhala, and Hindi, fostering literary appreciation across borders. Indian and Sri Lankan poets have participated in bilingual poetry recitals, celebrating linguistic diversity and shared human experiences. Indian Film Festivals in Sri Lanka often feature panel discussions and workshops where Indian filmmakers interact with Sri Lankan counterparts, inspiring cross-cultural storytelling. Sri Lankan dancers and musicians frequently perform at cultural events organised in India, such as the International Dance Festivals, showcasing their unique traditions.
These collaborations have been instrumental in celebrating cultural commonalities while respecting and learning from differences, thereby deepening the bond between the two nations.
Q: What are the new programs scheduled for 2025?
A: Apart from the routine events, the SVCC would like to organise a few events in 2025 including collaboration with the Galle Literary Festival, Colombo International Theatre Festival and the Jaffna Cinema Festival. The Centre is planning to organise the first ever Bharat-Sri Lanka Hindi Sammelan in January, a theatre performance with artistes from institutions such as the National School of Drama, Natyashastra Mahotsav, a Sanskrit Conference.
