Cultural Fusion: The Welsh Government & Wales Tamil Sangam proudly present a beautiful cultural fusion – From St David’s Cymru to India

Memo Arts Centre, Gladstone Road, Barry on 5th March 2026

The St David’s Fusion Celebration has truly been a one-of-a-kind pilot project, bringing together the rich traditions of Wales and India in a vibrant and meaningful way.

It gives me immense pride and joy to stand before you today and reflect on what has been a truly unique celebration—our Cultural Fusion project, uniting the spirit of St David’s Day with the richness of Indian heritage.

When I first came across this opportunity, I remember thinking: this is exactly what we already live and breathe every day. Coming from Mumbai, India, we grow up embracing diversity. From a very young age, we learn our mother tongue, then English, then our national and regional languages, and often even foreign languages later on. We share food, traditions, and stories across cultures.

And here in our adopted home, Wales, we continue that same journey—learning, sharing, and celebrating together.

This project has been a beautiful reflection of that journey.

My team, our dance teacher Megan Lloyd, and I are honoured and grateful to all the esteemed guests who graciously joined us: Lord Lieutenant Morfudd Meredith, Deputy Lord Lieutenant Karen Jones, Jane Hutt MS, Julie Morgan MS, Sarah Murphy MS, Mr and Mrs Raj Agarwal – Honorary Consul of India for Wales, the Mayor of the Vale of Glamorgan Naomi Marshallsea, Councillors Helen Payne and Benny Augustine, Christine Boston (Chief Executive, GVS), Tom Haigg (South Wales Police), Drs Karpagam and Bharni, Mr Horton and the Air Cadets.

Over four dedicated workshop sessions, our dancers explored the origins of Welsh clog dancing—learning its history, costumes, language, and most importantly, its vibrant rhythm. They mastered both the basic and intricate steps, understanding the patterns of Welsh folk dance and how movement flows through space.

What made this project truly special was the fusion. We brought together Welsh clog dancing and Bharatanatyam—two powerful dance traditions rooted in rhythm and storytelling. Watching the dancers blend these styles so seamlessly was nothing short of magical. The stamping beats of clog dancing and the expressive footwork of Bharatanatyam came together in perfect harmony.

But the impact of this project did not stop there.

Thanks to the support we received, we were able to expand this initiative:

Our younger dancers experienced a unique Indo-Welsh classical fusion

And wonderfully, our parents joined in too

What began as simply watching their children soon turned into active participation. Through conversations, laughter, and a little encouragement, they stepped forward to learn a traditional Welsh folk dance. Their enthusiasm was infectious, and their performance was truly heartwarming.

The journey continued beyond today. Our dancers had the incredible opportunity to perform alongside a live Welsh folk band—an experience they will cherish forever. They also brought this fusion to wider audiences, proudly showcasing what cultural unity looks like in action.

This is what integration truly means—not just living side by side, but learning from one another, celebrating together, and creating something new and beautiful.

Today’s finale perfectly captured that spirit: a joyful group performance with parents and children together, and a powerful moment symbolised by waving both the Welsh and Indian flags—standing not as separate identities, but as one united community.

And of course, no celebration is complete without food. A heartfelt thank you to everyone who prepared the delicious dishes that added yet another layer of fusion to this event. The event featured wonderful cuisine prepared by Anand and Paneer of KALKI Indian Restaurant & Bar—truly finger-licking food, enjoyed by all.

Before we close, we come to a very special highlight of the evening.

We had the honour of an impromptu felicitation of three outstanding young individuals from our community. We recognised:

Ishwarya Sai Mohan Dass, for exceptional achievement in 10m Air Rifle Shooting, along with excellence in dance and academics

Saiguhan, a true role model for young minds, inspiring others through dedication and character—a young mathematical prodigy

And Akhil Kannan, for remarkable success in Under-13 and Under-15 international badminton tournaments

What made this moment unforgettable was not just their achievements, but the spirit they carried. Akhil, the young star’s ever-radiant smile, lit up the entire room—it was truly magical, and a moment I will personally never forget.

These recognitions remind us why initiatives like this matter. Our young people are full of talent, potential, and promise. It is our collective responsibility to nurture, support, and provide them with opportunities to shine.

We are committed to continuing this journey—seeking funding, building platforms, and encouraging our next generation to excel in every field, whether in sports, arts, academics, or beyond.

Because when we invest in our youth, we invest in the future.

Before I conclude, I would like to extend my sincere gratitude to all our distinguished guests, supporters, teachers, parents, and most importantly, our talented dancers. Your dedication, passion, and openness made this project a success.

This is more than just a performance—it is a legacy. A reminder that when cultures come together, they do not lose their identity—they enrich one another.

Let us continue to build bridges, celebrate diversity, and create spaces where everyone feels they belong.

Final Reflection:

This was more than just a performance—it was integration in action.

A celebration of identity, heritage, and community.

A beautiful reminder that when cultures meet, they do not clash—they create something extraordinary.