In a remarkable celebration of cultural unity, Jivanmukta, an innovative artistic movement founded by Kerolin Govender, took centre stage at the 10th India-International Dance and Music Festival during the Maha Kumbh Mela 2025 last month.
Jivanmukta was invited by the Indian Council for Cultural Relations (ICCR), New Delhi, to perform at the dance and music festival during the Maha Kumbh Mela in Prayagra.
This historic event, recognised as the world’s largest religious gathering and attracting over 450 million people, brought together artists from 11 nations—Vietnam, South Africa, Rwanda, Maldives, Malaysia, Fiji, Bangladesh, Mongolia, Russia, Kyrgyzstan and India—showcasing the rich tapestry of global heritage.
Jivanmukta’s unique blend of Indian and African musical traditions captivated audiences across India, leaving an indelible mark on the festival.
The group’s magic was created by the seamless collaboration of South Africa’s most talented artists, including classically trained vocalist Kerolin Govender, Indigenous African vocalist and storyteller Zawadi Yamungu, versatile composer Rajive Mohan, and master percussionist Veedhern Punwasi. Their performances wove together the deep rhythms of Africa and the intricate melodies of India, resulting in an extraordinary and memorable musical experience.
“We just did something that’s once in a lifetime.
“Performing at the Maha Kumbh Mela—an event that happens once every 144 years—was a remarkable and blessed moment for us. From township concerts to the BRICS summit, BBC News features, and now international stages, we’ve grown while staying true to our roots. Our music, grounded in ubuntu—our shared humanity—strives to inspire unity and social cohesion,” Govender said.
Jivanmukta performed at Jupiter Hall, Indira Gandhi Pratishthan, Lucknow; the Maha Kumbh Mela, Prayagraj; State Museum, Hotwar, Ranchi, Jharkhand; Indian Institute of Management, Ranchi, Jharkhand; and the grand finale at Baansera Park, New Delhi.
Govender said Jivanmukta was asked to perform at the main finale gala event even though they were not originally on the program.
He was called by Rani Khanum, a renowned Kathak dancer, who was also their choreographer and Amit Sahai Mathur, program director for ICCR Ministry of External Affairs, after they witnessed their Jivanmukta production in Ranchi, Jharkhand.
“The audience loved our performance.”
Govender said a proud moment came when India’s External Affairs Minister Dr Subrahmanyam Jaishankar, recognised Jivanmukta’s role in fostering cultural diplomacy.
Jivanmukta’s mission to promote Indo-African voices globally is furthered by this recognition, which not only honours the artists but also encourages future partnerships and greater cultural interaction, Govender stated.
Govender said the ministers remarked that their Indo-African performances uniquely blended the cultures of India and South Africa, creating something new for South African identity.
Jivanmukta is dedicated to uniting people through the universal languages of music and art. By blending Indian and African musical traditions, Jivanmukta creates a powerful fusion of rhythm, melody, and cultural expression.
Govender said their work is based on fostering Indo-African collaborations and building bridges between communities. The group performs Indian and African music.
He explained that initially, they took struggle hero songs like those by Miriam Makeba, looked at compositions done in the Indian language and performed them as one item. Later they took Indian songs, translated them into isiZulu and performed them in Hindi and isiZulu and then vice versa.
“Our whole objective was to have people from diverse communities sitting in one auditorium and listening to one song. And not judging it based on its language or where it came from but enjoying art for the sake of just enjoying art,” Govender said.