'Miracle of mantra': Slovak musician inspired by India's spirituality performs for PM Modi's welcome
Bratislava, June 15
A Slovak musician who says he discovered the "miracle of mantra" during a visit to India was among the artists who performed for Prime Minister Narendra Modi during his grand welcome in Bratislava, highlighting the growing cultural bonds between India and Slovakia during the Indian leader's historic visit to the country.
Prime Minister Modi arrived in the Slovak capital on Sunday evening on a three-day visit at the invitation of Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico. Upon his arrival, he was welcomed by Slovak Foreign Minister Juraj Blanar and greeted with a series of cultural performances by local artists.
One of the highlights of the reception was a spiritual performance by the Slovak musical ensemble Mahadeva Kirtan Project. Speaking to ANI, the group's founder, Marek Zilinec, said it was a privilege to perform before Prime Minister Modi.
"It was an honour, and we are thankful that we could play for PM Modi," Zilinec said.
Recalling how India inspired him to create the ensemble, Zilinec said his exposure to Indian spiritual music left a lasting impression on him.
"When I first visited India and listened to the spiritual music and mantras there, I discovered the miracle of mantra, which gave me inspiration--something that no other music gives me. Although I have studied music and I am a professional musician here in Slovakia, no other music offers me such beauty as mantras do. I wanted to perform here and bring the miracle of mantra through music," he said.
Another key cultural presentation came from the renowned Lucnica Ensemble, which performed a choral rendition of 'Vande Mataram' in honour of the Prime Minister's visit.
According to members of the group, PM Modi appreciated both the performance and the artists' pronunciation of the national song.
"It was a wonderful experience. He was very polite and grateful to us. It was especially memorable because I had never performed before a Prime Minister before," a member of the ensemble told ANI.
The Lucnica Ensemble had earlier performed the Indian national anthem during President Droupadi Murmu's visit to Slovakia in 2025.
The Prime Minister also received a warm welcome from members of the Indian diaspora. Hundreds of community members gathered outside the hotel in Bratislava, greeting him with chants of "Bharat Mata Ki Jai" and "Vande Mataram."
Members of the Indian community working across Slovakia described their interaction with the Prime Minister as memorable and emotional.
The visit marks the first-ever trip by an Indian Prime Minister to Slovakia since the country's independence in 1993 and is expected to further strengthen bilateral relations across political, economic and cultural spheres.
— ANI
Reader Comments
Heartwarming to see PM Modi being welcomed with such cultural sensitivity - Vande Mataram sung by a Slovak ensemble! This is the kind of cultural diplomacy that builds real connections between nations. Proud moment for India 🇮🇳
While the cultural exchange is nice, I think we should focus more on the actual outcomes of this visit - trade deals, technology partnerships, and strategic ties. Soft power is important but substance matters more. Hope the visit brings concrete benefits for both countries.
I'm actually surprised - mantras reaching Slovakia? That's incredible! Our culture has so much depth, and it's wonderful when foreigners appreciate it genuinely. This musician's journey from "discovering the miracle of mantra" to performing for our PM shows how Indian spirituality transcends borders. 😊
As someone who's studied Indian classical music, it's amazing to see how Western musicians are embracing Indian spiritual music. The Mahadeva Kirtan Project sounds fascinating - would love to hear their fusion of Slovak and Indian elements! This is cultural exchange at its finest.
The diaspora greeting outside the hotel with chants of Bharat Mata Ki Jai - that's what makes our culture so strong. Wherever we go, we carry India with us. PM Modi's first-ever visit to Slovakia since 1993 is historic indeed! 🇮🇳
J