Prime Minister Narendra Modi is currently on a visit to South Africa, where he met members of the Indian community on Friday. Modi arrived in Johannesburg for the G20 Summit, and upon his arrival, he was greeted with a special cultural performance. South African artistes presented the historic indentured labour song Ganga Maiya, a melody deeply rooted in the heritage of early Indian migrants.

PM Modi, visibly moved, listened with great interest and praised the performers. Calling it a joyful and emotional moment, he later shared a video of the performance on X, capturing the heartfelt tribute. Modi noted that the song reflects the courage, memories, and resilience of the first Indian settlers in South Africa.

PM Modi posts video online
The Prime Minister also shared the performance on Instagram, writing:
“Watching the performance of the song ‘Ganga Maiya’ by the South African indentured labourers in Johannesburg was a very joyful and emotional experience.”

In his post on X, he added that hearing the song sung in Tamil made the moment even more unique. The rendition, he said, beautifully showcased the rich linguistic diversity of the Indian-origin community in South Africa.

Why the song matters
Ganga Maiya holds a deep emotional connection for South African Indians. It is a traditional Bhojpuri-origin song that was kept alive by indentured labourers who were taken to South Africa decades ago. Reflecting on its cultural significance, PM Modi wrote:
“This song captures the spirit of hope and unwavering courage of those who came here generations ago. Through songs and hymns like these, they kept India alive in their hearts.”