Italian artists perform Hamsadhwani raga for PM Modi in Rome
Synopsis
Five Italian musicians — playing Santoor, Sitar, Bansuri, and Tabla — performed the 18th-century Hamsadhwani raga to welcome PM Modi in Rome, a moment he shared on X as evidence that Indian classical music is finding a genuine audience in Europe. The performers said they could feel Modi clapping along — a rare cultural exchange at the intersection of diplomacy and music.
Key Takeaways
PM Narendra Modi was welcomed in Rome on 20 May with a live Hamsadhwani raga performance by five Italian musicians.
The performers were Valerio Bruni (Santoor), Leo Vertunni (Sitar), Simone Mattiello (Bansuri), Francesco Gherardi (Tabla), and Nicolo Melocchi (Bansuri).
Hamsadhwani is an 18th-century pentatonic raga created by Carnatic composer Ramaswami Dikshitar , used across both Carnatic and Hindustani traditions.
Modi shared a video of the performance on X , saying Indian music is 'getting very popular in Italy'.
The Rome stop was the final leg of Modi's five-nation tour; he was received by Italian PM Giorgia Meloni .
Prime Minister Narendra Modi was welcomed in Rome with a live performance of the Hamsadhwani raga by five Italian classical musicians during his visit to Italy on 20 May, drawing praise from the Prime Minister for the growing reach of Indian classical music abroad.
The Performance and the Performers
The cultural welcome featured five Italian artists — Valerio Bruni on Santoor, Leo Vertunni on Sitar, Simone Mattiello on Bansuri, Francesco Gherardi on Tabla, and Nicolo Melocchi on Bansuri. The ensemble performed Hamsadhwani, a pentatonic raga shared by both Carnatic and Hindustani classical traditions, created in the 18th century by Carnatic composer Ramaswami Dikshitar. The raga, whose name translates to 'the cry of the swan', is traditionally used for opening concerts and invocations, making it a fitting choice for a ceremonial welcome.
What PM Modi Said
Sharing a video of the performance on X, Prime Minister Modi said, 'Indian music is getting very popular in Italy. During the community welcome in Rome last evening, five Italian artistes performed the Hamsadhwani. Compliments to Mr Valerio Bruni (Santoor), Mr Leo Vertunni (Sitar), Mr Simone Mattiello (Bansuri), Mr Francesco Gherardi (Tabla) and Mr Nicolo Mellochi (Bansuri).'
Artists React to the Moment
Francesco Gherardi described the Prime Minister's active engagement during the performance. 'His participation was there; we could feel it. He was clapping during the performance and gave us a lot of good vibes. We were able to shake hands with him and also had nice pictures together,' Gherardi said.
Simone Mattiello called the event joyful and noted the connection he felt with the audience. 'Our performance was very joyful, and I think he connected with us. He clapped, so I think he enjoyed it,' Mattiello said. Nicolo Melocchi described it as a 'great opportunity' to perform before the Prime Minister, while Valerio Bruni noted that Modi appeared genuinely enthusiastic throughout the cultural presentation.
Context: Modi's Five-Nation Tour
Prime Minister Modi arrived in Rome on Tuesday (local time) for the final leg of his five-nation tour, where he was warmly received by Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni. The cultural welcome with Indian classical instruments underscores the soft-power dimension of the visit, reflecting deepening people-to-people ties between India and Italy. Notably, Hamsadhwani's cross-tradition appeal — bridging both Carnatic and Hindustani schools — made the choice of raga itself a statement on Indian music's universal character.
Point of View
Long confined to diaspora circles abroad, is now appearing in formal diplomatic welcomes, performed by non-Indian artists who have spent years mastering the instruments. That five Italians could credibly play Santoor, Sitar, Tabla, and Bansuri together speaks to a slow but real globalisation of the form. Modi's choice to amplify this on X — naming each artist individually — is also a studied move: it personalises diplomacy and generates goodwill that no bilateral communiqué can replicate.
NationPress
8 Aug 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Hamsadhwani raga performed for PM Modi in Rome?
Hamsadhwani is a pentatonic raga shared by both Carnatic and Hindustani classical music traditions, created in the 18th century by Carnatic composer Ramaswami Dikshitar. Its name means 'the cry of the swan' and it is traditionally used for opening concerts and auspicious invocations.
Who were the Italian artists who performed for PM Modi?
The five Italian artists were Valerio Bruni on Santoor, Leo Vertunni on Sitar, Simone Mattiello on Bansuri, Francesco Gherardi on Tabla, and Nicolo Melocchi on Bansuri. They performed during a community welcome event in Rome on the evening of 19 May.
What did PM Modi say about the performance?
PM Modi shared a video of the performance on X, saying 'Indian music is getting very popular in Italy' and individually complimenting each of the five artists by name and instrument.
What was the occasion for PM Modi's Rome visit?
PM Modi arrived in Rome on Tuesday local time for the final leg of his five-nation tour. He was received by Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, and the cultural welcome with Indian classical instruments formed part of the ceremonial reception.
How did the Italian performers describe meeting PM Modi?
The artists said Modi actively engaged with the performance — clapping along and giving 'good vibes', according to Francesco Gherardi. Simone Mattiello said the Prime Minister appeared to connect with the performers, while Nicolo Melocchi called it a 'great opportunity' to perform before him.
