The Hindu Huddle ended its two-day event with a captivating musical show by Nirupama Rao,former Foreign Secretary of India. Rao was joined by Soundarie David Rodrigo,renowned Sri Lankan pianist, blending music and diplomacy.
Rao's set, “Counterpoint: A Life in Diplomacy,Poetry and Music,” featured songs linked to her life. Classics like Bob Dylan’s “Farewell Angelina,” Stephen Foster’s “Beautiful Dreamer,” and Charlie Chaplin’s “Smile” were chosen. Not for fame, but for memories they stirred.
Looking back,Rao said, “There are many ways to tell stories of life... But when I look back today at my own journey,I remember songs.” Music's been her constant,spanning countries like Beijing,Colombo,Lima,Moscow,and Washington. “As daughter of an Indian Army officer, I grew up moving across India, learning early home could be many places,” she noted.
It was a journey through musical styles,with Broadway hits, American jazz, and folk songs. Rao said songs were linked by memories of places and moments. “Together,they form soundtrack of a life lived across cultures and continents,” she stated.
Starting with “Beautiful Dreamer,” Rao took audience around globe. The lineup had “Smile,” from Chaplin’s 1936 film Modern Times,still echoing hope . Broadway's “Something Wonderful” also stood out, speaking to love and understanding .
Rao highlighted music in diplomacy as a “language one can trust,” calling it the “last act of diplomacy.” She ended with Dylan’s “Farewell Angelina,” a haunting reflection on a world in turmoil, fitting Huddle’s theme “A World in Transition.”
Rao's soulful voice and Rodrigo's piano marked a poetic end to The Hindu Huddle 2026. Event presented by Sami-Sabinsa Group and co-powered by Government of Telangana,with Khaja Bandanawaz University and others.
Audience applause showed music and diplomacy left mark, capturing essence of discussions over two days. The Hindu Huddle addressed global issues but also celebrated music's unifying power…
