Indian Nepali-speaking journalist Milan Bahadur Chettri showcases Nepali culture at Brazil’s grand festival

Indian Nepali-speaking journalist Milan Bahadur Chettri has made a significant contribution to promoting Nepali culture on the international stage. He recently played a key role in introducing Nepali music and traditions at one of the world’s most famous street festivals, which began in Rio de Janeiro on February 25 and concluded in São Paulo, Brazil, on March 1.

This was a historic moment for the festival, as it marked the first time a Hindi song was featured. Jyoti Kiran Shukla, Director of the Swami Vivekananda Cultural Center in Brazil, represented Indian culture at the event. Songs from different states of various countries were played for five to ten seconds each. However, due to Milan Bahadur Chettri’s efforts, a special dance performance was arranged for the Nepali song "Yo Darjeeling."

The song, sung by Rajni Rai and written and composed by Kumud Ranjan Giri, was arranged by Nishant Thapa, the Editor of DSTV, and directed by Sahadev Chamling. The inclusion of this performance was made possible with the support of the Indian Ambassador to Brazil, who played a key role in facilitating it.

Milan Bahadur Chettri’s efforts to bring Nepali culture to a global audience do not stop here. Looking ahead, he is preparing for the international G20 festival in South Africa and the COP 30 Summit, which will take place in Belem, Brazil, in November 2025. During these events, he aims to showcase Nepali music and traditions once again. Additionally, with the BRICS Summit set to be held in Brazil in July, he is working on multiple initiatives to highlight the cultural heritage of Nepali-speaking communities from Sikkim and Darjeeling on the global platform.