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The Indian cultural group showcased their well-choreographed dance moves that left the crowd begging for more.
The show started at 7pm with Umkhathi Cultural Group kicking off with a Kalanga amabhiza dance.
Their highly energetic dance moves kept the crowd on the edges of their seats as their Indian counterparts cheered them on.
Their second piece was the Batswana sepata dance.
Afterwards, a 12-member Punjabi Academy led by Major Singh went on stage in colourful Indian outfits, with drums, flutes and other musical instruments.
Six men from the group performed the Bhangra dance alongside their female counterparts who did the Giddha dance.
Both dances are used in courtship and also to celebrate marriage.
Their dances had a mixture of a high, energetic tone of voice, singing folk songs fiercely and added, random noises to their singing.
They played a dhol which is a drum and a percussion instrument the chimta.
The men wore a chaadra which is a piece of cloth wrapped around the waist and a kurta, which is a long shirt.
In addition, the men wore a pagri which is a turban to cover their heads.
The women displayed feminine grace, elegance and elasticity while swinging and twisting the body, shaking the shoulders while bending knees and clapping.
Their costumes consisted of a salwar kameez, a tunic top and loose fitting pants or ghagra, a colourful long skirt.
The women were in heavy jewellery such as the mathapati on the forehead.
Speaking after the show, the Indian Embassy attaché Sandeep Kumar said the show was a success and promised that another cultural group from India would come to Zimbabwe.
He said the well travelled group was going back to India to rest.
“We had a wonderful time here and we shall have another group that would come to the country and perform like this. The Punjabi Academy will travel back to India so that they can rest from their long tour of Zimbabwe,” said Kumar.
Leader of the group, Singh said he has been playing around the world for the past 40 years.
He said it was his first time being in Africa and would like to come back.
“I have been doing this for 40 years and this is my first time in Africa and we performed in Zimbabwe. We have travelled to 76 states showcasing the talent and the experience here was great,” said Singh.
He said the just-ended Hifa was hectic as they had performances everyday of the seven-day annual event.
Director of Amakhosi cultural centre Cont Mhlanga said it was pleasing to note that relations with the Indian embassy were growing every year.
“This is the second group to come and visit us courtesy of the Indian Embassy. Our relations are getting stronger and they are growing,” he said.
Online Reporter