OTTAWA, Canada (Diya TV) — Celebrating the teachings of the Bhagavad Gita, the Indian High Commission in Ottawa hosted “Uttar ~ Answer,” a thematic musical dance ballet, at Carleton University’s Kailash Mital Theatre. The event marked India’s International Gita Mahotsav 2025, highlighting the spiritual and philosophical wisdom of one of India’s most cherished texts.
The performance, organized in collaboration with Jeevan Jyoti Performing Arts (JJPA), captivated the audience with a blend of music, dance, and storytelling. It showcased the timeless dialogue between Lord Krishna and Arjun on the battlefield of Kurukshetra. Through expressive choreography, the ballet explored themes of truth, duty, detachment, and reconciliation. The event translated verses of the Gita into movement, rhythm, and emotion, making the ancient teachings accessible to modern audiences.
Set at the onset of a devastating war, the ballet illustrated the moral dilemmas and philosophical insights that Arjun faced in the Mahabharata. Each segment of the performance drew inspiration from the Gita’s teachings, reflecting on human existence, responsibility, and inner growth. The Indian High Commission in Ottawa shared that the performance was a “profound exchange between two protagonists on truth, duty, detachment, reconciliation, and the deeper philosophical questions of human existence.”
Indian High Commissioner to Canada Dinesh K. Patnaik addressed the gathering, emphasizing the Gita’s relevance in modern life. He said the scripture is not only spiritual wisdom but also a living cultural heritage. Its teachings inspire harmony, responsibility, and resilience, he added, guiding individuals to lead meaningful lives in contemporary society.
International Gita Mahotsav 2025 is being celebrated by Indian missions worldwide. The festival highlights the spiritual and philosophical teachings of the Bhagavad Gita, promoting its messages of duty, righteousness, and knowledge. The Mahotsav is observed on Ekadashi, the 11th lunar day of the Shukla Paksha in the month of Margashirsha. According to tradition, Lord Krishna delivered the eternal sermons of the Gita to Arjun on this day on the battlefield of Kurukshetra.
In Canada, the celebrations extend beyond Ottawa. Earlier, on December 6, Divya Jyoti Jagrati Sansthan hosted the International Gita Mahotsav in Toronto. The event featured live devotional bhajans, stage plays, and spiritual discourses. Indian Consul in Toronto, Kuljeet Singh Arora, highlighted the Gita’s philosophy, drawing connections between its teachings and values such as diplomacy, balance, and service.
The International Gita Mahotsav serves as a platform to share India’s cultural and spiritual heritage globally. By presenting the Gita through music and dance, the events make its teachings accessible and relatable. Audiences gain insight into the ethical and philosophical principles that have guided generations. The celebrations also emphasize the universal appeal of the Gita’s messages, which address the human quest for purpose, moral clarity, and inner peace.
