WASHINGTON, D.C. – American and Hollywood Singer/Actress Mary Millben will travel to India for her first, official visit in celebration of the 75th Anniversary of India’s Independence Day, Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav.
Formally invited by the Government of India Ministry of External Affairs and Ministry of Culture/Indian Council for Cultural Relations (ICCR), Mary will be an official guest representing the United States at the official 75th Independence Day celebration event on August 15th and participate in the cultural energy of India’s Independence Day.
“Following in the footsteps of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and his pilgrimage to India in 1959, I am honored to represent the United States as a cultural ambassador for the 75th Anniversary celebration of India’s Independence. Moreover, I am thrilled to finally experience this treasured motherland, celebrate my meaningful relationship with India and Indian communities across the world, and highlight the important democratic alliance between the United States and India during this important observance of India’s Independence,” said Millben.
Mary’s first trip to India makes history. Mary is the first American and African American artist to be invited to India by the Government of India Indian Council for Cultural Relations (ICCR) and represent the United States for India’s Independence Day observance and for an audience of 1.4 billion people.
As I prepare for my first trip to India, my heart’s sentiments echo Dr. King’s words, “To other countries, I may go as a tourist, but to India, I come as a pilgrim,” said Millben.
“August 15th marks an important day in India, for Indian Americans, and for Indians all over the world. Ahead of my arrival to India, I want to send my warmth to Her Excellency President Droupadi Murmu, His Excellency and Prime Minister Narendra Modi, to His Excellency and Ambassador Tarajit Singh Sandhu, and to all of India. I look forward to celebrating with you soon in India. Our hearts are united in the spirit of freedom. America and India, the world’s two largest democracies, share the value of freedom,” said Millben
Accompanied by Mrs. Priya Samant, Co-Founder/CEO of NFT global company Abris.io and a strategic advisor on U.S.-India relations, Mary will also perform in India for the first time, making an appearance at the Indiaspora Global Forum to celebrate 75th year of India’s Independence and 10th year of Indiaspora. Invited by Indiaspora Founder MR Rangaswami, Mary will open the Forum performing the Indian National Anthem and then jointly perform with international piano prodigy Lydian Nadhaswaram on the evening of August 10th. Lydian Nadhaswaram is a young, India musician from Chennai, Tamil Nadu who won ‘The World's Best’ on CBS and, earning a prize money of $1 million.
India was first introduced to Mary’s artistry during the 2020 celebration of India’s 74th Independence Day – a virtual performance of India’s National Anthem. Followed was Mary’s moving performance for the 2020 Diwali observance including releasing an original and stirring single of ‘Om Jai Jagdish Hare’. Now viewed by millions, music for both performances is by Grammy nominated composer and Canadian Screen Award nominee Daryl Bennett alongside Hindi language coaching from former Embassy of India (USA) First Cultural Diplomat Dr. Moxraj.
A former White House Presidential Appointee to President George W. Bush, Mary is now recognized as one of the world’s celebrated voices in music. Praised for her performances of both the American and Indian National Anthem, Mary has performed for three consecutive U.S. Presidents - President George W. Bush, President Barack Obama, and President Donald Trump, international royalty, and world leaders. Mary was featured at the 58th Presidential Inauguration Victory Celebration, The White House, the United States Congress, the 2016 RIO Olympics, the National Football League (NFL), National Basketball Association (NBA), Major League Baseball (MLB), off-Broadway, and in concert halls worldwide.
For consecutive U.S. Administrations, Mary has been formally recognized as a U.S. State Department cultural envoy and regarded as a cultural ambassador across the world for her effective leadership in cultural diplomacy, interfaith dialogue, and advocacy for global inclusion. Her performances for international governments have made her a trusted voice among world leaders. Moreover, Mary’s artistic career includes bipartisan support from the White House, U.S. Senate, and the U.S. House of Representatives leadership.
As a cultural ambassador across the globe, Mary is a singer who will make you love your country again. Her rousing arrangements of America’s patriotic music and international anthems evoke emotional response and stir patriotism universally. As Mary’s story is the American dream rooted in God, patriotism, and bringing the world together through love of country - so is now her brand in India – one noted for inspiring the Indian dream and patriotism through the commonalities of faith, freedom, and free enterprise.
“The fight for freedom and my platform as an entertainer is congruent. Working for a U.S. President and now having sung for three consecutive U.S. Presidents, I have had a front row seat to movements of freedom in America and across the world. As a participant in these movements, my appreciation for those freedom fighters who paved the way for freedom deepens. I love America, and I deeply love India. I commit to continuing my role as a cultural ambassador between our two great countries upholding the flag of freedom and democracy,” said Millben.
Mary is in Delhi August 9th – 16th and will make additional appearances in Uttar Pradesh and Mumbai August 17th-22nd.
Originally from Webpage: "dropbox.com."
CCD reprinted with permission.
