Rapper Hanumankind regaled thousands of spectators as part of the series of cultural performances at the 'Modi and US' event at the Nassau Coliseum, Long Island on Sunday.
HanuMankind, whose real name is Sooraj Cherukat, left the audience buzzing with his dynamic performance in New York. Numerous clips of his high-energy set have gone viral online.
PM Modi hugged HanuMankind
Following his performance, HanuMankind received special recognition from Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who greeted him with a handshake and a warm hug. Modi even said "Jai Hanuman" before embracing the rapper.
HanuMankind, best known for hits like 'Big Dawgs,' 'Rush Hour,' 'Genghis,' and 'Go to Sleep,' is quickly making his mark in mainstream hip-hop. His performance was one of many highlights of the night, as the event celebrated the rich cultural diversity of India.
Prime Minister Modi later shared a video from the event on his Instagram, captioning it, "Thank you, New York! These are glimpses from the memorable community programme."
Other performances at the event
The event, titled “The Echoes of India – A Journey Through Art and Tradition”, featured performances from 382 renowned artists, both national and international.
Among the standout acts was Gujarati singer Aditya Gadhvi, who performed the patriotic song "Har Ghar Tiranga" alongside renowned composer DSP, famed for his work in Pushpa: The Rise.
Gadhvi shared a heartwarming moment with Modi, posting a photo of their hug on Instagram with the caption, "Moment captured. Prime Minister of India & Aditya Gadhvi in New York 2024."
In a separate post, Gadhvi expressed his pride in representing Gujarat on such a prestigious platform, writing, "It is an honour to perform on this grand stage." He added, "American Indians from across the country were present, and four of us were invited to perform before the Prime Minister’s arrival."
DSP, who also performed, shared a touching clip on his Instagram Stories, showing the moment Modi shook his hand and then pulled him in for a hug. He captioned the post "Har Ghar Tiranga" to reflect the spirit of the performance.
Other notable artists at the event included Grammy-nominated singer Chandrika Tandon, STAR Voice of India winner Aishwarya Majumdar, Instagram sensation Ricky Pond, and singer Rex D'Souza. The night was a vibrant celebration of India’s cultural diversity, with 117 artists delivering captivating performances. Attendees were treated to a mix of classical, folk, modern, and fusion styles, paying homage to India’s rich heritage.