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IndiaHaven: Celebrating the historic bond between India and Poland through art and compassion

IndiaHaven: Celebrating the historic bond between India and Poland through art and compassion

During his historic visit to Poland back in August, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited a memorial to an Indian ruler who sheltered Polish children during the Second World War. To commemorate the story of love, trust, and respect linking the two countries, the PM lay a wreath on the memorial before sharing on X: “Humanity and compassion are vital foundations of a just and peaceful world. The Jam Saheb of Nawanagar Memorial in Warsaw highlights the humanitarian contribution of Jam Saheb Digvijaysinhji Ranjitsinhji Jadeja, who ensured shelter as well as care to Polish children left homeless due to the Second World War. Jam Saheb is fondly remembered in Poland as Dobry Maharaja.”
Now, The Polish Institute in New Delhi, in collaboration with the Nil Desperandum Foundation and the Embassy of the Republic of Poland, has come up with an exhibition titled ‘IndiaHaven: Poles in India During World War II.’ The exhibition recently opened at the National School of Drama in New Delhi, commemorating the historical connection forged over 80 years ago when the Maharajas of Nawanagar and Kolhapur welcomed the fleeing Polish refugees to India. This year also marks the completion of 70 years of diplomatic relations between the two nations.
Through a collection of archival photographs and narratives, the exhibition reveals how the compassion and generosity of the ‘Good Maharajas’ of Nawanagar and Kolhapur, along with local communities, transcended cultural, religious, and social boundaries, providing Polish refugees with a second home. This poignant display reminds us that, despite geographical distance, the histories of India and Poland intersect in meaningful and enduring ways.
“As co-curator of the IndiaHaven exhibition, I am deeply moved by the powerful and often untold stories of the children from Balachadi and Kolhapur,” said Magdalena Filipczuk, Acting Director, Polish Institute New Delhi. “Through my research and interactions with their descendants, I have seen how memories of life in these camps remain cherished as some of the happiest moments of their lives.”
Monika Kowaleczko-Szumowska added, “Over 80 years ago, wartime India offered a second homeland to thousands of Poles, opening its arms to help them rebuild their lives. Today, this exhibition celebrates that extraordinary bond. The stories of Farrah Khan, Imogene Salva, and Apeksha Niranjan remind us of the compassion of the Indian Maharajas and people during WWII and the enduring ties between our nations.”
“This is not just history; it is a living testament to tolerance, diversity, and the transformative power of compassion,” Filipczuk concluded. “It’s a success story of a community that welcomed those in need, offering refuge and a space for cultures to thrive together.”
A key highlight of the event was a special performance by Apeksha Niranjan, a renowned Bharatnatyam dancer and granddaughter of Wanda Nowicka. Her performance, ‘When Poland Meets India,’ blended the elegance of Bharatnatyam with traditional Polish folk music, paying tribute to Maharaja Digvijay Singh of Jamnagar and celebrating the universal, transcultural language of art.
The event also featured powerful speeches and a recitation of a Wisława Szymborska poem. The evening also showcased a harmonious blend of Polish and Indian music, embodying the cultural confluence of the two countries. Supported by the Polish Embassy and other esteemed organizations, the exhibition includes workshops and academic collaborations, promising a rich cultural exchange as it travels to other cities in India. The exhibition and performance are part of a series of events marking the 70th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Poland and India, underscoring the deep friendship and shared history between the two nations.
Sebastian Domżalski, Chargé d’Affaires, Embassy of the Republic of Poland in India, remarked, “Earlier this year, the visit of Prime Minister Narendra Modi to Poland was a historic moment in our partnership, during which we elevated our relations to a strategic level. In Warsaw, Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi paid tribute to Jamsaheb of Nawanagar and laid a wreath at The Dobry Maharaja Memorial. The Prime Minister’s visit to the memorial highlighted a special historical connection between India and Poland that continues to be cherished by the people of the two countries.”

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