Press Release

Embassy of India in Azerbaijan Celebrates Hindi Day with Special Programme in Baku

Baku, 18 September 2026: The Embassy of India in Azerbaijan organised a special programme to mark Hindi Day at the Embassy premises in Baku on 18 September 2026. The event brought together a vibrant gathering of Hindi lovers from Azerbaijan, including professors and students of Hindi language, representatives of prominent media outlets, Azerbaijani citizens and key functionaries of Indian diaspora associations.

Addressing the gathering, Ambassador of India to Azerbaijan Shri Abhay Kumar highlighted the historical significance of Hindi Day, noting that on 14 September 1949, the Constituent Assembly of India adopted Hindi in the Devanagari script as the official language of the Union. He emphasised that Hindi is not merely a language but an important expression of India's rich culture, literature and diversity. Highlighting its beauty and expressive power, the Ambassador noted that Hindi enables the natural and effective expression of thoughts and emotions and has played an important unifying role among India's diverse linguistic communities. He also underlined the growing global interest in Hindi and its role in strengthening people-to-people connections. Referring to Azerbaijan, he noted that the growing interest in Hindi among Azerbaijani learners and enthusiasts is particularly encouraging and reflects the strong cultural affinity between the peoples of India and Azerbaijan.

The programme featured poetry recitations by Azerbaijani participants, who presented works by some of the renowned Hindi poets and writers, including Maithili Sharan Gupt, Ramdhari Singh Dinkar and Harivansh Rai Bachchan, among others. A Hindi song was also presented, adding a musical dimension to the celebrations and showcasing the participants' enthusiasm for the language and Indian culture.

Hindi is one of the world's most widely spoken and popular languages, with a growing presence beyond India. Universities and educational institutions in several countries offer dedicated Hindi language courses, while sizeable Hindi-speaking communities contribute to its continued global reach. Hindi literature, celebrated poets and writers, Indian cinema and popular music have all played an important role in taking the language to audiences across the world.

Azerbaijan itself is a living example of this enduring cultural connection. The works of literary figures such as Rabindranath Tagore have had a deep resonance among Azerbaijani readers, while Indian cinema and music have enjoyed a devoted following in the country for decades. From the popularity of Raj Kapoor in the early years of Indian cinema to the enduring appeal of stars such as Hema Malini and Amitabh Bachchan, generations of Azerbaijanis have developed a strong affinity for Indian films, songs and culture. Hindi is also taught to Azerbaijani students at the Azerbaijan University of Languages, while Hindi film songs continue to find their way into the playlists of Azerbaijani taxis and public spaces, reflecting the language's distinctive popular appeal.

The Embassy continues to promote Hindi and India's rich linguistic and cultural heritage in Azerbaijan through language-related initiatives, literary programmes, cinema screenings and other cultural activities. The Hindi Day celebration underscored the role of language and culture in bringing people together and further strengthening the close people-to-people ties between India and Azerbaijan.