An interesting cultural moment was witnessed at Bihar Diwas 2026 celebrations at the Indian Embassy in Zambia. Zambian nationals took the stage and performed a lively dance to the popular Bhojpuri song “Lollipop Lagelu”. The performance rapidly went viral online and became a symbol of India’s growing cultural influence abroad.
The event was organized to observe Bihar Diwas, the day for the founding of Bihar State. The embassy featured cultural programs on Indian traditions and music and dance. But the highlight of the evening was the Zambian performers showing Bhojpuri culture with their energetic dance moves.
Videos show the group of people in colorful attire dancing to the beat of the song, and people in the audience (not just Indian diplomats but members of the diaspora and the local community) cheering. It was a wonderful show with great entertainment and a very cultural exchange.
The Bhojpuri song “Lollipop Lagelu” has been popular in India in the past few decades and is popular in Bihar and Uttar Pradesh. It has come to be internationally popular and its songs are frequently played at weddings, parties, and cultural events. To hear Zambian nationals singing it in Bihar Diwas celebrations showed how Indian regional music transcends borders and connects people worldwide.
The performance was referred to as a ‘soft power win’ on social media by Indians. Soft power is the ability of a country to influence others through culture, values, and ideas as opposed to force. In this case, the joy of Bhojpuri music became a bridge between India and Zambia and thus strengthened cultural ties.
The video of the dance has been widely shared and many others praised the performers for their enthusiasm and respect for Indian culture. Some users said the events show how India’s cultural exports - from Bollywood to regional songs - are celebrated globally. Some also said that Bihar was proud.
A Bihar Diwas celebration in Zambia was more than an embassy affair. It was a reminder that culture is the glue that connects people from all over the world. The dance to “Lollipop Lagelu” would go down in history as a joyous celebration of friendship between India and Zambia, and one that proves music doesn’t have boundaries.
