{"id":3468,"date":"2026-02-14T06:18:45","date_gmt":"2026-02-14T05:18:45","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/instytutpolski.pl\/newdelhi\/?p=3468"},"modified":"2026-02-14T06:18:47","modified_gmt":"2026-02-14T05:18:47","slug":"children-of-the-maharaja-celebrating-a-heartwarming-legacy-of-compassion-and-humanity","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/instytutpolski.pl\/newdelhi\/2026\/02\/14\/children-of-the-maharaja-celebrating-a-heartwarming-legacy-of-compassion-and-humanity\/","title":{"rendered":"\u201cChildren of the Maharaja\u201d \u2013 Celebrating a Heartwarming Legacy of Compassion and Humanity"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"736\" height=\"1024\" src=\"https:\/\/instytutpolski.pl\/newdelhi\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/18\/2026\/02\/611634957_1390413316208911_3474361259105390881_n-736x1024.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-3436\" srcset=\"https:\/\/instytutpolski.pl\/newdelhi\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/18\/2026\/02\/611634957_1390413316208911_3474361259105390881_n-736x1024.jpg 736w, https:\/\/instytutpolski.pl\/newdelhi\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/18\/2026\/02\/611634957_1390413316208911_3474361259105390881_n-216x300.jpg 216w, https:\/\/instytutpolski.pl\/newdelhi\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/18\/2026\/02\/611634957_1390413316208911_3474361259105390881_n-768x1068.jpg 768w, https:\/\/instytutpolski.pl\/newdelhi\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/18\/2026\/02\/611634957_1390413316208911_3474361259105390881_n.jpg 1053w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 736px) 100vw, 736px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>The poignant story of Polish refugee children who found safety in India during World War II was brought to life through an extraordinary cultural tour across India titled \u201cPoland meets India.\u201d This interdisciplinary artistic project combined literature, dance, music, and history, creating a moving dialogue between two nations united by compassion and shared humanity.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>At the heart of the project lies the remarkable story of nearly 1,000 Polish children who, displaced by war, were given refuge in Balachadi, Jamnagar. They were welcomed by Maharaja Digvijaysinghji of Jamnagar, whose generosity and care earned him the affectionate name \u201cBapu.\u201d His humanitarian gesture remains a powerful symbol of the historic bond between Poland and India.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Inspired by this chapter of history, writer Monika Kowaleczko-Szumowska and dancer of Polish descent Apeksha Niranjan created a unique stage dialogue exploring the similarities and differences between Polish and Indian cultures, traditions, and values. Through storytelling and Bharatanatyam dance, the performance reflected on resilience, identity, displacement, and gratitude. Apeksha\u2019s choreographies drew from Polish heritage, including the legend of the Warsaw Mermaid and the life of Maria Curie Sklodowska alongside a moving tribute to the Polish child refugees sheltered in India.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The tour began on 18 January in Bhopal at Khaayal Kalapremiyon Ka, Vidya Nagar, where the opening performance celebrated the enduring cultural ties between the two nations and reflected on the trauma of displacement and the healing power of kindness.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"461\" src=\"https:\/\/instytutpolski.pl\/newdelhi\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/18\/2026\/02\/616425010_1401205751796334_4937611654924002959_n-1024x461.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-3441\" srcset=\"https:\/\/instytutpolski.pl\/newdelhi\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/18\/2026\/02\/616425010_1401205751796334_4937611654924002959_n-1024x461.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/instytutpolski.pl\/newdelhi\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/18\/2026\/02\/616425010_1401205751796334_4937611654924002959_n-300x135.jpg 300w, https:\/\/instytutpolski.pl\/newdelhi\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/18\/2026\/02\/616425010_1401205751796334_4937611654924002959_n-768x346.jpg 768w, https:\/\/instytutpolski.pl\/newdelhi\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/18\/2026\/02\/616425010_1401205751796334_4937611654924002959_n.jpg 1280w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>On 25 January in Balachadi, Jamnagar, the performance paid special tribute to Maharaja Digvijaysinhji in the very place where the Polish children had once found refuge. The setting added profound emotional depth, inviting audiences to walk in the footsteps of the young refugees who had arrived there decades earlier.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-gallery has-nested-images columns-default is-cropped wp-block-gallery-1 is-layout-flex wp-block-gallery-is-layout-flex\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"682\" data-id=\"3451\" src=\"https:\/\/instytutpolski.pl\/newdelhi\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/18\/2026\/02\/621183921_1407515427832033_3327499548576648467_n-1024x682.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-3451\" srcset=\"https:\/\/instytutpolski.pl\/newdelhi\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/18\/2026\/02\/621183921_1407515427832033_3327499548576648467_n-1024x682.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/instytutpolski.pl\/newdelhi\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/18\/2026\/02\/621183921_1407515427832033_3327499548576648467_n-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/instytutpolski.pl\/newdelhi\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/18\/2026\/02\/621183921_1407515427832033_3327499548576648467_n-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/instytutpolski.pl\/newdelhi\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/18\/2026\/02\/621183921_1407515427832033_3327499548576648467_n-1536x1023.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/instytutpolski.pl\/newdelhi\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/18\/2026\/02\/621183921_1407515427832033_3327499548576648467_n.jpg 1600w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"682\" data-id=\"3448\" src=\"https:\/\/instytutpolski.pl\/newdelhi\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/18\/2026\/02\/621999197_1407515351165374_4362595441047250819_n-1024x682.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-3448\" srcset=\"https:\/\/instytutpolski.pl\/newdelhi\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/18\/2026\/02\/621999197_1407515351165374_4362595441047250819_n-1024x682.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/instytutpolski.pl\/newdelhi\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/18\/2026\/02\/621999197_1407515351165374_4362595441047250819_n-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/instytutpolski.pl\/newdelhi\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/18\/2026\/02\/621999197_1407515351165374_4362595441047250819_n-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/instytutpolski.pl\/newdelhi\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/18\/2026\/02\/621999197_1407515351165374_4362595441047250819_n-1536x1023.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/instytutpolski.pl\/newdelhi\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/18\/2026\/02\/621999197_1407515351165374_4362595441047250819_n.jpg 1600w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"682\" data-id=\"3443\" src=\"https:\/\/instytutpolski.pl\/newdelhi\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/18\/2026\/02\/621575301_1407515394498703_8744529063214790184_n-1024x682.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-3443\" srcset=\"https:\/\/instytutpolski.pl\/newdelhi\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/18\/2026\/02\/621575301_1407515394498703_8744529063214790184_n-1024x682.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/instytutpolski.pl\/newdelhi\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/18\/2026\/02\/621575301_1407515394498703_8744529063214790184_n-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/instytutpolski.pl\/newdelhi\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/18\/2026\/02\/621575301_1407515394498703_8744529063214790184_n-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/instytutpolski.pl\/newdelhi\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/18\/2026\/02\/621575301_1407515394498703_8744529063214790184_n-1536x1023.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/instytutpolski.pl\/newdelhi\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/18\/2026\/02\/621575301_1407515394498703_8744529063214790184_n.jpg 1600w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"682\" data-id=\"3449\" src=\"https:\/\/instytutpolski.pl\/newdelhi\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/18\/2026\/02\/621581788_1407515577832018_6908131091391035461_n-1024x682.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-3449\" srcset=\"https:\/\/instytutpolski.pl\/newdelhi\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/18\/2026\/02\/621581788_1407515577832018_6908131091391035461_n-1024x682.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/instytutpolski.pl\/newdelhi\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/18\/2026\/02\/621581788_1407515577832018_6908131091391035461_n-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/instytutpolski.pl\/newdelhi\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/18\/2026\/02\/621581788_1407515577832018_6908131091391035461_n-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/instytutpolski.pl\/newdelhi\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/18\/2026\/02\/621581788_1407515577832018_6908131091391035461_n-1536x1023.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/instytutpolski.pl\/newdelhi\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/18\/2026\/02\/621581788_1407515577832018_6908131091391035461_n.jpg 1600w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"682\" height=\"1024\" data-id=\"3450\" src=\"https:\/\/instytutpolski.pl\/newdelhi\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/18\/2026\/02\/621543160_1407515251165384_4110028536707612370_n-682x1024.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-3450\" srcset=\"https:\/\/instytutpolski.pl\/newdelhi\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/18\/2026\/02\/621543160_1407515251165384_4110028536707612370_n-682x1024.jpg 682w, https:\/\/instytutpolski.pl\/newdelhi\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/18\/2026\/02\/621543160_1407515251165384_4110028536707612370_n-200x300.jpg 200w, https:\/\/instytutpolski.pl\/newdelhi\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/18\/2026\/02\/621543160_1407515251165384_4110028536707612370_n-768x1153.jpg 768w, https:\/\/instytutpolski.pl\/newdelhi\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/18\/2026\/02\/621543160_1407515251165384_4110028536707612370_n-1023x1536.jpg 1023w, https:\/\/instytutpolski.pl\/newdelhi\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/18\/2026\/02\/621543160_1407515251165384_4110028536707612370_n.jpg 1066w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 682px) 100vw, 682px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The project continued on 30 January in Navi Mumbai, where the performance emphasized both historical bonds and present-day cultural connections between India and Poland, highlighting how shared histories shape contemporary relationships.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"826\" height=\"1024\" src=\"https:\/\/instytutpolski.pl\/newdelhi\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/18\/2026\/02\/619673767_1403704294879813_8605526775271923947_n-826x1024.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-3442\" style=\"width:671px;height:auto\" srcset=\"https:\/\/instytutpolski.pl\/newdelhi\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/18\/2026\/02\/619673767_1403704294879813_8605526775271923947_n-826x1024.jpg 826w, https:\/\/instytutpolski.pl\/newdelhi\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/18\/2026\/02\/619673767_1403704294879813_8605526775271923947_n-242x300.jpg 242w, https:\/\/instytutpolski.pl\/newdelhi\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/18\/2026\/02\/619673767_1403704294879813_8605526775271923947_n-768x953.jpg 768w, https:\/\/instytutpolski.pl\/newdelhi\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/18\/2026\/02\/619673767_1403704294879813_8605526775271923947_n-1238x1536.jpg 1238w, https:\/\/instytutpolski.pl\/newdelhi\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/18\/2026\/02\/619673767_1403704294879813_8605526775271923947_n.jpg 1651w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 826px) 100vw, 826px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>The grand finale took place on 8 February at Cross Maidan during the Kala Ghoda Arts Festival in Mumbai, one of India\u2019s most prestigious cultural events. The closing performance honored the legacy of Maharaja Digvijaysinhji and the thousands of Polish refugees who found solace in India. It was attended by descendants of the refugees and distinguished guests, adding a deeply personal dimension to the evening.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"819\" height=\"1024\" src=\"https:\/\/instytutpolski.pl\/newdelhi\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/18\/2026\/02\/630043554_1418600663390176_6628151070994157707_n-819x1024.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-3444\" style=\"width:595px;height:auto\" srcset=\"https:\/\/instytutpolski.pl\/newdelhi\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/18\/2026\/02\/630043554_1418600663390176_6628151070994157707_n-819x1024.jpg 819w, https:\/\/instytutpolski.pl\/newdelhi\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/18\/2026\/02\/630043554_1418600663390176_6628151070994157707_n-240x300.jpg 240w, https:\/\/instytutpolski.pl\/newdelhi\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/18\/2026\/02\/630043554_1418600663390176_6628151070994157707_n-768x960.jpg 768w, https:\/\/instytutpolski.pl\/newdelhi\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/18\/2026\/02\/630043554_1418600663390176_6628151070994157707_n.jpg 1080w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 819px) 100vw, 819px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"466\" src=\"https:\/\/instytutpolski.pl\/newdelhi\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/18\/2026\/02\/630691880_1492000492928296_5633316421617364645_n-1024x466.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-3445\" srcset=\"https:\/\/instytutpolski.pl\/newdelhi\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/18\/2026\/02\/630691880_1492000492928296_5633316421617364645_n-1024x466.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/instytutpolski.pl\/newdelhi\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/18\/2026\/02\/630691880_1492000492928296_5633316421617364645_n-300x137.jpg 300w, https:\/\/instytutpolski.pl\/newdelhi\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/18\/2026\/02\/630691880_1492000492928296_5633316421617364645_n-768x349.jpg 768w, 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https:\/\/instytutpolski.pl\/newdelhi\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/18\/2026\/02\/630766889_1492000789594933_4780214042861356493_n-300x137.jpg 300w, https:\/\/instytutpolski.pl\/newdelhi\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/18\/2026\/02\/630766889_1492000789594933_4780214042861356493_n-768x349.jpg 768w, https:\/\/instytutpolski.pl\/newdelhi\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/18\/2026\/02\/630766889_1492000789594933_4780214042861356493_n-1536x699.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/instytutpolski.pl\/newdelhi\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/18\/2026\/02\/630766889_1492000789594933_4780214042861356493_n-2048x932.jpg 2048w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"466\" height=\"1024\" data-id=\"3446\" src=\"https:\/\/instytutpolski.pl\/newdelhi\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/18\/2026\/02\/630674778_1492001009594911_5286975550634357239_n-466x1024.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-3446\" srcset=\"https:\/\/instytutpolski.pl\/newdelhi\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/18\/2026\/02\/630674778_1492001009594911_5286975550634357239_n-466x1024.jpg 466w, https:\/\/instytutpolski.pl\/newdelhi\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/18\/2026\/02\/630674778_1492001009594911_5286975550634357239_n-136x300.jpg 136w, https:\/\/instytutpolski.pl\/newdelhi\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/18\/2026\/02\/630674778_1492001009594911_5286975550634357239_n-768x1688.jpg 768w, https:\/\/instytutpolski.pl\/newdelhi\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/18\/2026\/02\/630674778_1492001009594911_5286975550634357239_n-699x1536.jpg 699w, https:\/\/instytutpolski.pl\/newdelhi\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/18\/2026\/02\/630674778_1492001009594911_5286975550634357239_n-932x2048.jpg 932w, https:\/\/instytutpolski.pl\/newdelhi\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/18\/2026\/02\/630674778_1492001009594911_5286975550634357239_n-scaled.jpg 1164w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 466px) 100vw, 466px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>Beyond public performances, the project also visited educational institutions, including the Birla Institute<a href=\"\/\/generic-entity?number=4\"> <\/a>of Technology, Jaipur, where the story of the \u201cMaharaja\u2019s Children\u201d was shared with students, inspiring reflection on empathy, solidarity, and the enduring power of cross-cultural friendship.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cPoland meets India\u201d stands as a remarkable artistic tribute to a shared history\u2014celebrating compassion, cultural dialogue, and the enduring connection between two distant yet closely linked nations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><br><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>The poignant story of Polish refugee children who found safety in India during World War II was brought to life through an extraordinary cultural tour across India titled \u201cPoland meets India.\u201d This interdisciplinary artistic project combined literature, dance, music, and history, creating a moving dialogue between two nations united by compassion and shared humanity. At [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":185,"featured_media":3448,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"inline_featured_image":false,"_monsterinsights_skip_tracking":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_active":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_note":"","_monsterinsights_sitenote_category":0,"footnotes":""},"categories":[7,28,30],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-3468","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-events","category-history-en","category-plchildren-of-india"],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v24.6 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/wordpress\/plugins\/seo\/ -->\n<title>\u201cChildren of the Maharaja\u201d \u2013 Celebrating a Heartwarming Legacy of Compassion and Humanity - Instytut Polski w New Delhi<\/title>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/instytutpolski.pl\/newdelhi\/2026\/02\/14\/children-of-the-maharaja-celebrating-a-heartwarming-legacy-of-compassion-and-humanity\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"pl_PL\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"\u201cChildren of the Maharaja\u201d \u2013 Celebrating a Heartwarming Legacy of Compassion and Humanity - Instytut Polski w New Delhi\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"The poignant story of Polish refugee children who found safety in India during World War II was brought to life through an extraordinary cultural tour across India titled \u201cPoland meets India.\u201d This interdisciplinary artistic project combined literature, dance, music, and history, creating a moving dialogue between two nations united by compassion and shared humanity. 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