This article covers cultural and educational links between India and Brazil, including historical connections, Indian spiritual and artistic traditions in Brazil, yoga, cinema, scholarships and the Indian community in Brazil. It is based on the MEA bilateral brief of July 2026.
Historical links
According to the MEA brief of July 2026, the Portuguese explorer Pedro Alvares Cabral landed on the east coast of Brazil in 1500, two years after Vasco de Gama had arrived in India. Between the 16th and 18th centuries, Brazil and Goa, both outposts of the Portuguese empire, had exchanges that the brief says are reflected in cuisine, dress and local traditions.
Indian culture and spirituality in Brazil
The brief describes interest in Brazil in Indian culture, religion, performing arts, philosophy, meditation and spirituality as significant. The Ramakrishna Mission, ISKCON, Satya Sai Baba, Maharishi Mahesh Yogi, Bhakti Vedanta Foundation, Art of Living and other spiritual organisations have chapters in Brazil. There are practitioners and students of classical Indian dance forms including Bharatanatyam, Odissi, Kathak and Kuchipudi.
India's first cultural centre in Latin America, the Swami Vivekananda Cultural Centre (SVCC), opened in São Paulo in May 2011 under the auspices of the Indian Council for Cultural Relations (ICCR). The brief notes that a Brazilian TV serial, "Caminho das Indias" (Path to India), released in 2009, helped raise awareness of India among Brazilians.
In January 2026, Lama Padma Samten (Alfredo Aveline) and Dr. Plinio Marcos Tsai attended the 2nd Global Buddhist Summit held in India.
Yoga
The brief states that Brazil has a strong community of Yoga and Ayurveda practitioners, with numerous organisations teaching Yoga across the country. Regular Yoga classes are held at the Indian Embassy in Brasilia and at the SVCC. In July 2024, Yoga was incorporated into the public schools' curriculum in the state of Mato Grosso do Sul, and all editions of the International Day of Yoga have been celebrated in various parts of Brazil.
Mahatma Gandhi in Brazil
The brief states that Mahatma Gandhi is highly regarded in Brazil, where his philosophy of non-violence is taught to students, youth and police. Statues of Mahatma Gandhi have been installed in Rio de Janeiro, São Paulo, Brasilia, Salvador, Londrina and Cuiaba. An organisation called Filhos de Gandhy (Sons of Gandhi), which the brief describes as popular in Salvador, holds street processions every year in which members wear Gandhian attire.
Padma Shri awards
Several Brazilians have received the Padma Shri:
- Jonas Masetti, an Acharya and founder of Vishva Vidya Gurukulam, in 2025
- Professor Lia Diskin, for promoting Gandhian values, in 2020
- Gloria Arieira, a Sanskrit and Vedanta scholar, also in 2020
Cinema and media
The brief states that Indian cinema is popular among Brazilians. Brazilian Post issued a commemorative stamp on "100 years of Indian Cinema" in May 2014. India was the Focus Country at the 48th São Paulo International Film Festival, held from 17-30 October 2024, where it showcased contemporary Indian films by new and established filmmakers.
Globo Television, which the brief describes as Brazil's leading media group, produced and aired a news special in 2019 about the Ganges River, focusing on places that have played an important role in the development of human civilisation. Film and media education institutions are also linked by an agreement between SRFTI and ECA-USP, listed in the relations article.
Scholarships
Brazil is covered under the scholarship scheme of the ICCR and under the AYUSH Scholarship Scheme. Professional training under ITEC is covered in the cooperation article.
The Indian community in Brazil
As of the brief, the Indian community in Brazil is estimated at around 4,000 people. Most live in São Paulo and Rio de Janeiro, with the rest spread in small numbers across other Brazilian cities.
The community consists mainly of professionals and businessmen, with some scientists and researchers working in space, agriculture, physics and biotechnology. Prof. Dilip Loundo received the Pravasi Bharatiya Samman Award in 2023 for his contribution to promoting Indian philosophy and traditions.