7 months ago
Two Major Classical Dance Festivals
Two big festivals are happening in India to celebrate classical music and dance.
The first one, the 24th Bal Gandharva Music Festival, is in Jalgaon from January 9th to 11th.
It has singers and musicians playing traditional instruments like the sitar and sarangi.
The second festival, KalaYatra 2026, is in Delhi from January 13th to 29th.
It features different types of classical dances like Kathakali, Bharatanatyam, and Odissi.
Both festivals have performances that tell stories from Indian culture and traditions.
The Bal Gandharva Festival starts with a prayer and has different performances each day.
The KalaYatra Festival includes new dance pieces and even a performance by an all-LGBTQ+ dance group.
Both festivals are free to attend and are great chances to enjoy India's rich cultural heritage.
The 24th Bal Gandharva Music Festival is organized by the Late Vasantrao Chandorkar Memorial Foundation and will be held from January 9th to 11th at Chhatrapati Sambhaji Raje Natya Mandir in Jalgaon.
The Festival of New Choreographies – KalaYatra 2026 is curated by Sonal Mansingh and will be held from January 13th to 29th at Kamani Auditorium in Delhi.
Bal Gandharva features vocal and instrumental performances, including sitar and sarangi recitals, and a dance jugalbandi.
KalaYatra presents 10 new choreographies from various classical dance traditions, including Kathakali, Bharatanatyam, and Odissi, with performances like Amrut-Manthan and Matrika by an LGBTQ+ ensemble.
Both festivals aim to celebrate and promote India's classical music and dance traditions, with free entry for attendees.
- Who
- Organized by the Late Vasantrao Chandorkar Memorial Foundation and Centre for Indian Classical Dances (CICD), featuring performances by various classical musicians and dancers.
- What
- Two major classical dance and music festivals: the 24th Bal Gandharva Music Festival and the Festival of New Choreographies – KalaYatra 2026.
- Where
- Chhatrapati Sambhaji Raje Natya Mandir, Jalgaon (Bal Gandharva) and Kamani Auditorium, Delhi (KalaYatra).
- When
- January 9-11 (Bal Gandharva) and January 13-29 (KalaYatra).
- Why
- To celebrate and promote classical music and dance traditions in India.
Key facts
- Festival 1 Name
- 24th Bal Gandharva Music Festival
- Festival 1 Organizer
- Late Vasantrao Chandorkar Memorial Foundation
- Festival 1 Dates
- January 9-11
- Festival 1 Venue
- Chhatrapati Sambhaji Raje Natya Mandir, Jalgaon
- Festival 1 Time
- 7 to 11 pm
- Festival 1 Opening Act
- Ganesh Vandana by Nupur Khatawkar, Komal Chauhan, Hetal Chauhan, Sakshi Mali, Snehal Phadke, and Tanaya Patil
- Festival 1 First Day Performers
- Shruti Bujarbaruah (Vocal), Chirag Katti (Sitar)
- Festival 1 Second Day Performers
- Ustad Sabir Khan (Sarangi), Nidhi Prabhu (Kathak), Kunal Om (Flamenco)
- Festival 1 Final Day Performance
- Instrumental ensemble featuring Nadaswaram, Tavil, and Mridangam
- Festival 1 Compere
- Mangala Khadilkar
- Festival 2 Name
- Festival of New Choreographies – KalaYatra 2026
- Festival 2 Organizer
- Centre for Indian Classical Dances (CICD)
- Festival 2 Dates
- January 13-29
- Festival 2 Venue
- Kamani Auditorium, Delhi
- Festival 2 Opening Day Performances
- Amrut-Manthan (CICD repertory), Athijeevanam (Kathakali)
- Festival 2 Highlight Performances
- Girija Kalyana (Yakshagana), Karna: Bound by Fate (Bharatanatyam), Duryodhana (Odissi), Chakravyuha (Mayurbhanj Chhau, Kalarippayattu), Sita Bibaha Bihar (Sattriya), Saugandhikaharanam (Bheema-Hanuman encounter), Matrika (LGBTQ+ ensemble)
- Festival 2 Entry
- Free
Quotes
Uma Sharma
Kathak dancer and one of the supporters of the Swami Haridas-Tansen Sangeet Nritya Mahotsava
“It is that time of the year again when I am very excited. When the time comes for the festival, I want to not come back home. I want to sleep there, eat there and just listen to music.”
indianexpress.com
