Celebration of Folk Traditions
The Vasant Utsav: A Festival of Folk Arts will be held at the India International Centre, presenting a two-day celebration of traditional music, dance and visual arts. The festival brings together artists from different regions of India to showcase contemporary narratives expressed through traditional folk forms. Alongside stage performances, the programme includes exhibitions and demonstrations that introduce visitors to a variety of regional cultural practices.
Event at a Glance
| Aspects | Details |
| Event Name | Vasant Utsav: A Festival of Folk Arts |
| Festival Highlights | Basant in the Land of Five Rivers: Dance and Songs from Punjab; Rhythms of Chhattisgarh: Folk Dances of the Heartland |
| Performing Groups | Universal Art and Culture Welfare Society, Mohali; Artists of Indira Kala Sangeet Vishwavidyalaya, Khairagarh |
| Folk Singers | Garry Gill and Sukhbeer Pal Kaur |
| Venue | Fountain Lawns, India International Centre |
| City | New Delhi |
| Date | 19-20 March 2026 |
| Time | 6:00 pm onwards |
| Organiser | India International Centre |
| Entry | Open to All |
A Platform for Folk Arts
Vasant Utsav is designed to highlight the diversity of India’s folk traditions and the communities that sustain them. By presenting performances from multiple regions, the festival creates an opportunity for audiences in Delhi to experience different cultural expressions within a single programme. The event also reflects the India International Centre’s long-standing role in hosting cultural programmes, lectures and exhibitions related to arts and heritage.
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Basant in the Land of Five Rivers
One of the featured programmes of the festival is “Basant in the Land of Five Rivers: Dance and Songs from Punjab.” The performance will present Punjabi folk traditions through energetic dance and music.
Artists from the Universal Art and Culture Welfare Society will perform well-known Punjabi folk dances, including:
- Jhumar (Punjabi folk dance)
- Giddha
- Bhangra
The programme will also feature folk singing by Garry Gill and Sukhbeer Pal Kaur, presenting songs rooted in Punjab’s oral storytelling and seasonal celebrations.
Rhythms of Chhattisgarh
Another highlight of the festival is “Rhythms of Chhattisgarh: Folk Dances of the Heartland.” This performance will be presented by artists from Indira Kala Sangeet Vishwavidyalaya in Khairagarh. Established in 1956, the university is known for its specialised programmes in music, dance and visual arts.
The performance will introduce audiences to traditional dances from Chhattisgarh, including:
- Gedi Dance
- Karma Dance
- Sarhul Dance
These dances are traditionally associated with community rituals, seasonal celebrations and cultural storytelling in central India.
Festival Highlights
In addition to the performances, Vasant Utsav will include activities that allow visitors to engage with traditional arts more closely.
Key highlights of the festival include:
- Folk music and dance performances from different regions
- Exhibitions showcasing traditional art forms
- Demonstrations by artists and practitioners
- Cultural presentations exploring regional traditions
Event Information
The performances will take place on 20 March 2026 at 6:00 pm at the Fountain Lawns of the India International Centre in New Delhi. The event is open to all visitors, making it accessible to audiences interested in experiencing Indian folk traditions in a public cultural setting.
