Essensai067 Hosts Made in India Flea and Patriotic Movie Evenings in Bengaluru

January 20, 2026

Celebrating Homegrown Craft and Community

Bengaluru, January 2026: Essensai067 is set to host a culturally immersive weekend with the Made in India Flea & Patriotic Movie Evenings, scheduled from January 24 to 26. Designed as a community-driven celebration, the event foregrounds Indian craftsmanship, local makers, and shared cultural experiences rooted in everyday life.

A Flea Market Spotlighting Indian Makers

The Made in India Flea brings together a diverse range of local artisans, mindful brands, and indigenous labels. Visitors can explore textiles, apparel, accessories, lifestyle products, and everyday essentials—while engaging directly with the stories, skills, and values behind products made close to home. The flea positions conscious consumption and craft-led narratives at the heart of the experience.

Patriotic Movie Nights Under the Open Sky

Extending the cultural weekend beyond shopping, Essensai067 will host open-air Patriotic Movie Nights at its amphitheatre on the evenings of January 25 and 26. The screenings feature Uri and Border—films that evoke collective pride, nostalgia, and reflection when experienced together under the open sky.

Shared Viewing as Collective Experience

Watched in an outdoor setting, the films transform into communal moments rather than individual viewing experiences. The amphitheatre screenings invite audiences to reflect on themes of courage, sacrifice, and national identity, reinforcing the idea of cinema as a shared cultural ritual.

A Weekend Designed for City Audiences

Curated as a relaxed yet meaningful city gathering, the Made in India Flea & Patriotic Movie Evenings is positioned for inclusion in weekend listings, culture pages, and lifestyle round-ups. The event blends commerce, storytelling, and cinema—offering Bengaluru audiences a space to slow down, connect, and celebrate local creativity.

Event Details

Aspect	Details
Event Title	Made in India Flea & Patriotic Movie Evenings
Dates	January 24–26, 2026
Movie Screenings	Evenings of January 25 and 26
Venue	Essensai067, Bengaluru

Conclusion

Blending craft, cinema, and community, the Made in India Flea & Patriotic Movie Evenings at Essensai067 offers more than a weekend outing. It creates a shared cultural space where local makers, mindful consumption, and collective viewing come together—reinforcing the value of homegrown creativity and togetherness in the urban cultural calendar.

Songs of Freedom and Equality Take Centre Stage in Rang Aman Ke, Bangalore

Caleidoscope

January 20, 2026

A Musical Reflection on Constitutional Values

Songs of freedom, equality, justice, and camaraderie come together on stage in Rang Aman Ke, a poetry and song concert rooted in the tradition of Ambedkarite Shahiri jalsa. The performance draws inspiration from poet saints and revolutionary voices across India’s long history of resistance and social reform.

Presented by Yalgaar Lok Sanskriti Manch

Presented by Mumbai-based theatre collective Yalgaar Lok Sanskriti Manch, the concert reflects on constitutional values not merely as abstract ideals, but as lived, questioned, and continuously practised realities in contemporary India. Through music and spoken word, the ensemble engages deeply with themes of dignity, equality, and collective struggle.

Marking 76 Years of the Indian Constitution

Rang Aman Ke marks the seventy-sixth anniversary of India becoming a constitution, using the occasion to revisit the spirit of the Constitution through art and community dialogue. The performance foregrounds the relevance of constitutional morality in today’s social and political climate.

An Interactive and Participatory Experience

Designed as an interactive exchange, the concert invites audiences to participate actively rather than remain passive spectators. Music, poetry, and collective responses merge to create a shared space of reflection, encouraging solidarity and dialogue in the present moment.

Venue and Audience Engagement

The performance will be held at the Indian Music Experience, a venue known for hosting immersive musical experiences. Audiences are encouraged to engage with the ideas presented, extending the concert beyond performance into a communal act of remembrance and hope.

Event Details

Aspects	Details
Event Title	Rang Aman Ke
Format	Poetry and Song Concert (Ambedkarite Shahiri Jalsa)
Date	Friday, January 23rd, 2026
Time	7 PM – 8.30 PM
Venue	Indian Music Experience, Bangalore
Entry	RSVP via link in bio \| More details on IME website

Takeaway

Through Rang Aman Ke, poetry and music become tools for remembrance, resistance, and renewal. By revisiting constitutional values through Ambedkarite Shahiri traditions, the performance offers audiences an opportunity to collectively reflect on freedom, equality, and justice—not as distant principles, but as living commitments shaped in the present.

Suggested Story: Bhim Geets: Narrating Struggle Through Songs

RITES at Method Delhi: Alida Sun’s Solo Show on Code, Tapestry and Resistance

Caleidoscope

January 20, 2026

National, 20 January 2026: Method, Delhi, presents RITES, a solo exhibition by Berlin– and New York–based artist and technologist Alida Sun, on view from 31 January to 15 March 2026. The exhibition brings together code, ritual, embroidery, mirrorwork, computational heritage, care, and solidarity-positioning technology as a site of resistance, intimacy, and collective imagination.

Exhibition at a Glance

Detail	Information
Exhibition Title	RITES, A Solo Exhibition by Alida Sun
Artist	Alida Sun
Dates	31 January – 15 March 2026
Timings	12pm – 7pm \| Everyday except Mondays
Venue	Method, D Block, Basement, D-59, Defence Colony, New Delhi 110024

Technology as Ritual and Resistance

At the heart of RITES is Sun’s daily coding practice, sustained over 2,343 consecutive days and counting, where repetition becomes ritual and curiosity becomes a form of refusal. Through custom-built software systems, Sun reframes computation as a generative and communal act, offering an alternative to extractive models of Big Tech by foregrounding care, protection, and shared authorship.

Reclaiming Feminist Computational Histories

Alida Sun Biophony print — Biophony print

The exhibition draws attention to a frequently erased history—that women were the first computers and pioneers of software engineering, at a time when software was dismissed as feminised and secondary labour. RITES emerges from an urgent need to reclaim this computational heritage, restoring technology as a tool for creation and liberation rather than militarisation and surveillance.

Code Translated into Tapestry

Hand-coded and hand-embroidered, the works in RITES are produced through collaboration with a community of women artisans at SSMI, translating computational logic into richly textured tapestries. These works position coding as a practice of solidarity—supporting livelihoods while sustaining cultural knowledge and craft traditions. Embedded mirrorwork, rooted in histories of spiritual protection, extends this language of care into the visual and interactive dimensions of the exhibition.

Human-Machine Portraits and Protective Encryption

Each tapestry is generated through Sun’s bodily movement, captured via infrared light and translated into code as both signature and sigil. Every RITE becomes an abstracted human–machine portrait—functioning as dazzle camouflage and protective encryption in an age shaped by algorithmic surveillance.

Opening Night and Public Programme

The exhibition opens on 31 January 2026 at Method Delhi, with an evening hosted by Sanjana Rishi and Ruchika Sachdeva. The opening programme includes a presentation by Alida Sun, where she frames code as a living, multi-sensory medium that moves between sound, light, textiles, bodies, and space-privileging process over outcome and embracing glitches as sites of generative discovery.

Live-Coded Performance by Abhinay Khoparzi

Alida-Sun-Tapestry-12 — Alida Sun – Tapestry

The opening night will conclude with a live-coded audio-visual performance by Abhinay Khoparzi. Responding directly to the exhibition, Khoparzi’s improvisational soundscapes are generated in real time through algorithmic processes. His performance echoes RITES’ themes of ritual, encryption, camouflage, and resistance—positioning code as a shared space for contemplation, solidarity, and experimentation.

India Art Fair Parallel Presentation

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RITES is an official India Art Fair Parallel. Works by Alida Sun will also be presented at Method’s booth (E10) at the India Art Fair, scheduled from 5 to 8 February 2026, extending the exhibition’s dialogue into a wider international platform.

AstaGuru Presents Across the Century: A Landmark Exhibition of Works by Krishen Khanna

Cscope Staff

January 19, 2026

National, January 19 2026: AstaGuru has announced Across The Century, a selling exhibition that pays tribute to the remarkable artistic journey of Krishen Khanna, one of India’s most celebrated modern masters. Scheduled to be held in Mumbai from 21 to 25 January, the exhibition brings together an exceptional selection of works spanning more than six decades of Khanna’s prolific career.

Curated Works from Iconic Series

The exhibition features carefully selected works from Khanna’s most recognised and enduring series, including the much-loved Bandwallahs. These works reflect his deep engagement with everyday life, social rhythms, and collective memory, themes that have consistently shaped his visual language over the years.

Exhibition Details

Aspects	Details
Exhibition Title	Across The Century: A Selling Exhibition of Works by Krishen Khanna
Dates	21–25 January
Venue	ICIA Gallery, Kala Ghoda, Mumbai
Presented By	AstaGuru

Centenary Publication Launched Alongside Exhibition

The exhibition will present a carefully curated selection of works by Krishen Khanna, offering viewers an intimate insight into his enduring engagement with the human condition. Among the highlights is Lot no. 15, Untitled (The Journey), which reflects the human experience of labour and endurance. The warm, earthy tones highlight the physical movement and emotional passage while Khanna’s layered mixed-media surface enhances the sense of the passing and lived time.

Spiritual Reflection Through the Emmaus Series

From Khanna’s Emmaus series, Lot no. 17, Emmaus, an oil on canvas, draws inspiration from the biblical moment of revelation. The composition depicts figures dressed in simple white garments gathered around a table, rendered with restrained gestures that convey a powerful sense of spiritual recognition and quiet intensity.

Celebration and Rhythm in the Bandwallah Series

Another major highlight is Lot no. 8, The Wedding Procession (Pentaptych), a vibrant mixed-media work from the Bandwallah series. The artwork unfolds as a dynamic celebration of movement and sound, portraying a wedding procession alive with music and festivity. Bold reds, yellows, and blues establish a rhythmic visual flow, while overlapping figures and instruments suggest collective participation and joy.

A Life Rooted in Social Observation

Spanning over six decades of artistic practice, Across The Century offers an intimate view into Krishen Khanna’s sustained engagement with society, memory, and moments of transition. Deeply rooted in the social fabric of his time, his works continue to resonate with relevance and emotional depth.

Takeaway

More than a selling exhibition, Across The Century stands as a tribute to a life devoted to art. By bringing together seminal works and launching a centenary publication, AstaGuru offers audiences a rare opportunity to engage with the depth, humanity, and enduring relevance of Krishen Khanna’s artistic vision—one that continues to inspire, provoke thought, and speak powerfully to new generations.

Hyderabad Literary Festival 2026 Returns with Literature, Art and Cultural Dialogues

Cscope Staff

January 19, 2026

A Decade-Long Cultural Landmark

The Hyderabad Literary Festival (HLF), one of India’s most anticipated celebrations of literature and culture, continues its influential journey in 2026. Founded in 2010, HLF has grown into a defining fixture on the cultural calendar of both the city and the country, drawing writers, thinkers, artists, and audiences from across generations.

Event Details at a Glance

Aspects	Details
Event	Hyderabad Literary Festival (HLF) 2026
Founded	2010
Venue	Sattva Knowledge City, HITEC City
Edition Note	Third successive year at the same venue
Core Focus	Literature, culture, art, and cross-generational conversations
Key Streams	Literature, Poetry, Science & Culture, Climate, Youth, Indigenous Languages, Cultural Events
Principal Partner	Sattva

Venue and Continuity

For the third successive year, HLF 2026 will be held at Sattva Knowledge City, HITEC City, reaffirming the festival’s commitment to accessible, contemporary urban spaces. The venue has emerged as a dynamic hub for conversations that bridge literature, art, and public discourse.

A Festival That Crosses Borders

What sets HLF apart is its expansive vision. The festival is a celebration of literature, culture, art, and conversations that transcend geographical, linguistic, and generational boundaries. Over the years, it has evolved into a platform where ideas meet audiences in an open, participatory environment.

Diverse Festival Streams

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HLF 2026 presents a wide array of curated festival streams designed to engage varied interests and age groups. These include Literature (Books and Ideas), Kaavya Dhaara (Poetry Stream), Stage Talks, and the Creators’ Platform, alongside interdisciplinary programmes such as Science & the City, Climate Conversations, and Indigenous & Endangered Languages.

The festival also features inclusive initiatives such as Dreamcatchers for children and teens, Youngistaan Nukkad youth programmes, Storyweavers for all ages, and a rich mix of Cultural Events, Workshops, Exhibitions, Moving Images, and Meet My Book, an authors’ pitch platform.

A Space for Meaningful Exchange

Beyond sessions and performances, HLF is defined by its moments of connection. From illustrated talks and screenings to informal interactions between speakers and audiences, the festival fosters an atmosphere of curiosity, learning, and exchange that continues to resonate long after the event.

Voices from the Festival Community

Participants consistently praise HLF for its openness and engagement. Speakers and audiences alike highlight the festival’s ability to create welcoming spaces for dialogue across communities and age groups, applauding its thoughtful organisation, hospitality, and intellectually curious audiences.

Supported by a Shared Vision

HLF is proud to collaborate with patrons and partners who champion creativity and dialogue. The Principal Partner, Sattva, along with venue partners and supporting organisations, play a vital role in ensuring that literature and culture remain accessible to all.

Takeaway

As it looks ahead to HLF 2026, the Hyderabad Literary Festival continues to reaffirm its role as a living, evolving platform for ideas. By blending literature with science, culture, youth engagement, and environmental conversations, HLF remains a space where stories are shared, voices are amplified, and meaningful cultural exchange thrives.

Suggested Story: Hyderabadi – Hum Aiseich Bolte

Vedanta Udaipur World Music Festival 2026 Returns with Its 10-Year Edition

Cscope Staff

January 18, 2026

A Milestone Edition in the City of Lakes

Udaipur is set to resonate once again with global rhythms as the Vedanta Udaipur World Music Festival returns from 6th to 8th February, 2026, marking a 10-year milestone of one of India’s most loved music festivals. Over the years, the festival has carved a distinctive identity, inviting audiences to celebrate cultural diversity through music in the heart of Rajasthan.

Event Details at a Glance

Aspect	Details
Event Name	Vedanta Udaipur World Music Festival 2026
Edition	7th Edition (10-Year Milestone)
Dates	6 – 8 February, 2026
Location	Udaipur, Rajasthan
Conceptualised By	SEHER
Collaborator	Department of Tourism, Government of Rajasthan and Hindustan Zinc Ltd.
Key Focus	World music, cultural exchange and more

A Celebration of World Music Without Borders

From soulful melodies to electrifying beats and rare musical discoveries from across the world, the festival promises a rich and immersive auditory experience. Conceptualised as India’s only festival dedicated exclusively to world music, it brings together cultural ambassadors from different countries, dissolving boundaries of language, geography, and genre through shared musical expression.

Conceptualised for Cultural Exchange and Tourism

The Vedanta Udaipur World Music Festival is conceptualised by SEHER, in collaboration with the Department of Tourism, Government of Rajasthan, and supported by Hindustan Zinc Ltd. It stands as India’s first truly international destination festival promoting cultural tourism. Set against Udaipur’s scenic beauty and Rajasthan’s renowned hospitality, the festival has steadily positioned the city as a global music destination.

A Global Festival at a National Scale

As a city-wide, multi-venue music festival, the event features over 150 global artists and collaborations from more than 15 countries, attracting an annual footfall of over 50,000 people. Recognised as the largest world music festival in the country, it has played a transformative role in India’s performing arts landscape while establishing Udaipur as a world music hub since its inception.

Music Through the Rhythm of the Day

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Spread across three picturesque venues, the festival curates different moods across the day-meditative ragas in the morning, romantic lake-side performances in the afternoon, and spirited, youth-driven music in the evenings. Its cultural significance has also received global recognition, with CNN International featuring the festival on its show Travel Trends India, making it the only Indian music festival covered by CNN International.

A Focus on Preservation and Community Engagement

Returning this February for its 7th edition, the festival introduces a renewed artist line-up and places special emphasis on the preservation of the Sarangi, a rare traditional instrument from Rajasthan. The festival also extends beyond performance venues, hosting welcome concerts at Maharana Pratap Airport and Udaipur Railway Station, showcasing undiscovered Rajasthani talent, along with artist workshops at local schools, fostering cultural awareness among students.

Conclusion: Music as a Bridge Between Cultures

The Vedanta Udaipur World Music Festival 2026 stands as a powerful testament to music’s ability to unite cultures and communities. As it celebrates a decade of global exchange and artistic excellence, the festival continues to strengthen Udaipur’s position on the world cultural map-inviting audiences to experience music not just as entertainment, but as a shared human language.

39th Surajkund International Craft Mela 2026 to Unite Global Crafts & Indian Traditions

Cscope Staff

January 17, 2026

A Confluence of Global Cultures and Indian Craft

The 39th Surajkund International Craft Mela is set to return with a vibrant celebration of international cultural expressions and India’s diverse regional traditions. Scheduled from January 31 to February 15, 2026, the annual cultural festival invites visitors to immerse themselves in a dynamic blend of art, craft, performance, music, and culinary heritage.

Event Details at a Glance

Aspect	Details
Event Name	39th Surajkund International Craft Mela
Venue	Surajkund, Faridabad, Haryana
Dates	January 31 – February 15, 2026
Core Focus	International cultural expressions and Indian regional traditions
Key Attractions	Art & craft, folk performances, music, regional cuisine

Showcasing Art, Craft, and Cultural Vibrancy

Renowned for its expansive craft displays, the Surajkund Mela brings together artisans and cultural practitioners who represent a wide spectrum of creative traditions. Visitors can explore exquisite handcrafted works while engaging with living craft practices that reflect both indigenous knowledge systems and global cultural influences.

Folk Performances, Music, and Culinary Experiences

Beyond visual arts and crafts, the mela offers an energetic cultural atmosphere through folk performances, soulful music, and authentic regional flavours. These elements transform the venue into a multisensory cultural space, where rhythm, movement, and taste play a vital role in shaping the visitor experience.

A Platform for Cultural Exchange

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The Surajkund International Craft Mela has long served as a platform for cross-cultural dialogue, encouraging interaction between international participants and Indian artisans. The 39th edition continues this legacy by presenting culture not as a static display, but as a living, participatory experience that resonates across borders.

Conclusion: A Celebration of Living Traditions

The 39th Surajkund International Craft Mela 2026 stands as a vibrant reminder of the enduring power of craft and culture to connect communities. By bringing together global artistic expressions with India’s rich regional traditions, the mela reaffirms its place as one of the country’s most significant cultural gatherings—inviting audiences to experience heritage through creativity, performance, and shared celebration.

PM Vishwakarma Haat 2026 to Celebrate Traditional Skills & Heritage at Dilli Haat

Cscope Staff

January 17, 2026

A Platform for Traditional Skills and Heritage

Under the banner “Vishwakarma Ka Abhiyaan, Viksit Bharat Ka Nirman,” PM Vishwakarma Haat 2026 is set to bring India’s rich artisanal heritage to the forefront with a vibrant cultural showcase in New Delhi. Scheduled from 18 to 31 January, 2026, the event will be hosted at Dilli Haat – INA, offering visitors an immersive experience of India’s traditional craftsmanship, creativity, and cultural legacy.

Event details at a Glance

Aspect	Details
Event Name	PM Vishwakarma Haat 2026
Theme	Vishwakarma Ka Abhiyaan, Viksit Bharat Ka Nirman
Dates	18 – 31 January, 2026
Timings	10:30 AM – 10:00 PM
Venue	Dilli Haat – INA, New Delhi
Core Focus	Traditional craftsmanship, cultural heritage, artisanal skills

Showcasing the Spirit of Indian Craftsmanship

PM Vishwakarma Haat 2026 positions itself as a celebration of the timeless skills passed down through generations of Indian artisans. The Haat will spotlight traditional craft practices that reflect India’s cultural diversity and artisanal excellence, creating a space where heritage skills are not only displayed but actively experienced. By bringing artisans and audiences together, the event reinforces the value of craft as a living, evolving practice.

An Immersive Cultural Experience

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Running daily from 10:30 AM to 10:00 PM, the Haat promises a dynamic environment that blends creativity, tradition, and cultural exchange. Visitors can expect a vibrant atmosphere that highlights the ingenuity of India’s craftspeople, making it an accessible and engaging destination for families, tourists, students, and cultural enthusiasts alike.

Craft, Creativity, and Cultural Identity

More than a marketplace, PM Vishwakarma Haat 2026 represents a broader cultural initiative that aligns traditional skills with contemporary appreciation. By celebrating craftsmanship within a public and inclusive setting like Dilli Haat, the event underscores the importance of sustaining artisanal livelihoods while strengthening India’s cultural identity in the present day.

Takeaway

PM Vishwakarma Haat 2026 stands as a powerful reminder that India’s path to a Viksit Bharat is deeply rooted in the knowledge, skill, and creativity of its artisans. By honouring traditional craftsmanship through a vibrant and accessible platform, the Haat not only preserves cultural heritage but also inspires renewed respect for the hands and minds that continue to shape India’s creative future.

Udeesha 2026 Set to Transform Moradabad into a Cultural Hub This January

Nagaraj

January 16, 2026

A Five-Day Celebration of Literature and Culture

Moradabad, Uttar Pradesh, is set to host Udeesha 2026 – The Moradabad Literature Festival, a five-day celebration of literature, art, music, and cultural dialogue from January 22 to 26, 2026. Conceived as a platform to foreground both national and regional voices, the festival seeks to firmly place Moradabad on the cultural map of western Uttar Pradesh through an inclusive and wide-ranging programme.

Event at a Glance

Aspect	Details
Event Name	Udeesha 2026 – The Moradabad Literature Festival
Location	Moradabad, Uttar Pradesh
Dates	January 22 – 26, 2026
Key Venues	Dushyant Manch, Ramganga Lawns, Jaun Elia Zone
Festival Duration	Five days
Core Focus	Literature, poetry, theatre, music, cultural dialogue
Access	Free and open access to most sessions

Multiple Venues, One Shared Cultural Vision

Spread across prominent city venues such as Dushyant Manch, Ramganga Lawns, and Jaun Elia Zone, Udeesha 2026 will unfold as a city-wide cultural experience. The festival programme includes literary discussions, poetry readings, theatre performances, Dastangoi sessions, folk and classical music, Bhojpuri cultural presentations, creative workshops, and panel discussions that span cinema, media, technology, spirituality, and Indian knowledge traditions.

Opening Night Highlights

The festival will open on January 22, 2026, with special performances by actor Ashutosh Rana and acclaimed singer Sukhwinder Singh, setting the tone for the days to follow. The inaugural evening is expected to draw audiences from across the region, marking the beginning of an immersive cultural exchange.

An Illustrious Line-up of Voices

Over the next four days, Udeesha 2026 will host an extensive roster of speakers and performers, including poet Wasim Barelvi, singer and actor Manoj Tiwari, poet and lyricist Alok Srivastava, journalist Saurabh Dwivedi, author Chetan Bhagat, food historian Pushpesh Pant, poet Gauhar Raza, writer and screenwriter Akshat Gupta, television personality Ila Arun, and poet-academic Kumar Vishwas, among many others. Together, these voices will represent a broad spectrum of India’s contemporary literary and cultural discourse.

Poetry at the Heart of the Festival

One of the key highlights of Udeesha 2026 will be a Grand Mushaira and Poetry Conference, celebrating India’s rich poetic traditions alongside contemporary literary expressions. This segment underscores the festival’s commitment to poetry as a living, evolving form of cultural dialogue.

Free Access and Community Engagement

With free and open access to most sessions, the festival invites students, readers, writers, artists, and citizens to actively participate in conversations shaping India’s cultural and intellectual life. At the same time, it offers a platform to celebrate Moradabad’s own literary heritage and regional cultural practices.

Conclusion: Positioning Moradabad on the Cultural Map

Udeesha 2026 represents a significant cultural intervention for Moradabad, bringing together literature, performance, and public dialogue in a shared civic space. By combining nationally recognised voices with regional talent and ensuring accessibility for all, the festival aspires to foster sustained cultural engagement while reinforcing Moradabad’s identity as an emerging centre for literary and cultural exchange in western Uttar Pradesh.

Dr. Maya Rao Kathak & Choreography Conference 2026 Returns to Bangalore

Nagaraj

January 16, 2026

Reimagining Legacy Through Choreography

The Dr. Maya Rao Kathak & Choreography Conference (DMRKCC), under the aegis of UNESCO, returns in its fifth edition with a renewed focus on choreography as a living, evolving practice. Led by Madhu Nataraj, daughter of legendary Kathak exponent Dr. Maya Rao, the conference is hosted by the Natya Institute of Kathak & Choreography (NIKC)—India’s premier institution for contemporary classical dance.

Scheduled to take place on 31 January and 1 February 2026 at Sabha BLR, Bengaluru, the conference brings together leading dancers, scholars, cultural thinkers, philanthropists, and audiences for two days of performances, conversations, and immersive archival encounters.

Aspect	Details
Event Name	Dr. Maya Rao Kathak & Choreography Conference (5th Edition)
Theme	Choreographing Continuum
Dates	31 January & 1 February 2026
Venue	Sabha BLR, Bengaluru
Host Institution	Natya Institute of Kathak & Choreography (NIKC)
Conference Lead	Madhu Nataraj
Curators	Dr. Anita Ratnam, Shoba Narayan
Format	Performances, panels, workshops, illustrated talks, archival experiences

Choreographing Continuum: The Fifth Edition

Titled Choreographing Continuum, the 2026 edition centres on a pressing question: How do we carry legacy forward without fossilising it? The conference approaches tradition as a dynamic process rather than a fixed inheritance, examining how choreographic thinking responds to contemporary concerns such as climate change, artificial intelligence, healing, identity, and social transformation.

Through performances, panels, workshops, and illustrated talks, the conference positions choreography as an active mode of inquiry—one that moves fluidly across time, disciplines, and lived realities.

Curatorial Vision and Participants

The 2026 edition is curated by Dr. Anita Ratnam, a trailblazing performer-scholar, and Shoba Narayan, award-winning author and journalist. Together, they shape a programme that balances intellectual rigor with artistic experimentation.

The conference features an eminent line-up of participants, including Datuk Ramli Ibrahim, Rohini Nilekani, Dr. Sandhya Purecha, Ashish Vidyarthi, Dr. Amit Wanchoo, and Madhu Nataraj, each contributing perspectives that bridge performance, policy, philosophy, and social engagement.

Dr. Maya Rao: Architect of Modern Indian Dance Thought

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Often described as the “Mother of Indian Choreography,” Dr. Maya Rao was among the first to systematise choreography in India as a discipline distinct from solo performance. Trained in Kathak under masters such as Shambhu Maharaj, she brought an analytical and dramaturgical lens to dance-making.

Her vision foregrounded structure, interdisciplinary collaboration, and the dancer as a thinking artist. Dr. Rao also played a pivotal role in shaping national arts policy and mentoring institutions across the country. The annual conference honours not only her legacy, but her insistence that tradition must continually question itself.

NIKC: A Living Institution

Founded in 1964 by Dr. Maya Rao and cultural visionary Kamaladevi Chattopadhyay, the Natya Institute of Kathak & Choreography was conceived as a radical bridge between classical discipline and contemporary imagination.

Over six decades, NIKC has trained generations of dancers, built one of India’s most significant dance archives, toured its ensemble to over 39 countries, and positioned choreography as a tool for education, social dialogue, and cultural diplomacy. Under Madhu Nataraj’s leadership, the institution continues to remain both rooted and future-facing.

Conclusion: Legacy as Living Practice

The Dr. Maya Rao Kathak & Choreography Conference 2026 stands as a vital platform for rethinking how tradition survives—not through preservation alone, but through inquiry, adaptation, and dialogue. By treating choreography as a continuum rather than a relic, the conference reaffirms the relevance of Indian classical dance in addressing contemporary realities. In doing so, it honours Dr. Maya Rao’s enduring belief that legacy lives only when it is allowed to evolve.

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