Under a dazzling full moon, the Jodhpur RIFF (Rajasthan International Folk Festival) features cross-genre collaborations behind the red sandstone walls of Mehrangarh Fort, stronghold of the Suryavanshi Rathores. Annually, it plays host to not only the troubadours of Thar, but also singers and instrumentalists from around the world.
India’s cultural festival calendar ideally begins in mid-September and ends with Varanasi’s Sankat Mochan Music Festival in early April. Over the years, curators, heritage enthusiasts and organizers have realized the power and appeal of the art-architecture-history-nature mix. Temples, palaces, forts, valleys, and river banks have been turned into performance arenas allowing the audience to take in the sounds and sights simultaneously. As for the artists, the unconventional setting inspires them to reinvent their craft. With their flexible formats, these festivals are also ideal venues for forging artistic collaborations. Here, the art becomes as accessible to the connoisseur as it is to the novice.
Ziro Festival in Arunachal Pradesh | photo credit: Shiv Ahuja
Travel from west to east across India to enter the land of the Apatani tribes in Arunachal Pradesh for the Ziro festival held every year in November. Many music lovers set up tents in the picturesque landscape to participate in experiments with sound. The recently concluded fest brings together the best of acts from across the country and abroad.
It is a unique experience to listen to the verses of Kabir while sitting on the banks of the Ganges. About 500 years ago mystic poets used to roam these ghats talking of love and compassion. The three-day Mahindra Kabira Mahotsav, held in November (from November 18 to November 20 this year), apart from providing an immersive experience of life in Banaras, brings to the masses the essence of Kabir’s philosophy through classical and brings together Sufi musicians and bands. Age audience.
Mahindra Kabira Festival is held in Varanasi Photo Credit: Teamwork Arts
immersive experience
“This was the objective when we launched the festival in 2016 with the support of the Mahindra Group. With each edition, we’ve realized that the program is doing a lot more for the visiting experience. The visitors enjoy the music and literature sessions as much as the heritage walk. Curator and Managing Director of Teamwork Arts, Sanjay K. “Many of them have fallen in love with this ancient city even as they rediscover Kabir,” says Roy.
It is the sound of Ghungroo that brings alive the touristy yet serene town of Konark in Odisha. The grand dance festival (December 1 to 5, 2022), started in 1986, is held in the sprawling lawns of the grand 13th-century Sun Temple. A festival that should top the list of every Indian classical dance lover, it is a celebration of art, history and heritage. But if you miss attending it, Konark also plays host to a music and dance festival every year in February. Started by the late Odissi exponent and Guru Gangadhar Pradhan, it is held in the open-air Natya Mandapa (replica of the Sun Temple Natyashala), a three-tiered dome-shaped structure with beautifully carved sculptures that surround the semi-circular forms the phase boundary.
free space
According to Durga Charan Ranbir, founder of Nrityayan, a Bhubaneswar-based Odissi dance institute, “realizing that the art cannot survive in isolated spaces and should not be confined to closed-door auditoriums, Guru Pradhan started this established the location. We need more like this. ,
Natya Mandap where the Konark Music and Dance Festival is held. Photo Credit: Special Arrangement
When it comes to cultural festivals, Odisha tops the charts. The Rajarani Utsav at the 11th-century Rajarani Temple near Bhubaneswar or the Dhauli-Kalinga Festival held at the foothills of the historic Dhauli Hills with the Peace Pagoda in the backdrop is also a major attraction.
Where after Odisha? Your cultural journey has just begun. There is much more to discover and enjoy. December isn’t just one of the coldest months of the year, it’s also one of the most culturally active. And, if it is December, then of course the destination should be Chennai. The city, with its unique ‘sabha’ (performance venues) culture, draws hordes of tourists from around the world to the Margazi Festival, a grand display of the classical arts.
Closer to Chennai is Mamallapuram, the site of the annual Indian Dance Festival (December 25, 2022 to January 15, 2023). The imposing rock-cut Pallava Shore Temple stands like a silent sentinel a few steps away from the open-air platform, firmly establishing a connection with the past.
Tansen ceremony at Behat, Gwalior | Photo Credit: Special Arrangement
Meanwhile, those who wish to enjoy music from one of the popular gharanas of Hindustani music can head to Behat village in Gwalior for the Tansen Samaroh. Artists will perform near Mian Tansen’s tomb in the program to be held from 25 to 30 December. The festival, which began nine decades ago as a celebration of Hindustani music, now accommodates international music genres in its programme.
Harivallabh Sangeet Sammelan in Jalandhar | Photo Credit: Special Arrangement
The Sawai Gandharva Bhimsen Festival was inaugurated by the legend himself Pt. Bhimsen Joshi. The 68th edition will be held in Pune from December 14 to 18, 2022. Punjab Gharana has given many luminaries apart from being the home of India’s oldest music festival, Harivallabh Sangeet Sammelan (December 25 to 27, 2022). Still organized in meeting style, Dhrupad recital and presentation of Raga Bahar is an integral part of this 146-year-old event held in Jalandhar.
December is also when you can visit Goa for the Serendipity Arts Festival (December 15 to December 23, 2022). One of the largest multi-disciplinary events, it spans the visual, performing and culinary arts, apart from film, literature and fashion.
Hornbill Festival in Kohima | Photo Credit: Getty Images
As the year draws to a close, it’s hard to decide your cultural pitstops. From December 1 to December 10, the annual Hornbill festival takes you into the heart of Nagaland. There is a heritage village in Kisama (near Kohima) where several Naga tribal communities gather during the festival to offer visitors a piece of their crafts, arts and sports traditions.
Come January, it is time to pay homage to Tyagaraja, one of the Karnataka Trinity, at Tiruvaiyaru. Tyagaraja Aradhana brings together Carnatic singers and instrumentalists apart from the presence of thousands of devotees.
Sharanya Chandran, daughter of renowned Bharatanatyam dancer Geeta Chandran, performing in Khajuraho | Photo Credit: amfaruki
Culture activities peak again in February. The Khajuraho Dance Festival (February 20 to 26, 2023) was started 47 years ago to showcase the country’s classical dance heritage. It is located in a courtyard of temples built by the Chandela dynasty, and is famous for its intricately carved sculptures. Another spectacular event in Madhya Pradesh is the Holy River Festival (February 4 to 6, 2023), held at the massive Ahilyabai Holkar Fort by the Narmada in Maheshwar.
Every year, more cultural events are being added to the already long list. But before we end, a quick trip to Mehrangarh Fort, from where we started the journey. Experience the spiritual significance of music that transcends geographies and communities at the Sacred Spirit Festival (February 10 to 12, 2023). Like this journey, the purpose of this festival is to inspire and awaken the divine within us.