Vasant Utsav: A festival of Folk Arts – 19 and 20 March 2026

A two-day festival of folk music,dance and art, celebrating contemporary narratives in traditional folk art. The festival includes performances, exhibition and demonstration.  

On 19 and 20 March 2026 from 11:00 to 17:30

Phulkari Embroidery Demonstration and Exhibition

An exhibition by the women artisans from Nabha, Punjab will exhibit traditional Phulkari embroidered textiles and conduct live-demonstrations and workshops. The Nabha Foundation launched the ‘Nabha Phulkari,’ the Foundation supports over 300 women artisans through the Nabha Phulkari Mahila Industrial Cooperative Society Limited.

The artist will continue to demonstrate and sing on the second day of the festival also.

On 19 March 2026 at 18:00 in the Fountain Lawns

Basant in the Land of Five Rivers: Dance and Songs from Punjab

By the artists of Universal Art and Culture Welfare Society, Mohali, who shall be performing Jundua, Gidha, Bhangra ; Folk singing by Garry Gill and Sukhbeer Pal Kaur.

On 20 March 2026 at 18:00 in the Fountain Lawns

Rhythms of Chhattisgarh: Folk Dances of the Heartland

By the artists of Indira Kala Sangit Vishwavidyalaya, Khairagarh performing Gedi Dance, Karma Dance, Sarhul Dance and many more from the region.

(Collaboration: NCZCC, Ministry of Culture, Govt. of India)

Vasant Utsav: A festival of Folk Arts – 19 and 20 March 2026

A two-day festival of folk music,dance and art, celebrating contemporary narratives in traditional folk art. The festival includes performances, exhibition and demonstration.  

On 19 and 20 March 2026 from 11:00 to 17:30

Phulkari Embroidery Demonstration and Exhibition

An exhibition by the women artisans from Nabha, Punjab will exhibit traditional Phulkari embroidered textiles and conduct live-demonstrations and workshops. The Nabha Foundation launched the ‘Nabha Phulkari,’ the Foundation supports over 300 women artisans through the Nabha Phulkari Mahila Industrial Cooperative Society Limited.

The artist will continue to demonstrate and sing on the second day of the festival also.

On 19 March 2026 at 18:00 in the Fountain Lawns

Basant in the Land of Five Rivers: Dance and Songs from Punjab

By the artists of Universal Art and Culture Welfare Society, Mohali, who shall be performing Jundua, Gidha, Bhangra ; Folk singing by Garry Gill and Sukhbeer Pal Kaur.

On 20 March 2026 at 18:00 in the Fountain Lawns

Rhythms of Chhattisgarh: Folk Dances of the Heartland

By the artists of Indira Kala Sangit Vishwavidyalaya, Khairagarh performing Gedi Dance, Karma Dance, Sarhul Dance and many more from the region.

(Collaboration: NCZCC, Ministry of Culture, Govt. of India)

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Nangiar Koothu
Emancipation of Ahalya
 

Presented by Usha Nangiar a seasoned Koodiyattam and Nangiarkoothu artist with Rajeev, Mizhavu artiste, Kalamandalam Vineesh, a Mizhavu performer, Kalanilayam Unnikrishnan, an Edakka specialist and Athira Hariharan.

Chief Guest: Shri K.N.Shrivastava, Director, IIC
 

Hindustani Khayal and Thumri Recital
 

Presented by Sniti Mishra, Hindustani classical vocalist, with Milind Vasudev on harmonium; Hrishikesh Majumdar on flute; and Ajeet Pathak on tabla,

Chief Guest: Shri N.N. Vohra, Life Trustee, IIC
 

The Splendour of Malay Dance: from tradition to contemporary
 

Presented by dancers from ASK Dance Company (ADC), featuring six artists. The performers include Zulkarnain Zuber, Jackson Janda, Nadhirah Rahmat, Yu Jun, Sera Nina, and Shan Tie.

The performance will feature a variety of traditional Malaysian dances, ranging from classical to folk styles. The program will also include new contemporary pieces created by young Malaysian choreographers, who have drawn inspiration from these traditional forms.

Chief Guest: Dr. Mahesh Verma, Trustee, IIC

Diva: The Triumph of Woman in Opera 
 

Conceptualised and presented by The Neemrana Music Foundation. Performed by women opera singers with pianist Nadine Jo Crasto, the programme will showcase some of the most celebrated opera arias — from Mozart to Puccini, Händel to Verdi, Tchaikovsky to Bizet — performed in their original languages. The concert highlights how women, in a world once dominated by men, have transcended conventions to be celebrated as divas — the “divine ones.”

Chief Guest: Dr Shailesh Nayak, Life Trustee, IIC.

FRIDAY 10

Inauguration of the Festival
By Shri Shyam Saran, President, IIC

Followed by
Bharatnatyam Recital 
By Malavika Sarukkai
Accompanists: Ms. Neela Sukhanya S; Ms. Krithika Arvind; Mr. Nellai Balaji Azhwar; and Mr. S.Venkata Subramanian

 

Love Ballad of Jharkhand

By Megha Sriram Dalton, from Daltonganj, Jharkhand. Megha is today one of the most promising folk singers of the state. Apart from folk, she has also made her debut in Bollywood giving them the best songs. She was awarded a scholarship from H.R.D. Ministry, Govt. of India for working and promoting folk music of Uttar Pradesh and Bihar. Megha gained popularity following her coke studio performance with Shankar Mahadevan