A SHOWCASE OF INDIA'S PERFORMING ARTS

The festival was ceremoniously inaugurated on January 13 at Kamani Auditorium

- OUR CORRESPONDENT

It was a moment of cultural significance for the National Capital when the much-awaited 'Festival of New Choreographies: Kalayatra 2026' was ceremoniously inaugurated on January 13 at Kamani Auditorium, heralding a five-day national celebration of India's living classical dance tra-

ditions. Conceived and curated by Padma Vibhushan Dr Sonal Mansingh, the festival brings together 10 eminent dance institutions from across Bharat, presenting powerful new choreographic works rooted in civilisational wisdom and artistic rigour.

Jointly presented by the Department of Art, Culture & Languages, Government of NCT of Delhi and the Centre for Indian Classical Dances (Shri Kamakhya Kalapeeth), the festival marks a rare confluence of governance, Guruship and creative vision, reiterating Delhi's position as a vibrant cultural capital of India.

The inauguration was attended by senior government officials and distinguished dignitaries, as well as cultural leaders and iconic artists such as Uma Sharma, Malini Awasthi, Dr Sachchidanand Joshi, Vanashree Rao, Geeta Chandran, Wasifuddin Dagar, Sharon Lowen, Saswati Sen, Ranjana Gauhar, among others. The packed auditorium bore testimony to the deep resonance that classical dance continues to hold in the cultural consciousness of the city and the nation.