New Delhi, Nov 04: Returning for its second edition, the three-day celebration of India’s folk, tribal and craft traditions will take place at Sunder Nursery, New Delhi, from November 13–15, 2026.
Organised by SPIC MACAY, the festival will bring together renowned folk and tribal artists from across India for nine performances celebrating the country’s rich and diverse cultural heritage. Alongside these, visitors can explore 11 traditional crafts from across the country, showcased by more than 100 artists and craftspeople.
The festival is held in collaboration with the Aga Khan Trust for Culture, with support from Sudha Sangini Foundation.
Dedicated to Pandavani legend Smt. Teejan Bai, Anant Utsav 2026 celebrates the performers and artisans who keep India’s diverse cultural traditions alive. Pandavani, the narrative singing tradition of Chhattisgarh that brings episodes from the Mahabharata to life through music, storytelling and dramatic expression, is at the heart of this year’s dedication.
The festival is part of SPIC MACAY’s public outreach initiative and aims to bring these traditions to audiences beyond educational institutions.
SPIC MACAY has long partnered with like-minded organisations and government bodies to bring classical music and dance to audiences across India. While SPIC MACAY’s primary focus has been on organising programmes in educational institutions for students, this partnership at the World Heritage Site Museum of Humayun’s Tomb and the Sunder Nursery Garden Amphitheatre, an initiative of the Aga Khan Trust for Culture, is a significant expansion of SPIC MACAY’s mission and will engage wider audiences with India’s rich culture and vibrant heritage.
Ahead of Anant Utsav 2026, Dr. Kiran Seth, Founder of SPIC MACAY, highlighted the importance of taking India’s rich cultural heritage beyond traditional performance spaces and bringing it closer to wider audiences. He said, “India’s cultural heritage lives through the artists, performers and craftspeople who continue to practise and pass on these traditions. Anant Utsav offers an opportunity for audiences, particularly young people, to experience this diversity first-hand and understand the value of keeping these art forms alive.”
Anant Utsav 2026 is strengthened by the support of the Sudha Sangini Foundation, an organisation that works with various sections of society, including tribal women, and supports environmental initiatives. Sangeet Sudha is also associated with the festival through Suman Doonga, its Director who expressed her views as, “Anant Utsav is an opportunity to bring together folk and tribal traditions, storytelling and crafts from across India in one shared space. This year’s dedication to Smt. Teejan Bai recognises the contribution of an artist whose work has brought Pandavani to wider audiences. Through this festival, we hope to encourage greater appreciation of the artists and artisans who preserve our cultural heritage.”
The festival’s evening programme will feature three performances each day, introducing audiences to distinct regional traditions.
Day 1 | Friday, November 13th, 2026 :
Harikatha by Smt. Vishakha Hari (Tamil Nadu)
A beautiful blend of spiritual storytelling, poetry, philosophy and classical music, Harikatha draws audiences into timeless stories from sacred texts, bringing their wisdom and human dilemmas alive through word and melody.
Bodo Dance by Shri Sanjeev Kumar (Assam)
Rhythmic, spirited and rooted in community life, Bodo dance offers a glimpse into the cultural traditions of Assam’s Bodo community through expressive movement and music.
Pandavani by Smt. Prabha Yadav (Chhattisgarh)
Pandavani brings the Mahabharata to life through powerful singing, storytelling and dramatic enactment. The performance honours a tradition closely associated with Smt. Teejan Bai, to whom this year’s festival is dedicated.
Day 2 | Saturday, November 14th, 2026 :
Ottanthullal by Kalamandalam Mohanakrishnan (Kerala)
With lively movement, expressive storytelling and a touch of satire, Kerala’s Ottanthullal combines dance and poetry in an engaging performance that entertains even as it invites reflection.
Phisharo Jagoi by Atinga (Manipur)
This presentation offers audiences an opportunity to encounter Manipur’s distinctive dance heritage through the performer’s movement, rhythm and cultural expression.
Dastangoi by Shri Mahmood Farooqui
An art of storytelling that relies on the power of the spoken word, Dastangoi transports listeners into worlds of adventure, imagination and intrigue, with the storyteller’s voice and expression creating the drama.
Day 3 | Sunday, November 15th, 2026 :
Gayan Bayan by Shri Ghana Kanta Bora (Assam)
A vibrant devotional tradition from Assam, Gayan Bayan brings together singing, percussion and cymbals in a rhythmic presentation where music and coordinated movement create an immersive cultural experience.
Chakravyuha in Mayurbhanj Chhau by Shri Pradip Kumar Mishra (Odisha)
Martial movements, athletic footwork and dramatic expression come together in Mayurbhanj Chhau to bring the Mahabharata’s episode of Chakravyuha to life, evoking the tension and complexity of the legendary battle formation.
Kabir Vani by Shri Prahlad Singh Tipania (Madhya Pradesh)
Through soulful folk singing, Prahlad Singh Tipania brings Kabir’s timeless verses to life, sharing reflections on devotion, equality and the search for truth through the musical traditions of Malwa.
CRAFT WORKSHOPS AND STALLS : 11:00 AM to 7:00 PM
Through its craft workshops and stalls, SPIC MACAY seeks to create a wholesome cultural experience for visitors, bringing them closer to India’s art, craftsmanship and traditions, along with the generations of knowledge and cultural context that sustain them.
Orissa Pattachitra Painting by Shri Purna Chandra Maharana
Fine lines, vivid colours and intricate storytelling distinguish Odisha’s Pattachitra paintings, where mythological narratives and traditional imagery unfold across carefully prepared surfaces.
Kalighat Painting by Shri Noordin Chitrakar
Bold brushstrokes, flowing lines and striking colours give Kalighat painting its unmistakable character, bringing mythological figures and scenes of everyday life vividly to the canvas.
Phad Painting by Shri Kalyan Joshi
Originating in Rajasthan, Phad painting transforms long scrolls into richly detailed visual narratives, traditionally depicting local deities and legendary tales through a sequence of scenes.
Cheriyal Painting by Shri D. Vaikuntam
Bright colours and distinctive figures bring Telangana’s Cheriyal scroll paintings to life, preserving stories from mythology and regional folklore through a lively tradition of visual storytelling.
Chittara Painting by Shri Ishwar Naik
Inspired by nature and community life, Karnataka’s Chittara tradition uses intricate geometric patterns to create striking designs rooted in local cultural practices.
Kashmir Papier Mache by Shri Basharat Hussain
Delicate hand-painted motifs transform papier-mâché into decorative works of art, showcasing the fine detailing, floral patterns and vibrant colours associated with Kashmir’s craft heritage.
Tarkashi by Shri Nemi Chandra Shakya
The intricate art of Tarkashi involves inlaying fine metal wire into wood to create delicate patterns, revealing the precision and patience behind this traditional craft of Mainpuri, Uttar Pradesh.
Bagru Block Printing by Shri Lal Chand Chipa
Carved wooden blocks, repeated motifs and carefully layered prints bring Bagru’s celebrated textile tradition to life, offering a glimpse into Rajasthan’s enduring hand-printing heritage.
Terracotta Molela by Shri Jamna Lal Kumhar
Shaped by hand from clay, Molela’s distinctive terracotta plaques depict deities and traditional narratives, reflecting Rajasthan’s rich relationship with the earth and its craft traditions.
Calligraphy in Wood Carving by Janab Mohd. Ameen Farooqi
The grace of calligraphic lettering meets the precision of wood carving in this craft, where written forms are transformed into intricate decorative designs.
Calligraphy Writing by Janab Mushtaq Ahmed
Through graceful strokes and carefully balanced lettering, calligraphy celebrates the written word as an art form, revealing the beauty of line, rhythm and composition.
