Classical Music and Dance Festivals Across India – February 2026 Overview

In February 2026, several classical music and dance festivals took place across India, continuing the cultural momentum that usually follows the major gatherings in February. Among them were the SwarDarbar Sangeet Sammelan in Kolkata, the Khajuraho Dance Festival in Madhya Pradesh, and the Thumri Festival organized by the ITC Sangeet Research Academy in Kolkata. Although each festival focused on a different aspect of India’s classical arts, together they reflected the continuing role of organized cultural platforms in presenting live performances and bringing artists and audiences together. Seen from the perspective of March, these festivals formed an important part of the early months of the classical performance calendar.

SwarDarbar Sangeet Sammelan – Kolkata

The SwarDarbar Sangeet Sammelan has gradually developed into an important platform for Indian classical music. Organized by SwarDarbar, an institution active in both India and the United States, the festival focuses on preserving traditional forms of classical music while encouraging the continuation of the Guru–Shishya tradition. The 2026 edition took place on 21 and 22 February at Uttam Mancha in Kolkata and was presented jointly with Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan in association with 91.9 Friends FM. Over two evenings, the festival brought together vocalists, instrumentalists, and dancers representing different strands of the Hindustani classical tradition.

The program included vocal recitals, instrumental performances on sitar, sarod, and santoor, and Kathak dance presentations. The programming reflected SwarDarbar’s broader aim of presenting established musicians alongside younger artists connected to traditional musical lineages. For audiences in Kolkata, the Sammelan added another important event to the city’s active classical music environment, where festivals and concerts continue to attract listeners interested in extended live performances.

Khajuraho Dance Festival – Khajuraho

The Khajuraho Dance Festival is one of India’s most recognized celebrations of classical dance. Initiated in 1975, it is organized by the Ustad Alauddin Khan Music and Art Academy with support from the Madhya Pradesh Tourism Department. The performances take place in an open-air setting near the Western Group of Temples in Khajuraho, a UNESCO World Heritage site known for its temple sculptures depicting music and dance. The 2026 edition of the festival was held from 20 February to 26 February, with evening performances beginning at 7:00 PM.

Over seven evenings, the festival presented artists representing a wide range of classical dance traditions, including Kathak, Bharatanatyam, Odissi, Manipuri, Mohiniyattam, Kuchipudi, Kathakali, and Chhau. Performers included Mamata Shankar, Anuradha Vikraman, Shubha Mudgal, Vishwajeet Dutt, Prabhat Kumar Mohanty, Amrita Narayan, Thobjeum Leima Devi, Durga Devi Raut, Satbir Rangayan, Nayana Iyer, Kalamandalam Keshavan, Padmaja Reddy, Shinjini Kulkarni, Leela Chitrani, Kalamandalam Kshemavathy, Saswati Sen, Supriya Sahu, Navarashmi Devi, Houssoo Pandit, Supriya Hazari, Prathibha Prahlad, Bhavana Reddy, and Prabhushna Panda. Together, these performances presented a broad view of India’s classical dance traditions within the historic surroundings of the Khajuraho temple complex.

Thumri Festival – Kolkata

The Thumri Festival, organized by the ITC Sangeet Research Academy, focused on the semi-classical vocal genre of thumri. Historically associated with the court culture of nineteenth-century Awadh under Nawab Wajid Ali Shah, thumri developed as a lyrical musical form known for its emphasis on emotional expression and poetic interpretation. The 2026 festival was held on 14 and 15 February at the academy’s premises in Kolkata.

The program included both vocal and instrumental presentations connected with the thumri tradition. The opening evening featured vocal performances by Kaushiki Chakraborty and Shubha Mudgal, along with instrumental presentations by Debopriya Chatterjee on sitar and Shashank Subramanyam on flute. The second evening included a performance by senior vocalist Ajoy Chakrabarty, continuing the exploration of thumri and related semi-classical forms. Through these performances, the festival highlighted the continuing presence of thumri within today’s concert environment.

Taken together, these three festivals represented different aspects of India’s classical performing arts during February 2026. The SwarDarbar Sangeet Sammelan focused on Hindustani classical music and the continuity of traditional musical training. The Khajuraho Dance Festival presented several classical dance traditions in a historic architectural setting, while the Thumri Festival concentrated on a semi-classical vocal form known for its lyrical and expressive qualities.

Viewed from the perspective of March, these festivals once again demonstrated how India’s classical arts are sustained by the combined efforts of organizers, performers, accompanists, and audiences who remain committed to the experience of live performance.