KNMA Dance Festival 2026 – The Call of the Beloved

KNMA Dance Festival 2026 – The Call of the Beloved is a four-day celebration of India's diverse dance traditions, presented by the Kiran Nadar Museum of Art (KNMA). Curated by Leela Samson, the festival brings together senior and emerging artists across classical, folk and ritual forms.

The festival will take place from 15 to 18 October 2026, from 6:00 PM to 9:00 PM, at Sunder Nursery, New Delhi. Its central theme explores the many expressions of love — from romantic longing and devotion to surrender, friendship and spiritual transcendence.

Programme Highlights

• Day 1: Chenda Melam, Anaṅga Raṅga and Ānanda-līlā, exploring rhythm, desire and divine love.

• Day 2: Manipuri Sankirtana, Śṛṅgāra-mañjarī, Prema Darpaṇa and Anurāgam, exploring devotion and spiritual transformation.

• Day 3: Kādal, Milan and Anurākti, exploring friendship, romance, devotion and longing.

• Day 4: Bhakti, Praṇidhāna, Raṅg Rūḥānī and Basanta Anurāga, exploring devotion, surrender and transcendence.

The festival features artists and groups representing traditions including Odissi, Bharatanatyam, Kathak, Manipuri, Kerala's ritual traditions and folk forms, alongside music and theatrical elements. Participating artists include Madhavi Mudgal, Vaishali Trivedi, Swapnasundari, Bragha Bessel, Guru Dr. Aruna Mohanty and several other leading practitioners.

The setting at Sunder Nursery, near Humayun's Tomb, adds a heritage dimension to the performances, creating an open-air cultural experience that brings India's performing traditions together in a historic landscape.