Guru Pranam Utsav 2026: a celebration of classical arts

Guru Pranam Utsav 2026, a two-day celebration of Indian classical arts, is set to take place at the India Habitat Centre on April 9 and 10. Organised by Vaishali Kala Kendra with support from the Ministry of Culture, Government of India, the festival honours the enduring Guru-Shishya Parampara while marking the 150th anniversary of Vande Mataram, a song synonymous with the spirit of the nation.

Bringing together acclaimed maestros and emerging talents, the festival seeks to transform heritage into a shared experience of rhythm, devotion and artistic expression across dance and music traditions.

The opening evening on April 9 will focus on Indian classical dance at the Stein Auditorium. The programme will feature performances by Guru Dr Jyoti Shrivastava and troupe, presenting Odissi, alongside a Bharatnatyam recital by Padmashri Pratibha Prahlad. Guru Minu Thakur will present a Kuchipudi performance, reflecting the diversity and depth of classical dance forms. The evening will be graced by Raju Das, Secretary of the Sangeet Natak Akademi, as the Chief Guest.

The second evening on April 10 shifts focus to Indian classical music at the Amaltas Auditorium. The lineup includes a vocal recital by Siddharth Kishore, a flute performance by Siddharth Dalbehera, and a tabla presentation by Shubhendu Das, offering a blend of melody and rhythm rooted in tradition. Indranil Gupta, Founder Director and CEO of BrandNEW, will attend as the Chief Guest.

When: April 9–10; 7 PM onwards

Where: India Habitat Centre, New Delhi