KalaYatra 2026: a festival of new choreographies

The Department of Art, Culture & Language, Government of Delhi, will present the Festival of New Choreographies – KalaYatra 2026 across five evenings in January at Kamani Auditorium, New Delhi. Curated by Padma Vibhushan awardee Dr Sonal Mansingh, the festival brings together new choreographic works by ten dance institutions from across India.

Organised in collaboration with the Centre for Indian Classical Dances (Shri Kamakhya Kalapeeth), the festival focuses on contemporary choreographies rooted in classical dance traditions. The presentations draw from history, mythology, social themes and ecological concerns, interpreted through diverse Indian classical dance forms.

The festival opens on January 13 with Amrut-Manthan, directed and choreographed by Dr Sonal Mansingh and performed by repertory artistes of the Centre for Indian Classical Dances, followed by Athijeevanam, a Kathakali production directed by Guru TB Jagadeesan. Subsequent evenings will feature works in Kuchipudi, Yakshagana, Kathak, Sattriya, Odissi and other classical traditions.

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Notable productions include Karna – Bound by Fate by Guru Vaibhav Arekar, Duryodhana by Guru Ratikant Mohapatra, Chakravyuha by Shriram Bharatiya Kala Kendra, and Matrika by the Rainbow Dance Troupe, a professional LGBTQ+ collective. Each evening will present two choreographic works.

In addition to stage performances, the foyer of Kamani Auditorium will host a photographic exhibition tracing the journey of the Centre for Indian Classical Dances since its founding in 1977.

When: January 13-15; 28- 29

Where: Kamani Auditorium, New Delhi