Kalashram's 28th Vasantotsava Festival Illuminates Delhi with Classical Arts
The prestigious Kalashram, founded by the legendary Kathak maestro Pt Birju Maharaj, successfully organized the 28th edition of its annual Vasantotsava festival from February 2 to 4, 2026. This three-day celebration of Indian classical dance and music was held at the iconic Kamani Auditorium in Delhi, drawing packed audiences each evening despite the winter chill.
Inauguration and Prestigious Award Ceremony
The festival was formally inaugurated by Dr Sachchidanand Joshi, who serves as the Member Secretary and Executive and Academic Head of the Indira Gandhi National Centre for the Arts in New Delhi. A highlight of the opening day was the Pt Birju Maharaj Samman 2026 award ceremony, where the honor was conferred upon the renowned vocalist duo Rajan Misra and Sajan Misra.
Sajan Misra received the award during the Samman Samaroh, where he emotionally recounted his decades-long association with Pt Birju Maharaj. The award was presented by eminent classical dancers Dr Sonal Mansingh and Shovana Narayan, adding to the ceremony's significance.
Tribute to Classical Legends Through Performance
This year's Vasantotsava paid heartfelt homage to four legendary artists who had been honored in previous editions: sitar maestro Ravi Shankar, Kathak exponent Kumudini Lakhia, thumri singer Girija Devi, and the Misra brothers. Their legacy was celebrated through performances by their senior disciples.
- Sitarist Shubhendra Rao performed in tribute to Ravi Shankar.
- Prabhakar and Divakar Kashyap honored Kumudini Lakhia.
- Sunanda Sharma paid homage to Girija Devi.
- The Kadam troupe from Ahmedabad performed for the Misra brothers.
Diverse Performances by Leading Artists
The festival showcased an impressive array of group performances led by some of India's most celebrated classical dancers. Ensembles were directed by Shovana Narayan, Jai Kishan Maharaj, Krishan Mohan Mishra, Rajendra Gangani, Vaswati Misra, Malti Shyam, Jayashree Acharya, Paramita Maitra, Luna Poddar, Vidha Lal, and Shinjini Kulkarni.
Solo and duet performances further enriched the program, featuring artists such as Piyush Chauhan, Ragini and Yashaswini Maharaj, Tribhuwan Maharaj, Canada-based Tanveer Alam, and UK-based Tulani Kayani Skeef. This international participation highlighted the global reach of Indian classical arts.
Grand Finale and Overwhelming Response
With over 100 dancers participating across the three days, the festival culminated in a spectacular finale titled VYOM. This memorable trio presentation featured Saswati Sen, Mamta Maharaj, and Deepak Maharaj, choreographed by the acclaimed Madhavi Mudgal.
The finale also included more than ten young dancers and received a prolonged standing ovation from the capacity audience at Kamani Auditorium. The festival's vision, originally conceived by Pt Birju Maharaj, continues to successfully celebrate and disseminate the rich heritage of Indian classical dance and music through carefully curated performances by leading artists from across India and abroad.
