New Delhi, Jan 07: The curtain was formally raised today on the much-anticipated Festival of New Choreographies KalaYatra 2026, a never-seen-before five-day cultural odyssey featuring ten eminent dance groups from across Bharat.
Presented by the Department of Art, Culture & Language, Government of Delhi, NCT, in collaboration with the Centre for Indian Classical Dances (Shri Kamakhya Kalapeeth) and Padma Vibhushan Dr. Sonal Mansingh, the festival celebrates traditional Indian dances, Sanatan history, and the enduring civilisational value of Bharat through contemporary choreographic expression rooted in tradition.
The Curtain Raiser was graced by Padma Vibhushan Dr. Sonal Mansingh, Founder-President of the Centre for Indian Classical Dances and visionary curator of the festival, along with Shri K. Mahesh, Secretary (Art, Culture & Languages), Government of Delhi, NCT, and senior officials of the Delhi Government. A distinguished panel of Gurus, choreographers, and cultural leaders representing diverse dance traditions of India also addressed the gathering. The speakers reflected on the relevance of new choreographies in traditional dance forms, the responsibility of Gurus in shaping cultural consciousness, and the importance of platforms that nurture artistic innovation while remaining anchored in Bharatiya values.
Speaking on the occasion, Dr. Sonal Mansingh said:
“Festival of New Choreographies is not merely a culture event, it is a civilisational dialogue. New choreographies are essential to keep our classical traditions alive, responsive and relevant. When rooted in our sacred wisdom and lived realities, innovation becomes a continuation of tradition, not its rupture.”
She further emphasised that Festival of New Choreographies 2026 is envisioned as a space where young and senior artistes alike engage deeply with India’s cultural inheritance, presenting narratives that speak both to timeless values and contemporary society.
“ Chief Minister of Delhi, Smt. Rekha Gupta ji, Hon’ble Minister of Culture, Shri Kapil Mishra ji, are absolutely dedicated and committed to make Delhi a global center for the promotion of culture, and it is in this spirit that our govt. has collaborated with Dr Sonal Mansingh ji to have these classical dance forms from seven different states represented in this festival,” said Shri K. Mahesh, Secretary (Art, Culture & Languages), Government of Delhi, NCT.
The Curtain Raiser featured insightful addresses by Shri Babu Panicker, President, International Centre for Kathakali; Smt. Vanashree Rao, eminent Kuchipudi Guru & Sangeet Natak Akademi Awardee; Smt. Bhaswati Mishra, eminent Kathak Maestro & Choreographer; Smt. Sindhu Mishra, eminent Guru & Choreographer; Shri Bhabananda Barbayan, eminent Sattriya Guru & Bismillah Khan Yuva Puraskar awardee; Smt. Deepti Omchery, eminent Mohiniattam Guru & Sangeet Natak Akademi Awardee; Smt. Minaakshi Dass, Trustee, Shriram Bharatiya Kala Kendra.
Each speaker underscored the festival’s national character, the diversity of dance vocabularies being showcased, and the significance of Delhi as a cultural capital of India.