Posted on 1 October 2026:
💫 #YathraRhythm
Nritya Fest 2026: Delhi Comes Alive with Classical Grace
Nrityalaya (Regd.) presents the 9th edition of Nritya Fest 2026, a grand celebration of Indian classical dance and music, on Sunday, October 4, 2026, from 2:30 PM to 9:30 PM at the Shri Ram Centre for Performing Arts, Mandi House, New Delhi. Entry is free, on a first-come, first-served basis.
The evening opens with a traditional lamp-lighting ceremony graced by eminent figures from the arts and cultural world, followed by vibrant Kathak and Bharatanatyam recitals by Nrityalaya’s students and guest artists.
The festival’s centre piece is the stage premiere of Bhaja Govindam – A Path to Awakening — a soulful Bharatanatyam production choreographed by Hritika Aneesh. Drawing from Adi Shankaracharya’s timeless philosophy, the piece journeys through desire and attachment before arriving at Navavidha Bhakti — a meditation on spiritual fulfilment.
The Cultural Meeting and Award Ceremony glimmers as an evening of distinction, unfolding between 6:30 and 7:00 PM. In this brief yet luminous span, voices from the judiciary, administration, and the arts converge—an elegant tapestry of wisdom and creativity.
Hon’ble Justice (Rtd.) Shri Kurian Joseph, Former Judge of the Supreme Court of India, lends the gravitas of law; Shri Raju Das, Secretary of the Sangeet Natak Akademi, embodies the nation’s cultural pulse; and Shri Nidhin Valsan, IPS, Additional Commissioner of Police, brings the discipline of service. Alongside them, artistry finds its resonance in Dr. Deepti Omchery Bhalla, Mohiniyattam exponent and Akademi awardee; Shri Babu Panicker, President of the International Centre for Kathakali; Shri K. R. Manoj, Managing Director of Western Control Automation Pvt. Ltd.; and Smt. Sujithra Aneesh, Founder Director of Nrityalaya.
Together, they form a rare confluence—an evening where law, governance, and art meet in harmony, celebrating excellence with dignity and grace.
The evening’s Cultural Meeting will honor distinguished personalities with the Kalashreshtha, Yuva Kalashreshtha, Sanskriti Seva Samman and Guru Samman awards, celebrating excellence and service to classical arts.
Crowning the night is a special recital by Bismillah Khan Yuva Puraskar awardee Shri Parshwanath Upadhye, whose artistry promises a fitting finale to an evening devoted to tradition, talent and timeless rhythm.
💫 #YathraRhythm — Poetry in Motion
