By — Dilip Guha

 Hon’ble Tourism Minister Kapil Mishra, Padma Shri Guru Dr Raja Radha Reddy, and the MD & CEO of Delhi Tourism inaugurated the Indraprastha Nritya Mahotsav 2026 at Delhi’s historic Purana Qila on October 2. The festival, known for celebrating India’s classical dance traditions, returned with its second edition featuring over 150 dancers from India and abroad.

The event showcased a vibrant confluence of tradition and creativity, with performances by distinguished gurus, eminent artists, and emerging talents. Award-winning maestros including Padma awardees, Sangeet Natak Akademi honorees, Ustad Bismillah Khan Yuva Puraskar recipients, and Doordarshan’s top-grade artists presented diverse dance forms ranging from Kuchipudi, Bharatanatyam, Kathak, Odissi, Manipuri, Sattriya, Mohiniyattam, Kathakali to folk rhythms.

A special highlight was the light and sound show narrating the history of Indraprastha and the Yamuna, adding depth to the cultural experience. Each evening offered audiences a journey through rhythm, expression, and emotion, bridging age-old traditions with contemporary sensibilities.

The festival featured performances by leading names such as Natya Tarangini’s Raja and Radha Reddy, Malaysia’s Ramli Ibrahim, Kalakshetra Chennai, Guru Vaswati Mishra, Parshwanath Upadhye, Guru Anita Sharma, Guru Pallavi Krishnan, Guru Shama Bhate, Nrityagram’s Surupa Sen, Guru Latasana Devi, and Guru Vaibhav Arekar in a specially curated finale.

For Delhiites and visitors, the Mahotsav offered a rare opportunity to witness India’s rich classical dance heritage at a historic venue, reaffirming the timeless beauty of Indian culture and its enduring relevance.