5-day Kala Yatra 2026 festival to celebrate Indian classical dance choreographies

In the world of dancing and choreography, dancing brings spontaneity and individual interpretation to performance, while choreography gives it structure, shaping steps, formations, and transitions into a cohesive visual narrative. And when they come together, they reflect culture, discipline, and creativity. The national capital is set to witness the coming together of two at the Festival of New Choreographies—Kala Yatra 2026, a five-day cultural event scheduled to take place on January 13, 14, 15, 28, and 29 at the Kamani Auditorium, where 10 eminent dance groups from seven different states will perform. 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 will celebrate traditional Indian dances, Sanatan history, and the enduring civilizational value of Bharat through contemporary choreographic expression rooted in tradition. Addressing the media at the curtain raiser, Dr. Sonal Mansingh said, “It is a civilizational 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.”The festival is structured in a way that it will bring together young and senior artists alike and give them the space to engage deeply with nuances of dancing, expressions, and narratives that speak both to timeless values and contemporary society.The curtain raiser featured addresses by prominent cultural figures, including Babu Panicker, President of the International Centre for Kathakali; Kuchipudi Guru and Sangeet Natak Akademi awardee Vanashree Rao; Kathak exponent Bhaswati Mishra; Sattriya Guru Shri Bhabananda Barbayan; Mohiniattam Guru Deepti Omchery; and Minaakshi Dass of Shriram Bharatiya Kala Kendra.The festival is being supported and promoted by the Delhi government. K. Mahesh, Secretary (Art, Culture & Languages), Government of Delhi, stated that Chief Minister Rekha Gupta and Minister of Culture Kapil Mishra are deeply committed to positioning Delhi as a global hub for cultural promotion. Reflecting this vision, the government has collaborated with Dr. Sonal Mansingh to bring together classical dance forms from seven different states through this festival.