8th Mahindra Kabira Festival 2024 to be held in Varanasi

Celebrating the life and philosophy of 15th-century mystic poet Sant Kabir, the eighth edition of Mahindra Kabira Festival will be held again in Varanasi, from December 13 to 15. The festival will immerse attendees in a vibrant mix of music, literature, and cultural heritage, featuring an exceptional line-up of artists from across India.

A celebration of music, heritage and culture in the one of the holiest cities of India is back with its eighth edition. The Mahindra Kabira Festival which brings together an exceptional line-up of artistes and performers from various corners of the country to celebrate the life of the 15th century poet Kabir will be held from December 13-15 in Varanasi. 

In a press statement, the organisers say that the event is set to begin with an opening reception, featuring a Carnatic Quartet comprising four artistes who will play compositions from the Carnatic to the semi-classical repertoire, interpreted through their instruments, exploring themes of divinity, nature, and their interconnectedness. The performance has been curated and conceptualised by Shreya Devnath, a Carnatic vocalist and violinist.

The first night will also feature another highlight event, a special performance by artiste Anadi Nagar, who will perform a musical set of a selection of folk and theatre songs by fusing modern and traditional Indian music.

“The Mahindra Group is proud to present the eighth edition of the Mahindra Kabira Festival! The growing appeal of this celebration in Varanasi is truly heartening to witness. To revisit Sant Kabir’s ideas in a variety of ways: through different genres of music, literature sessions and heritage walks and to live and breathe in an ancient city where he himself lived is truly an experience of a lifetime,” says Jay Shah, Head of Cultural Outreach, Mahindra Group.

The two-day extravaganza promises attendees an unforgettable and magical journey through Indian music and poetry, complemented by the mesmerising Ganga Aarti on the banks of the holy Ganga River. The festival will feature a vibrant Morning Music programme each day, showcasing rejuvenating performances. Highlights include Man Lago Re programme by Yusra Naqvi, a versatile vocalist and instrumentalist, and Sarvatara, an ensemble of musicians led by Himanshu Mishra and mentored by Guru Pandit Mithilesh Kumar Jha. This group will perform a rich blend of musical genres, including semi-classical fusion, Sufi, indie folk fusion, classical, and folk instruments, offering an eclectic and soulful experience.  

In the afternoons, distinguished sessions will unfold, beginning with Dr Archana Sharma, a scientist at CERN who will present her coffee table book, co-authored with Anil Sharma and Rajesh K Singh, which celebrates the city of Varanasi in English, Hindi, and Sanskrit. Purushottam Agrawal, former visiting professor at Cambridge University and author of the book titled, Akath Kahani Prem Ki: Kabir ki Kavita aur Un ka Samay, will delve into the profound philosophy of Kabir, in a talk titled Why Kabir? 

Additionally, Dastaan-e-Kabir by Himanshu Bajpai and Pragya Sharma, a captivating dastangoi, a performance which combines oral storytelling with theatre performance, will explore the life, poetry, and timeless wisdom of the legendary mystic poet Kabir.

Evening programmes will include performances by varied voices from Kerala to Bengal, say the organisers.