27th Swami Haridas Tansen Mahotsav to celebrate Indian classical music in Delhi

The 27th edition of the Swami Haridas Tansen Sangeet Nritya Mahotsav will be held in New Delhi from January 9 to January 11.

The three-day classical music and dance festival will take place at Sir Shankar Lal Hall, Modern School, Barakhamba Road, with performances scheduled every evening.

Legendary flautist Pt. Hariprasad Chaurasia , acclaimed vocalist Begum Parween Sultana , sitar maestro Shujaat Khan , Grammy Award-winning musician Pt. Vishwa Mohan Bhatt , and his son Pt. Salil Bhatt , creator of the Satvik Veena , are among the distinguished artistes set to perform at the much-awaited edition of the festival. The lineup also includes renowned Hindustani vocalists Ashwini Bhide Deshpande and Pt. Ulhas Kashalkar .

According to the programme schedule, Day One (January 9) will feature performances by Pt. Vishwa Mohan Bhatt and Pt. Salil Bhatt, showcasing the Mohan Veena and Satvik Veena, followed by sitar recital by Shujaat Khan, and a vocal performance by Ashwini Bhide Deshpande.

Day Two (January 10) will bring together sarod exponent Amaan Ali Bangash, the eldest son and disciple of maestro Amjad Ali Khan, Pt. Ulhas Kashalkar, and legendary flautist Pt. Hariprasad Chaurasia, presenting an evening rooted in the rich traditions of Hindustani classical music.

The concluding evening, Day Three (January 11), will feature Kathak legend Uma Sharma, performing alongside her disciples, followed by santoor recital by Pt. Rahul Shivkumar Sharma, and a vocal performance by Begum Parween Sultana, marking a grand finale to the festival.

Organised by the Shri Ram Centre for Performing Arts under the guidance of Padma Bhushan awardee Uma Sharma and Vinay Bharat Ram , the Mahotsav is conceived as a tribute to Pt. Swami Haridas , the legendary singer and saint, a contemporary of Mughal emperor Akbar, and the revered guru whose most illustrious disciple was Tansen, one of the greatest figures in Indian musical history. Over the past 25 years, the festival has evolved into a major platform for sustaining India’s classical music and dance traditions.

Speaking about the festival’s cultural significance, Uma Sharma said that at a time when younger audiences increasingly gravitate toward Western and popular music, it is imperative to preserve and promote India’s classical heritage. The Mahotsav, she noted, aims to inspire the next generation while upholding the guru-shishya parampara through its intimate mehfil andaaz .

Entry to the festival is by invite or free registration , with seating available on a first-come, first-served basis. Registration details are available on the official festival website.

As the curtains fall on January 11, the Swami Haridas Tansen Sangeet Nritya Mahotsav is expected to once again reaffirm its place as a vital cultural gathering bridging generations, honouring lineage, and celebrating the enduring spirit of Indian classical music and dance.