Kathak icons Nalini and Kamalini to open Gwalior’s Udbhav Utsav 2025

Gwalior is set to come alive with music and dance as the four-day international festival, Udbhav Utsav, kicks off on Sunday, October 26. The 20th edition of the festival promises to be a grand celebration, featuring around 1,000 artistes from India and abroad, organisers said.

The festival will be inaugurated by renowned Kathak dancers and Padma Shri awardees Nalini and Kamalini, who will perform at the opening ceremony. The festivities will begin at 3 pm with a lively carnival, President of Udbhav Organisation, Dr Keshav Pandey, and Secretary Deepak Tomar said.

The carnival will start at Captain Roop Singh Stadium, with Indian and international troupes performing short acts along the route. It will culminate at Jiwaji University, where the official inauguration will take place at Atal Auditorium. The opening performances will include folk dances by artists from the Republic of Tuva in Siberia, alongside groups from Kerala, Maharashtra, Gujarat, Haryana, Rajasthan, Delhi, Chhattisgarh, Uttar Pradesh, and various cities of Madhya Pradesh.

The second day, October 27, will feature group dance and instrumental band performances at the Indian Institute of Tourism and Travel Management (IITTM). Solo performances are scheduled for October 28, with the evening session at Greenwood Public School, Adityapuram. On the final day, October 29, competitions for solo and band categories will take place in the morning at IITTM.

The festival will conclude with a grand gala night at Dattopant Thengadi Auditorium, Agriculture University, where selected Indian and international troupes will compete in the international championship, judged by a distinguished international jury.

Gwalior Mayor Shobha Sikarwar is among the dignitaries expected to attend the inaugural ceremony, adding further prestige to the event. Organisers say the festival aims to foster cultural exchange while showcasing India’s rich dance and musical heritage to the world.