Following the successful inaugural edition in 2024, Aalekh Foundation presents the second edition of its flagship cultural festival, Anant Samagam, to be held from 30th January to 1st February 2026 at Travancore Palace, New Delhi.The preview will be held on the 30th January 2026 and it’s open for all on 31st January & 01st February 2026.
Anant Samagam – Edition 2 is envisioned as an East–West cultural confluence, bringing together the rich and diverse traditions of Rajasthan, West Bengal, and Assam. Building on the success of Edition 1 (Kerala × North East), this edition deepens the curatorial scope to explore historical, artistic, and philosophical connections between India’s desert, delta, and riverine cultures.
Designed as an immersive, multidisciplinary experience, the festival brings together music, visual arts, handloom and craft, fashion, food, and critical dialogue, positioning heritage as a living, evolving practice rather than static preservation.
Dates: January 31st & February 01st 2026
Timing: 11:00 am to 10:00 pm
Venue: Travancore Palace, Shrimant Madhav Rao Scindia Marg, Copernicus Marg, New Delhi 110001
Music & Performances
The three-day festival will feature evening concerts by:
- Kutle Khan, renowned Manganiyar folk singer from Rajasthan
- Fakira Band, celebrated for their contemporary interpretation of Bengali folk traditions
Together, these performances create a sonic dialogue between East and West—rooted in folk traditions while resonating with contemporary audiences.
Art Exhibition
The visual art exhibition is presented in partnership with Sameksha Art Gallery and curated by Yamini Telkar. The exhibition brings together contemporary artists whose practices engage with memory, material culture, region, and identity, creating a nuanced dialogue between traditional reference points and contemporary expression.
Panel Discussions & Cultural Dialogues
Anant Samagam – Edition 2 will also host a series of curated panel discussions and conversations featuring experts, practitioners, and thinkers from the fields of literature, media and visual arts, cinema, craft traditions, and cultural studies.
These sessions aim to foster meaningful dialogue around themes such as cultural continuity, regional aesthetics, storytelling traditions, contemporary interpretations of heritage, and the role of culture in shaping modern India. The discussions are designed to engage both practitioners and audiences, positioning Anant Samagam as a space for reflection as much as celebration.
Fashion, Craft & Culinary Experiences
The festival includes:
- Handloom and craft showcase highlighting Bandhani, Jamdani, and Muga silk
- A curated fashion showcase translating indigenous textiles into contemporary design narratives
- Regional food counters and curated culinary trails celebrating the flavours of Rajasthan, West Bengal, and Assam
This edition will feature a distinguished lineup of designers whose work strongly reflects regional heritage and contemporary aesthetics:
- Pallavi Jaipur (Rajasthan)
- Jahnabi Phookan (Assam)
- Sonam Dubal (Fusion of Assam & Rajasthan)
- Bappaditya Biswas (West Bengal)
Artisans, designers, chefs, and cultural practitioners remain central to the festival’s ethos, reinforcing its commitment to sustainability, livelihood creation, and cultural preservation.
“Anant Samagam was conceived as a platform where India’s cultures engage in meaningful conversation rather than exist in isolation. After the quiet, introspective dialogue between Kerala and the North East in our first edition, Edition 2 brings together Rajasthan, Bengal, and Assam—regions deeply connected through trade, textiles, music, and spiritual thought. Alongside performances and exhibitions, the inclusion of panel discussions allows us to reflect, question, and contextualise culture in today’s world.” — Dr. Rennie Joyy, Founder, Aalekh Foundation
At Aalekh, our focus is on identifying and supporting emerging artists who are already grounded in serious practice and ready to step into larger cultural conversations. Through Anant Samagam, we are creating a platform where this next generation of artists engages with institutions, galleries, and audiences in a meaningful way. As Art Director and a participating artist, my role has been to shape this bridge—between intent and execution, tradition and contemporary expression, and emerging talent and the wider art ecosystem.” — Divyaman Singh, Art Director, Aalekh Foundation
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