The fourth edition of unique Mahindra Kabira Festival is on its way back to historic, fascinating Varanasi to celebrate the life, works and philosophy of 15th-century mystic-poet Kabir, who is believed to have been born there.
Presenting a rich two-day programme of music, literature, discourse, curated walks, boat rides on the Ganga, and an array of local cuisine – the Mahindra Kabira Festival will run from November 22 to 24, 2019 – offering an immersive experience inspired by Kabir's teachings.
Music sessions by leading artistes on the rugged ghats of Varanasi, walks down mysterious city alleys, talks and discourses, dreamy boat rides on a timeless river, and food that is linked with Varanasi's ancient culinary traditions, are all on the anvil.
The Festival's 2019 line-up includes young and passionate performers like Neeraj Arya's Kabir Café, Neeraj Mishra and Ujwal Nagar, along with veterans like Om Prakash Nayak, Mooralala Marwada, Shabnam Virmani and noted sarangi player Ustad Kamal Sabri, among others, at the famous Shivala and Guleria Ghats.
In its previous three editions, the Mahindra Kabira Festival has hosted acclaimed and popular vocalists like Kailash Kher, Shubha Mudgal, Malini Awasthi, Pandit Ajoy Chakraborty, Vidya Shah, Vidya Rao and Prahlad Tipaniya, to name a few.
Celebrated Meghwal singer Mooralala Marwada's distinct voice and folk music will swirl together with Kabir Café's livewire rock fusion to form a heady mix.
Three-time Grammy nominee Pandit Ajay Shankar Prasanna will also present a collaborative 'Flute Symphony' with eminent artistes experimenting with the sounds of the wind.
The festival will also collaborate with Unity Earth – an international organisation, which is on a mission to accelerate the realisation of unity and peace on earth.
World class musicians associated with the organisation will perform exclusive jam sessions at the Festival. The Kabir Math will partner with the Festival to bring to the forefront more of the mystic poet's teachings.
Acclaimed author Purushottam Agrawal will enlighten the audience on Kabir's work and philosophy over a literary discourse. There will be a specially-curated storytelling performance by actor and co-founder of Jashn-E-Qalam, KC Shankar.
The festival will also offer an experience of being on the enigmatic mystic's trail through 'Heritage Walks', curated and conducted by Navneet Raman and Ajay Pandey from the Benares Cultural Foundation. Local artists from Kala Prakash – sitar player Neeraj Mishra and flutist Rakesh Kumar will give cultural performances.
While attendance to certain events like morning and evening music across the two days is free and open to all, the festival has in store customised 'Delegate Packages', which offer a curated experience. These meticulously planned one and two-day packages are an opportunity to live out the history of one of the world's oldest cities and its powerful character while coming close to understanding Kabir's essentially syncretic path of life. Delegates also have an option to choose from a range of designated festival hotels to stay at during their visit.