Kabira Festival to bring together rare collaborations in fourth edition

Team L&M

To celebrate the life, works and philosophy of 15th-century mystic poet Kabir, who is believed to have been born in Varanasi, the fourth edition of the Mahindra Kabira Festival is on its way back to the historic city. The festival, will presenting a rich two-day programme of music, literature, discourse, curated walks, boat rides on the Ganga and an array of local cuisine between November 22 and 24.
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.
A brainchild of the Mahindra Group and pioneering performing arts and entertainment company, Teamwork Arts, the festival celebrates Kabir and the inherent wisdom of his verses through its varied programme offerings.

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.

This year the Festival brings together unique collaborations of artistes, cultural organisations and Kabir stalwarts. 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.
In its previous three editions, the Mahindra Kabira Festival has hosted acclaimed and popular vocalists like Kailash Kher, Shubha Mudgal, Malini Awasthi, Pt. Ajoy Chakraborty, Vidya Shah, Vidya Rao and Prahlad Tipaniya.

“We are delighted once again to celebrate the profound clear-sightedness of Kabir, the eternal mystic, in his birthplace, with a line-up of celebrated musicians and litterateurs. Like every year, we look forward to an evocative experience at the Mahindra Kabira Festival 2019, which will salute not only Kabir’s universality, but also his acute relevance in today’s chaotic world, where his words hold up the promise of simplicity and peace. Join us this November in Varanasi to discover ‘the Kabir way’,” says Sanjoy Roy, MD, Teamwork Arts.

Photos from last edition of Mahindra Kabira Festival