Hyderabad Jan 26: Ramayana Kalpavrksam, Hyderabad’s premier art and culture festival, conceived and presented by renowned danseuse and Padma Shri awardee Ananda Shankar Jayant, returns with its much-anticipated 4th edition from 30 January to 1 February 2026, at the expansive CCRT Campus, Hyderabad.
Curated by Shankarananda Kalakshetra and Natyarambha, in collaboration with Brhat Creative, and supported by the Ministry of Culture, Government of India, the three-day cultural extravaganza has emerged as an iconic festival on Hyderabad’s cultural calendar.
Speaking about the vision behind the festival, Ananda Shankar Jayant, creator of Ramayana Kalpavrksam, said, “Over the years, Ramayana Kalpavrksam has evolved into a much-awaited cultural confluence in Hyderabad. With its distinctive blend of pan-Indian performing arts by eminent artistes, Pravachanams by revered Gurus, thought-provoking scholarly dialogues, and a vibrant kala grama for artisans, the festival offers something for everyone—while grounding us deeply in Sri Rama Chetana.”
What makes Ramayana Kalpavrksam truly distinctive is its rare and meaningful convergence of knowledge, art, culture, and lived spiritual practice over three immersive days, an experience found in very few festivals in the country, Ananda Shankar Jayant, adds.
The festival’s inaugural edition was graced by Hon’ble Union Finance Minister Smt. Nirmala Sitharaman, setting the tone for what has now grown into a significant cultural movement. Now in its fourth year, Ramayana Kalpavrksam stands as a beacon of cultural revival, rooted in India’s timeless heritage while resonating powerfully with contemporary audiences.
The 2026 edition will feature two evocative Pravachanams, ‘Sita Rama Kalyanam’ and ‘Hanumath Darshanam’ by the much-revered Brahmasri Chaganti Koteswara Rao Garu. Audiences can also look forward to outstanding music, dance, and storytelling performances by acclaimed and award-winning artistes from Chennai, Bhubaneswar, Mumbai, Bengaluru, Bhopal, and Rajasthan.
Adding further depth to the festival are insightful talks by eminent scholars, including university vice-chancellors, professors, writers, authors, orators, and professionals from the technology sector, who reinterpret ancient and timeless wisdom for today’s world. A special highlight of this edition is a puppetry-based Ramayana by Little Ballet Theatre, Bhopal, being showcased in Hyderabad for the very first time. The grand finale will witness a fusion ensemble Carnatic 2.0, Maryādā and Dharma: The Ramayana’s Timeless Message.
Renowned artistes participating in this edition include Carnatic music star Sandeep Narayan, celebrated Odissi danseuses Sujata Mohapatra and Preetisha Mohapatra, Manganiyar Magic by Bungar Khan and group, from Rajasthan, among several other distinguished performers.
With its rich tapestry of performances, discourse, and community engagement, Ramayana Kalpavrksam continues to reaffirm its place as a transformative cultural experience, one that celebrates India’s civilisational ethos through the enduring lens of the Ramayana.