Muditha Arts Festival 2026

This all-female ensemble of traditional Indian instruments by Sthree Thaal Tharang is an offering that celebrates the inseparable bond between Rhythm (Laya) and Melody (Raaga) in Indian classical music idiom. Conceived by India’s first female Ghatam maestro Sukanya Ramgopal, this ensemble involves renditions on multiple ghatams carefully assembled in specific ragams and is at the heart of the presentation. In any classical concert, percussion is an accompaniment to the main music but here it predominates highlighting its own beauty and character. Through varied tonalities and textures of multiple ghatams, Sukanya elevates the instrument beyond its conventional role, allowing it to converse in an interplay of melody and rhythm.

Earth and Strings ensemble unfolds as a rich collaborative dialogue between renowned women artistes playing the violin, flute, mridangam, morsing and Konnakol each contributing their distinctive musical vocabulary. Morsing is a traditional jaw harp using mouth cavity for resonance, while Konnakol is the art of rendering complex percussion rhythms vocally.

Earth and Strings will present original compositions exclusively composed for this instrumental ensemble. The unique feature of this collective effort is that percussions like Ghatam, mridangam and morsing which are usually supportive is here in the lead with violin and flute giving collaborative support. Don’t miss this event by one of India’s leading celebrated all-female ensemble.

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Saint Kabir Das, the 15th century mystic poet, spoke in riddles, sang in metaphors, and pointed unerringly to the Truth within. Not bound by religion or ritual, his messages rose from life’s day to day experience and carried a quiet yet radical clarity, urging everyone to look beyond the world outside and realise the oneness that exists within.

Kabir Vani - Pearls of Wisdom presents a curated selection of Kabir’s choicest dohas (couplets) and Nirguni (Universal) bhajans, each reflecting a core idea from his philosophy - love without fear, devotion without form, wisdom without dogma. These dohas or couplets come alive through musical interpretations that span generations and styles, from the timeless, contemplative interpretations of Pandit Kumar Gandharva to expressions by contemporary and new-age artistes.

Drawing from diverse regional flavours and musical traditions, Seema Ovalekar, an experienced Singapore artiste weaves a rich, seamless fabric of poetry and music echoing Kabir’s vision of Oneness and true meaning of Life. This is not merely a concert to be heard, but an experience to be felt - an invitation to pause, listen deeply, and encounter Kabir as a living presence, relevant now as ever.

A jugalbandi is a performance that features a duet of two solo musicians, and the word literally means “entwined twins”. In this vocal duet, the two young and well-known soloists, Vignesh Ishwar (Carnatic) and Kaustuv Kanti Ganguli (Hindusthani), who are of different traditions act as lead singers in a playful competition that is the hallmark of jugalbandhi. They will be ably accompanied on the violin and mridangam (Carnatic) and Tabla and harmonium (Hindusthani).

In this collaborative performance, the two musicians engage in a dialogue to create a beautiful piece of music. This creates a dynamic interplay that culminates in a harmonious musical experience for the listeners. An evening that delights and informs the learned and the uninitiated alike is a treat not to be missed.

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The Carnatic concert titled Unison- SamaGama is a curated ensemble presenting all- male Carnatic choral featuring five vocalists with violin, viola and Konnakol (art of performing percussive syllables vocally). Designed as a unified Carnatic concert experience, emphasizing ensemble cohesion and musical storytelling, the repertoire will include traditional Carnatic compositions with rehearsed manodharma (spontaneous improvisations). This project specifically curated for the festival explores the intersection of Carnatic classicism and choral expression, reimagining traditionally solo repertoire through a carefully curated ensemble format. By emphasizing rhythmic precision and choral blend, the program offers a concert experience that is both rooted in tradition and thoughtfully contemporary.

This project is, in artistic association with the Singapore Indian Orchestra & Choir (SIOC), a collaborative work between artistes from Singapore and a US-based accomplished musician Dr Sanjay Subramanian.

In Seasons Within, Ms Sudha Raghuraman an acclaimed musician from India explicates the beauty of the seasons based on the famous works of ancient poets while Singapore’s well-known dancer Meera Balasubramanian internalises the varying moods of the seasons within the rich traditions of Bharatanatyam idiom. Inspired by Kalidasa’s lyrical masterpiece Ritu Samhara and the rich poetic legacy of Tamil Sangam literature, particularly the Agam tradition, it is conceived from the perspective of a heroine (Nayika). The work explores how the cycle of seasons mirrors the emotional and spiritual journey of a woman in love. Rather than presenting the seasons as external natural phenomenon, this production interprets them as inner landscapes of longing, hope, endurance, clarity, and fulfilment, each feeling reflected in the seasons. The central idea of the work is encapsulated in the line: “The seasons changed the world - and I watched them change me.”

SEASONS WITHIN is envisioned as a signature large-format work that combines literary depth, musical richness, and choreographic sophistication, offering audiences a deeply immersive and emotionally resonant experience. This programme carries the beauty and gravitas of Bharatanatyam dance. Not to be missed!

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This group discussion will address the topical issue of preserving traditional Indian art in its purity in this modern secular environment. Titled “Opportunities and Challenges of Developing Traditional Indian Art in a Multi-ethnic Society”, this discussion will involve a Panel discussion by several people from arts sector with participation from the floor/audience. It is expected to create a lively exchange of ideas, suggestions and shared experiences of presenting traditional art to a modern and mixed audience. The discussion will see free flow of ideas from teachers, students, art practitioners and art lovers.