The Sacred River Festival

A festival of the Indian classical artforms on the banks of the sacred river Narmada

Ahilya Fort Heritage Hotel, Maheshwar

4th Feb – 7th Feb

2027

RESERVE YOUR SEAT

The Sacred River Festival

A festival of the Indian classical artforms on
the banks of the sacred river Narmada

Ahilya Fort Heritage Hotel, Maheshwar

4th Feb – 7th Feb

2027

RESERVE YOUR SEAT

Parampara

Transmission Through Transition

Sacred River Festival 2027

This February, Ahilya Fort presents the 24^th annual Sacred River Festival, exploring parampara — the tradition of passing knowledge from one generation to the next.

In India, as in other ancient civilisations, the teacher has always held a place of great respect. From custodians of esoteric knowledge to skilled artisans, those who share their learning and help others grow have long been held in high esteem.

This year’s festival explores the transmission of knowledge through the arts, with a particular focus on the guru–disciple tradition. A guru does more than teach the skills required to become a performer. They pass on the history, culture, nuances and values of an art form, shaping not just accomplished performers but thoughtful practitioners.

Through six performances of music and dance, SRF 2027 brings together accomplished maestros and their disciples in presentations that celebrate this living tradition. The morning lecture-demonstrations offer an opportunity to hear from both teachers and students about their journeys together, and what it means to learn, practise and perform within a parampara.

Parampara

Transmission Through Transition

Sacred River Festival 2027

This February, Ahilya Fort presents the 24^th annual Sacred River Festival, exploring parampara — the tradition of passing knowledge from one generation to the next.

Parampara

Transmission Through Transition

Sacred River Festival 2027

This February, Ahilya Fort presents the 24^th annual Sacred River Festival, exploring parampara — the tradition of passing knowledge from one generation to the next.

Words from Our Director

Prince Richard Shivajirao Holkar

Over the last 22 years, The Sacred River Festival has presented a broad range of artists from all over India. This year we have chosen younger artistes from the State of Madhya Pradesh, wishing to give them the opportunity to share their art with our guests at Ahilya Fort and the citizens of Maheshwar.

Words from Our Director

Prince Richard Shivajirao Holkar

Words From Our Director

Prince Richard Shivajirao Holkar

Lost and Found

The ebb and flow of tradition

While most of the Indian performing arts claim a heritage of several centuries if not more, none can be said to have followed an unchanging pattern. As generations of performers make the art their own, change and evolution are natural. In addition to the contribution of the practitioners themselves, however, the arts are also affected by historical events such as wars, migrations, colonisation, and changing social mores. This year at SRF ’25, we have selected artists representing forms that experienced significant vicissitudes during the 20th century and eventually found a fresh place in India and the world. Today as these artists perform, they form a link between the old and the contemporary. Some have inherited family traditions and are born to the art, while others have trained systematically in an area their elders would never have considered entering. During the lecture-demonstrations held every morning of the festival, the artists will touch on the history of their respective professions, along with their personal journeys shaping their practice.

Lost and Found

The ebb and flow of tradition

In addition to the contribution of the practitioners themselves, however, the arts are also affected by historical events such as wars, migrations, colonisation, and changing social mores. This year at SRF ’25, we have selected artists representing forms that experienced significant vicissitudes during the 20th century and eventually found a fresh place in India and the world. Today as these artists perform, they form a link between the old and the contemporary. Some have inherited family traditions and are born to the art, while others have trained systematically in an area their elders would never have considered entering. During the lecture-demonstrations held every morning of the festival, the artists will touch on the history of their respective professions, along with their personal journeys shaping their practice.