The 150th Shree Baba Harivallabh Sangeet Sammelan Held in Jalandhar
In Punjab, the 150th Shree Baba Harivallabh Sangeet Sammelan, the oldest Hindustani classical music festival in the country, was held at Shree Devi Talab Temple, Jalandhar. The festival was organised in collaboration with the North Zone Cultural Centre (NZCC), Patiala of the Union Ministry of Culture, Govt. of India and supported by the state government.
The 3-day festival was dedicated to the 350th martyrdom anniversary of Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji and acclaimed Banaras Gharana vocalist Pt Chhannu Lal Mishra, who passed away in October this year.
Renowned classical music artists like folk vocalist icon Vidushi Malini Awasthi, Pt Sajan Mishara, his son Swaransh Mishra, Pt Ronu Majumdar, Shashank Subramanyam, Ashwini Bhide, Pt Sanjeev Abhyankar, Pt Shubhendra Rao, Saskia Rao-de-Haas, Ustad Faiyaz Wasifuddin Dagar, Pt Vijay Ghate, V Selvaganesh, Naveen Sharma and Shikharnaad Qureshi, among others, performed from 26 to 28 December.
Dec 27, 2025
Hundred Colours, One Instrument: Sarangi Takes Centre Stage
The Triveni Kala Sangam amphitheatre resonated with the strains of sarangi, as the Saurang Sangeet Society organised the first World Sarangi Day, honouring legendary sarangi maestro Sabri Khan. Blending music with history, Kamal Sabri paid tribute to his father by rendering Vande Mataram, recalling Sabri Khan's performance of the same on the midnight of August 15, 1947, when India attained Independence.
Dec 26, 2025
Largest Circular Stone Labyrinth Discovered in Maharashtra
Archaeologists have identified what may be India’s largest circular stone labyrinth in the Boramani grasslands of Solapur, Maharashtra. The roughly 50 by 50 feet structure comprises 15 concentric rings of small stone blocks, converging to a tightly coiled central spiral. Dated to nearly 2,000 years ago, the site is linked to Indo-Roman trade during the Satavahana dynasty period. Soil accumulation between rings suggests the labyrinth has remained largely undisturbed for centuries, offering valuable insights into ancient landscape design, ceremonial practices, and cross-cultural exchange along ancient trade routes.
Largest circular stone labyrinth found in Boramani, Solapur, Maharashtra
Structure ~50 by 50 feet with 15 concentric rings
Date: ~2,000 years old; linked to Satavahana-era Indo-Roman trade
Central spiral pattern indicative of planned ceremonial space
Site largely undisturbed; potential for archaeological study
Dec 24, 2025
Qatar Museums and NMACC sign five-year museum education pact
Qatar Museums and the Nita Mukesh Ambani Cultural Centre (NMACC) signed a five-year strategic partnership to expand museum-based education initiatives in India and Qatar. The pact focuses on playful, creative learning for children and educators, strengthening tools for teachers and diversifying learning environments. Signatories included Sheikha Al Mayassa bint Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani and Isha Ambani, with the collaboration to be implemented across multiple Indian regions through the NMACC platform. The agreement reflects a broader trend of cross-cultural cultural education and museum-based innovation across continents.
Five-year museum education partnership signed.
Between Qatar Museums and NMACC (India).
Aims: playful, creative learning for children and teachers.
Implementation across multiple Indian regions via NMACC.
Strengthens cross-cultural museum education initiatives.
Dec 23, 2025
Indian Institute of Technology Kanpur, Hosts 5-day Cultural Gathering
The Indian Institute of Technology Kanpur is hosting the Inter-IIT Cultural Meet 8.0 (IICM 8.0) from December 23 to 27, 2025, bringing together students from across the Indian Institutes of Technology for one of the country's largest inter-institute cultural gatherings.
The five-day cultural conclave will witness participation from 23 IITs nationwide, fostering a vibrant platform for cultural exchange, creative collaboration, and artistic excellence. Recognised as the premier cultural event of the IIT fraternity, IICM celebrates creativity alongside academic brilliance, strengthening inter-IIT bonds through shared artistic experiences.
The eighth edition of the meet features 13 Cultural Cups, encompassing over 50 competitive events across a wide range of disciplines, including music, dance, theatre, literary arts, fine arts, fashion, filmmaking, digital arts, comedy, speaking arts, quizzes, and culinary arts. All events will be evaluated by renowned professionals and experts from their respective cultural domains, ensuring high standards of performance and fair assessment.
IICM 8.0 aims to showcase India's rich cultural diversity by bringing together classical, folk, and contemporary art forms from across the country.