- Renowned talents from across the country and the state—including Kavita Krishnamurthy, Anuj Sharma, Bharti Bandhu, and Indian Idol fame artists—will showcase the vibrant hues of culture.
- Raigarh will come alive with classical dance, Pandwani, folk music, Kabir bhajans, ghazals, and instrumental performances.
The 41st International Chakradhar Festival-2026, dedicated to the artistic devotion and rich cultural heritage of Maharaja Chakradhar Singh, will present a diverse array of art and culture. In this ten-day cultural extravaganza, scheduled from September 14 to 23 at Raigarh’s Ramlila Maidan, artists ranging from local talent to renowned national figures will weave their artistic magic. The cultural evenings, commencing daily at 6 PM, will bring the rich traditions of Indian art and culture to life through classical dance, Chhattisgarhi folk art, Pandwani, folk music, Kabir bhajans, ghazals, and instrumental performances.
Organized by the District Administration with the support of the Culture Department, the Chhattisgarh Tourism Board, and public participation, this prestigious festival will feature performances by Padma Shri awardees as well as Indian Idol stars, all set to mesmerize the audience. A unique feature of the festival is that each evening will showcase a distinct genre and facet of art. For ten days, Raigarh’s Ramlila Maidan will witness a unique confluence of melody, rhythm, dance, and folk traditions.
- Inauguration with Ganesh Vandana; First Evening to Shine with Pandwani and Folk Music
The festival will commence on September 14 with a Ganesh Vandana performance by the disciples of Shri Vedmani Singh Thakur. Following this, Padma Shri awardee Shri Anuj Sharma will present folk art and music. Meanwhile, Padma Shri awardee Dr. Usha Barle will make the inaugural cultural evening memorable with her Pandwani performance. The festival will thus kick off with a powerful display of folk melodies, folk ballads, and the tradition of Pandwani. A Confluence of Tabla, Kuchipudi, and Rajasthani Folk Art on September 15
The evening of September 15 will feature a tabla recital by Nishit Gangani, a Kuchipudi performance by T. Lakshmi Reddy, a Rajasthani folk performance by the Stark Society (Barmer), and a Pandavani performance by Taruna Sahu and her troupe. Additionally, a bhajan recital by the Madhavras Band will infuse the cultural evening with a spirit of devotion.
- A Showcase of Kathak and Chhattisgarhi Folk Dance on September 16
On September 16, the diversity of Chhattisgarh’s folk culture and classical dance will be showcased on stage. Maumala Nayak will present a Kathak performance, while Bhupendra Sahu and his troupe will perform Chhattisgarhi folk dance. Dr. Yasmin Singh and her group, along with Ms. Vibhuti Sharma, will present Kathak performances, and Payal Sahu and her troupe will showcase the vibrant colors of folk art.
- A Confluence of Bharatanatyam, Odissi, and Kathak on September 17
The evening of September 17 will witness a confluence of various classical dance forms alongside folk art and music. The Badal-Bastar Academy of Dance, Arts, and Literature will present folk art and music performances. Madhumita Roy Mishra will perform Kathak, and Janhavi Behera will present Odissi dance. Shivranjani Harish and the Kalarpana Dance Group—disciples of Padma Bhushan Shobana—will present Bharatanatyam. A Kathak performance by the Shiv Shakti Kala Sansthan will also be featured.
- A Melodious Evening of Manipuri, Kuchipudi, and Kabir Bhajans on September 18
On September 18, Dr. Manju Elangbam will present Manipuri dance. Padma Shri awardee Shri Bharti Bandhu will create a spiritual atmosphere with Kabir bhajans. Shweta Nayak and her troupe will perform Kuchipudi, and Shri Anurag Sharma will present folk music.
- Poetry and Odissi to Grace the Evening of September 19
September 19 will be a special day for lovers of art and literature. Gauri Shankar Dash and Reela Hota will present Odissi dance performances. Meanwhile, Padma Shri awardee Shri Surendra Sharma and other artists will infuse the evening with humor and literature through a poetry session. This confluence of dance and poetry will make the evening truly special.
- September 20: A Unique Blend of Gotipua, Vocal Music, and Kathak
On September 20, Shri B. Sahu and his troupe will present the Gotipua dance. ‘Indian Idol’ fame Amit Sana will entertain music lovers with his vocal performance. Additionally, Bhupendra Bareth and his troupe will perform Kathak under the direction of Padma Shri awardee Ramlal Bareth. This blend of folk dance, popular vocal music, and classical dance will be a major attraction for the audience.
- September 21: Kathak, Instrumental Music (Santoor, Pakhawaj, Tabla), and Dance-Drama
The evening of September 21 will feature a diverse array of performances, ranging from the Banaras Gharana style of Kathak to instrumental music. Shri Rudrashankar Sinha will present Kathak in the Banaras Gharana style. Shri Sonu Gupta and his troupe will perform folk songs, while Vasanti Vaishnav and her troupe will present Kathak. A ‘Triveni Sangam’ (confluence) of Santoor, Pakhawaj, and Tabla recitals will take place. Sanskar Kala Sangh will present a dance-drama, and Nrityanjali will perform Kathak in the Banaras Gharana style.
- September 22: Kathakali, Odissi, Sitar, and Sufi Styles
The evening of September 22 will be dedicated to classical dance, instrumental music, and Sufi-style performances. Guru Kottakkal Nandakumaran Nair will present Kathakali, Ms. Diksha Rath will perform Odissi dance, and Prof. Dr. Lovely Sharma will present a Sitar recital. Shri Pundarik Sahu (Lahrangga) will present folk music, while Rakesh Sharma from Raigarh will make the evening melodious with Sufi singing and Ghazals.
- Grand Finale with the Melodious Voices of Kavita Krishnamurthy and Jaan Kumar Sanu
The ten-day festival will conclude with a grand finale on September 23. On the final evening, the renowned Padma Shri awardee singer Kavita Krishnamurthy will deliver a melodious performance. She will be joined by Jaan Kumar Sanu, who will also perform.Adorned with the melodies of talented artists, this evening will ensure that memories of the 41st Chakradhar Samaroh remain cherished in the hearts of the audience for a long time.
- Raigarh to Become a Hub of Art and Culture
The 41st Chakradhar Samaroh is not merely an event for cultural performances; it serves as a significant platform to celebrate Maharaja Chakradhar Singh’s artistic devotion and dedication to music and dance, while also promoting Chhattisgarh’s rich cultural traditions. A unique achievement of the festival is the opportunity it provides for local artists to perform on the same stage alongside artists of national and international repute.
Scheduled to take place in Raigarh from September 14 to 23, this cultural event will create a festive atmosphere for art lovers over the course of ten days. From diverse forms of classical dance to Chhattisgarhi folk melodies, Pandvani, Bhajans, Ghazals, and popular vocal performances, the Chakradhar Samaroh will showcase a vibrant tapestry of Indian culture’s diversity and richness, effectively transforming Raigarh into a capital of art and culture for these ten days.