Hyderabad prepares to host a lively artistic and academic and spiritual festival which will take place between January 30 and February 1 at the CCRT Campus in Madhapur for Ramayana Kalpavrksam 2026 (Edition IV). The festival which Padma Shri awardee Dr Ananda Shankar Jayant created and developed as a Bharatanatyam dance expert continues to develop into one of the most exceptional cultural festivals which the city has to offer.

The Ramayana Kalpavrksam festival presented by Shankarananda Kalakshetra and Natyarambha develops a special performance experience which includes pravachanams and scholarly discussions and traditional art forms which all originate from the eternal wisdom of the Ramayana.

Dr Ananda Shankar Jayant explained the festival’s vision because he wanted to create connections between different cultural groups. “Art, scholarship and cultural thinking often exist in isolation. I created this space for dancers and musicians and scholars and audiences to experience complete cultural immersion.

She established The Ramayana as the festival’s essential foundation. The Ramayana is my life because Rama has always been with me. The Ramayana exists as an epic which operates as a fundamental aspect that continues to mold our shared societal awareness. Kalpavrksam symbolises the eternally giving tree — much like the Ramayana itself.”

This year’s edition promises a compelling line-up. The mornings will feature pravachanams by Brahmasri Chaganti Koteswara Rao garu, focusing on Sita Rama Kalyanam and Hanumath Darshanam. The mornings will begin with Brahmasri Chaganti Koteswara Rao garu delivering pravachanams about Sita Rama Kalyanam and Hanumath Darshanam. The Kala Charan sessions will host thought-provoking dialogues on decolonisation, examining its impact on history, technology, parenting and cultural identity.

The events which take place during Ramarasa evenings will present a diverse selection of artistic works through the performances which include Carnatic vocalist Sandeep Narayan and the Odissi duet which performs “Seeta Haran” and the Ramayana puppetry show from Little Ballet Theatre Bhopal and the Manganiyar folk music performance from Rajasthan and the Carnatic 2.0 grand fusion finale. Prof Shrinivasa Varakhedi who serves as Vice Chancellor of the Central Sanskrit University will give a public lecture at the festival about maryada and dharma in the Ramayana.

Dr Ananda explained that Sri Rama Chetana shows contemporary importance because it exists as a permanent form of knowledge which exists between ancient and modern times. Ramayana Kalpavrksam is about allowing tradition and contemporary thought to converse, coexist and inspire each other.”