This November, the 24th edition of Kalaa Utsavam – Indian Festival of Arts returns to Esplanade – Theatres on the Bay, inviting audiences from Singapore and beyond to immerse in 10 days of Indian classical, contemporary, and cross-cultural arts.
Running from Nov 21 to 30, the annual festival continues to be a vibrant platform where tradition meets innovation, and communities come together in shared celebration.
Rooted in Esplanade’s mission to honour artistic excellence while nurturing the next generation, this year’s edition champions bold collaborations, compelling storytelling, and musical diversity – reflecting the evolving spirit of Indian arts in a multicultural Singapore.
The festival opens with Samudra – An Ocean of Musical Traditions by SwaRhythm Singapore (Nov 21, Esplanade Concert Hall), a premiere commemorating Singapore’s 60th year of independence.
Conducted by Dedric Wong, an accomplished conductor with a passion for traditional Chinese music, the multi-ethnic ensemble blends Indian, Chinese, Malay, and Western influences, symbolising water’s fluidity and music’s power to transcend borders.
Expect an immersive sonic journey enriched by live sand art and multicultural instrumentation.
On Nov 22, legendary Indian poet and lyricist Javed Akhtar brings his spellbinding evening Main Koi Aisa Geet Gaoon, where timeless Bollywood classics from Tezaab to Kal Ho Naa Ho come alive with stories behind the songs, performed by Indian actor and television host Meiyang Chang and versatile singer Jahnvi Shrimankar.
Part concert, part storytelling session, it offers rare insights into Javed’s creative world.
A genre-defying spectacle awaits on Nov 29 with Cosmic Dissolution, where Singapore’s iconic Vedic metal band RUDRA collaborates with Resound Collective’s 56-piece orchestra.
Expect Sanskrit chants, searing guitar riffs, and symphonic crescendos in an unprecedented fusion of metal and orchestral music – a testament to the festival’s fearless experimentation.
The finale night (Nov 30) welcomes India’s beloved comedian Zakir Khan with his new show Papa Yaar – a heartfelt, humorous exploration of the father-son bond, brimming with Zakir’s signature wit and poetic storytelling.
This year, Esplanade continues to support new local productions. AGAM Theatre Lab’s Mission Malligapoo (Nov 21–22, Singtel Waterfront Theatre) blends slapstick, satire, and soul in a darkly comic tale set during Singapore’s World War II occupation, celebrating unsung heroes with humour and heart.
Poet Pooja Nansi returns with We Make Spaces Divine ft. Dey, a lyrical exploration of love and belonging, while SIFAS Productions reimagines the myth of Shikhandi through a breathtaking blend of kathak and bharatanatyam.
Families can enjoy Circle of Life by Ranga Shankara’s AHA! Theatre for Children, designed for audiences as young as five – which introduces the beauty of Indian storytelling through playful theatre.
From Canada, Sampradaya Dance Creations presents Kintsugi, a visually arresting dance work inspired by the Japanese art of repairing broken pottery with gold, symbolising resilience and transformation through Indian classical dance.
Singapore’s Project RA, known for Latin jazz fusion, joins forces with Carnatic vocalist Varijashree Venugopal in a performance weaving intricate South Indian ragas with soulful jazz improvisation – a cross-genre conversation pulsing with rhythmic vitality.
Expanding its global lens, the festival features Soumik Datta’s Mone Rekho, a poignant music-driven reflection on memory and Alzheimer’s, blending Indian strings with contemporary soundscapes.
Malaysia’s hip-hop powerhouse Rabbit Mac and friends deliver a high-energy showcase, while free performances across Esplanade’s public spaces ensure everyone can share in the celebration.
Throughout the 10 days, Esplanade’s open spaces will be alive with music, dance, and storytelling, offering over 70 per cent of the festival’s events free of charge.
These inclusive programmes reflect the festival’s ethos: making the arts accessible to all and fostering community connections across generations.
Kalaa Utsavam has, over 24 editions, become Singapore’s foremost platform for Indian arts — nurturing local talent, showcasing global icons, and building bridges across cultures.
Guided by Esplanade’s vision to balance artistic excellence with accessibility, it also supports youth engagement and new creative commissions.
“Kalaa Utsavam is more than a festival; it’s a living dialogue between heritage and innovation,” said an Esplanade spokesperson. “Each year, we invite audiences to rediscover the evolving spirit of Indian arts through music, dance, theatre, and stories that resonate across cultures.”
