World Yoga and Music Day: Madhya Pradesh to resonate with harmonious blend of melody, rhythm, and art; see details of grand events to be held at 14 locations
The Department of Culture, Government of Madhya Pradesh, is organizing a unique festival of art and culture across the state on the auspicious occasion of 'World Yoga and Music Day' on June 21, 2026. On this special day, a series of grand cultural events centered around music, dance, painting, and sculpture will be held at 14 locations across the state.
Renowned and celebrated artists from Madhya Pradesh and across the country will showcase their talents, offering an extraordinary and unforgettable experience for art lovers.
N.P. Namdev, Director of the Department of Culture, stated that Indian classical music is an integral part of our ancient and rich cultural heritage. It is not merely a combination of notes and ragas, but a spiritual practice that connects the soul with the Divine and serves as a medium for profound mental peace. He remarked that celebrating this long-standing tradition is a matter of pride, and the primary objective is to make the new generation aware of—and proud of—their roots, culture, and artistic heritage.
Music and dance program at the Tribal Museum
As part of this initiative, a music and dance program is being organized at Bhopal's Tribal Museum on June 21. This melodious evening will commence with a classical vocal recital by Ms. Pradakshina Bhatt (Bhopal), followed by an evocative Bharatanatyam performance by the renowned dancer Ms. Smita Mahajan from Pune. The prestigious event will begin at 7:00 PM, and admission is completely free for the general public and art enthusiasts.
Music colleges will host musical gatherings
Simultaneously, various government music colleges across the state will host musical gatherings featuring melody and rhythm. At the Government Music College in Narsinghgarh, Mr. Akash Guntivar will present a classical vocal recital, followed by a Bharatanatyam performance by Ms. Mohika Saxena.
In Ujjain, a classical vocal recital by Mr. Yash Devle will be followed by a Kathak dance performance by the celebrated dancer Ms. Suchitra Harmalkar, which promises to mesmerize the audience.
Performances featuring vocal music by Ms. Shweta Gunjan Joshi and Kathak dance by Ms. Sannali Sharma will be held in Gwalior; in Khandwa, there will be vocal performances by Shri Supriyo Maitro and Shri Akash Tiwari, alongside a Kathak dance presentation by Ms. Priyamvada Singh.
Mandsaur will host a vocal recital by Dr. Neelima Chhapekar, accompanied by a jugalbandi (duet) performance on the sarangi by Shri Munne Khan and Abid Hussain.
Meanwhile, captivating performances are scheduled in Maihar—featuring vocal music by Shri Vijay Sapre and Kathak by Ms. Shalini Khare—and in Indore, with vocal music by Shri Damodar Rao and a Kathak dance presentation by Ms. Bhargavi Sharma and her troupe.
Special lectures and demonstrations will be organized
Alongside music, special lectures and demonstrations are being organized in the state's government fine arts colleges to promote the visual arts.
Shri Basant Bhargava in Gwalior and Ms. Nidhi Chopra in Dhar will share the nuances of painting. In Indore, the renowned artist from Gujarat, Shri Jayanti Rabadiya, will share his experiences regarding painting.
Furthermore, to promote sculpture and the plastic arts, Shri Madanlal from Varanasi will deliver a lecture and live demonstration on sculpture in Jabalpur, while Ms. Girija Vayangankar will do the same in Khandwa. This initiative by the Department of Culture will undoubtedly infuse new energy into the artistic consciousness of the state.