The eagerly anticipated third edition of Dastaan-e-Kathak: The Story of a Storyteller will take place at the ancient Travancore Palace in New Delhi on February 4, 2025. The festival’s subject this year is The Dance of quiet, which explores the relationship between music, quiet, and language via the prism of Indian classical arts. It promises to be a life-changing event.
Dastaan-e-Kathak, which was established as a celebration in honor of the great Pt. Birju Maharaj, carries on his legacy by showcasing Kathak and other ancient art forms in fresh ways that captivate modern audiences. The festival was originally introduced in 2023 and has since expanded to become one of the more well-known cultural gatherings, renowned for fusing classic storytelling with fresh interpretations.
The magnificent and ancient Travancore Palace will host this year’s event. The event’s varied acts are well-suited to its regal appeal and architectural magnificence, which creates an atmosphere that skillfully combines tradition and creativity.
In 2025, Dastaan-e-Kathak will undoubtedly change the way that people see Indian traditional arts. The Dance of Silence will be this year’s subject; in this context, silence is a highly expressive medium rather than a lack of sound. This event will include an amazing array of performers, including the following:
- Sound Meditation Practices: It is an immersion session highlighting the therapeutic and spiritual dimensions of silence.
- Maestros and Emerging Talent: A select list of artists who will perform original works inspired by the theme of the festival, blending classical techniques with contemporary perspectives.
- The Evolution of Indian Dance Costumes: A visually striking presentation tracing the evolution of dance costumes, celebrating the confluence of aesthetics, functionality, and storytelling in classical dance forms.
The festival hopes to inspire the audience to experience the great beauty of silence as an artistic and philosophical notion by involving them in a conversation that goes beyond words through these varied offers.
Dastaan-e-Kathak has been a symbol of cultural brilliance since its founding. Legendary performers including Pt. Hariprasad Chaurasia, Pt. Sajan Mishra, and director Muzaffar Ali performed live during the first 2023 edition. More than 1,000 people attended, including UNESCO members, cultural ambassadors, and art lovers, in three notable locations: Sundar Nursery, Lodi Art District, and The Claridges Hotel.
The festival made history in 2024 by launching a fully digital version, a first-of-its-kind effort that made use of YouTube and Instagram. Thirteen artists gave 90-second conceptual performances in the digital format, drawing a wide range of international attendees and enhancing the festival’s standing as an innovative and inclusive event.
curated by Shivani Varma, a well-known Kathak dancer and follower of Guru Shovana Narayan and Pt. Birju Maharaj. Dastaan-e-Kathak demonstrates a strong dedication to preserving and advancing India’s cultural legacy. Ms. Varma is an artist with the Indian Council for Cultural Relations and a member of the Sahitya Kala Parishad, the Delhi government’s cultural arm. Her illustrious career has included appearances at events like the Lucknow Literature Festival and partnerships with notable figures like AR Rahman.
Beyond merely hosting concerts, Ms. Varma hopes to provide a platform that unites ancient and modern art forms and encourages future generations to discover the depth of Indian classical arts. “Dastaan-e-Kathak is not just a festival—it’s a movement that celebrates the storyteller within everyone and everything, revealing the narratives that shape our lives and connect us to the world around us,” she explains.
Numerous prominent institutions, such as the Ministry of Culture, UNESCO India, Aditya Birla Group, The Claridges Hotel, Good Earth Foundation, and others, have supported the event. All of these partnerships have been essential to the festival’s success, expanding its audience and providing a forum for fruitful cross-cultural interaction.
By encouraging art lovers, cultural vultures, and the general public to take part in an unusual celebration that deviates from the norm, the 2025 edition hopes to carry on this tradition. With its carefully chosen program, Dastaan-e-Kathak aims to spark conversations on the eternal value and transformative potential of classical arts in contemporary society.
“Every time I dance, it is a tribute to my Gurus,” Shivani Varma stated. I want to share what I learned from him about his philosophy of life as well as dancing. I’m very moved by his life and, regrettably, his loss. I want to do something in his honor that is significant and has an effect on the culture he supported and freely shared with the world. I established the Kathak Day Trust in an effort to uphold these teachings and further the cause of the Indian cultural heritage he championed.
