Mahindra Percussion Festival 2026 Returns To Bengaluru With A Powerhouse Line-up

The Mahindra Percussion Festival is set to return to Bengaluru for its fourth edition, reaffirming its position as one of India’s most distinctive celebrations of rhythm and percussive traditions. Scheduled for March 7 and 8, 2026, the two-day festival will take place at the Prestige Centre for Performing Arts, bringing together legendary maestros, contemporary ensembles and emerging voices from across the country.

Rooted in India’s vast and diverse rhythmic heritage, the Mahindra Percussion Festival has evolved over the years into a cultural movement dedicated to preserving the language of rhythm while keeping it relevant for modern audiences. The festival continues to honour percussion as the backbone of India’s musical traditions, bridging the country’s rich past with evolving contemporary expressions.

The 2026 edition reflects this vision through a carefully curated line-up that spans India’s rhythmic landscape. A key highlight is Nada Pravaham – Circle of Sound, a landmark collaboration featuring Padma Vibhushan awardee and mridangam maestro Umayalpuram K. Sivaraman alongside tabla exponent Ishaan Ghosh and drummer Shravan Samsi. The performance brings together mridangam, tabla and drums, creating a dialogue between classical traditions and the energy of a new generation.

Another standout presentation is Y?TR? by National Award-winning vocalist Mahesh Kale. Conceived as a spiritual journey rooted in Maharashtra’s bhakti culture, the performance places rhythm at the centre, with percussion guiding the experience and Kale’s vocals acting as a catalyst for this artistic pilgrimage.

The festival also foregrounds inclusivity with Women Who Drum, a powerful collective featuring Swarupa Ananth, Charu Hariharan, Nush Lewis, Hamta Baghi and Shalini Mohan. The ensemble brings together instruments such as tabla, mridangam and world percussion to spotlight female voices and create a contemporary collaborative sound.

Further reinforcing its commitment to representation, The Parai Awakens – Unreserved Live by Praveen Sparsh and an ensemble of Parai artists reclaims one of India’s oldest instruments and brings it into the mainstream. Rooted in the idea of ‘parai’ meaning ‘to speak’, the performance amplifies historically marginalised traditions and underlines the festival’s inclusive ethos.

Closing the line-up is Grammy-nominated tabla virtuoso Bickram Ghosh with his percussion-led concert Drums of the East. Conceived to celebrate the spiritually charged rhythmic traditions of Bengal and eastern India, the set features tabla, electronic percussion, body drums and melodic elements, including Abhisek Mallick’s electric sitar. The ensemble includes Gopal Barman on sree-khol, Ranjan De on dhol, and Gokul Dhaaki with his team on dhaak, creating a high-energy, immersive live experience.

Speaking on the festival’s vision, Jay Shah, Vice President and Head of Cultural Outreach at the Mahindra Group, said, “Percussion has been an integral part of India’s musical culture since ancient times. Through the Mahindra Percussion Festival, we bring together artists who may carry different identities, but collectively represent the singular spirit of India’s evolving music tradition. Our aim is to bridge the past and present while shaping the future of Indian music.”

VG Jairam, Founder of Hyperlink Brand Solutions, added, “The Mahindra Percussion Festival is a pan-India celebration of our percussive heritage. Our endeavour has been to ensure this legacy resonates with new-age audiences, allowing diverse cultures to come together and strengthen the interconnectedness of India’s musical fabric.”

With its fourth edition, the Mahindra Percussion Festival continues Mahindra Group’s commitment to preserving rhythmic traditions, elevating voices across generations and creating a living legacy that celebrates India’s extraordinary musical diversity.

Tickets for the festival are available on BookMyShow.