NDTV Creators Manch Brings Kailash Kher, Bickram Ghosh To Banaras Biennale
The line-up also features poet Vyomesh Shukla and writer Akshat Gupta
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NDTV Creators Manch will present its Varanasi chapter at the CII Banaras Biennale 2026, bringing together musicians, poets, writers and artisans for a two-day celebration of the city's cultural heritage.
Scheduled at Namo Ghat, the programme will feature performances by singer Kailash Kher with KAILASA, tabla maestro Bickram Ghosh and disciples of the late classical vocalist Girija Devi. The line-up will also include poet Vyomesh Shukla, writer Akshat Gupta and several other voices from India's arts and cultural landscape.
The opening day will begin with Itihas Live, featuring disciples of Girija Devi, followed by a session with Padma Shri Rajeshwar Acharya on Banaras' musical heritage. Kavyaraag, founded by singer-songwriter Chinmayi Tripathi and composer Joell Mukherjii, will present Hindi and Urdu poetry through contemporary musical arrangements. The day will conclude with the Ganga Aarti.
The second day will open with a session by Bickram Ghosh on rhythm and music. Discussions will explore Banaras' literature, history and craft, with participants including gulabi meenakari artist Ramesh Kumar Vishwakarma, Anant Narain Singh, the titular Maharaja of Banaras, and poet Vyomesh Shukla.
The programme will also feature sessions on Shiva's place in Kashi's cultural imagination, everyday humour and the future of art and culture.
Rahul Kanwal, CEO and Editor-in-Chief, NDTV, said the platform aims to explore how artists reinterpret traditions while carrying cultural practices forward.
Madhav Singhania, Chairman of the Steering Committee, CII Banaras Biennale 2026, said the collaboration celebrates Banaras' role in preserving and evolving India's music, poetry and craft traditions.