A Celebration to Begin the Year
Marking a celebratory beginning to the new year, Krea Kalotsavam 2026, Krea University’s annual cultural festival, unfolded at the SriCity campus for the second consecutive year as a week-long celebration from 27 to 31st January. Bringing together musicians, dancers, and artists from across the globe who are masters of their craft, the festival offered the Krea community a pause, a space to slow down, reflect, and reconnect through art. Students, faculty, and staff immersed themselves in an atmosphere that felt both tranquil and energising, a welcome respite from the pace of everyday academic life. Beyond showcasing artistic brilliance, the performances highlighted the cultural depth and diversity embedded within each art form, spanning classical and contemporary traditions, folk music, and movement-based storytelling. At its heart, Kalotsavam celebrated not just performance, but the stories, histories, and lived experiences that give art its meaning, resonating with a wide and varied audience.
Opening Notes: Music Across Traditions
The festival opened on January 27 with an evocative performance by Chennai-based musician Vedanth Bharadwaj. Trained in Indian classical music under Sri Ramamoorthy Rao, Vedanth is known for his ability to move fluidly across genres. His set wove together Indian classical elements with Bhakti and Sufi poetry, folk influences, blues, and Western classical textures, creating a soundscape that was both rooted and experimental. The performance struck a deep chord with listeners, setting the tone for the days to follow
Movement, Memory, and Meaning
On January 28, dancers Eveline Noth and Michel Casanovas presented Dream of an Elsewhere, a nuanced duet that explored themes of slowness, travel, and rediscovering childlike wonder. Through restrained movement and quiet intensity, the performance invited the audience to engage with stillness and introspection.
This was followed on January 29 by a Carnatic vocal concert organised by SPIC MACAY at Krea, led by Vidushi Amritha Murali. Accompanied by Sangita Kalanidhi Vidwan R K Shriramkumar on the violin, Vidwan Manoj Siva on the mridangam, and Vidwan Anirudh Atreya on the kanjira, the evening was marked by technical brilliance, emotional depth, and a deep reverence for tradition.
Voices from the Margins
The celebrations continued on January 30 with an evening of folk music by Funkybodhi, featuring S. Rani’s Irular Ensemble. S. Rani, lead singer and social activist highlighted the oral traditions and the lived experiences of the Irular community, an indigenous Dravidian group from Tamil Nadu, in the performance to amplifiy voices that have long remained on the margins, blending music with storytelling and social memory.
Of fairs and Performances
Krea Kalotsavam 2026 culminated on January 31 with a Kalamkari workshop led by master craftsmen from Machilipatnam, alongside a vibrant Kalotsavam fair that transformed the campus into a lively gathering space. The fair featured caricature and live sketching, palm weaving, textile and craft stalls, interactive games, and a wide range of food offerings. The evening concluded with spirited student-led performances by Band BBB, Raag Band, Band Wildcard, and the TBD Dance Crew, reflecting the creativity and collaborative spirit of the Krea student community.
Looking Ahead
As Krea looks ahead, Kalotsavam continues to reaffirm the university’s commitment to fostering spaces where art, culture, and community intersect. With each edition, the festival strengthens its role as a platform for dialogue, discovery, and shared celebration, setting the stage for many more moments of creative exchange in the years to come.