Bikaner Festival

This festival, held in January, in Bikaner, Rajasthan, is dedicated to the ship of the desert - the camel. The festival starts with a magnificent procession of beautifully decorated camels. There's plenty of Rajasthani culture on show too, to enchant those present: music, dance and competitions.

Chapchar Kut

"Kut" means festival in Mizo parlance, and the state of Mizoram celebrates 3 of them: Chapchar Kut, Mim Kut and Pawl Kut. All are connected with agricultural activities, and all are celebrated with feasts and dances.

Chapchar Kut celebrates the arrival of spring. The festival begins with Kut Puipate , the inauguration ceremony, followed by the Then Katna , arranging of the dance groups in the stadium. Once the Then Hnihna begins, elders, dressed in traditional costumes to represent the various tribes of the region, take part in a fantastic procession called Kut rore . This is followed by various tribal dances, the most important being the Cheraw (bamboo dance). The function ends with the Then Thumna, an event where local singers present traditional popular songs, with the cheering crowd joining in.

Chennai Dance & Music Festival

Started back in 1927 to commemorate the anniversary of the Madras Music Academy, this month-long festival is held from mid December to mid January in the city of Chennai to celebrate (classical) Carnatic music and the dance traditions of South India.

For lovers of Carnatic music, this is a treat. Held at a number of venues around the city by various sabhas (organizations), this cultural extravaganza sees more than 2,000 people take part. There are vocal and instrumental music concerts, and solo and group dances, with upcoming artistes getting a rare opportunity to perform along with well-established artistes.

Deccan Festival

See the gracious city of Hyderabad, in Andhra Pradesh, come alive with ghazal nights, qawalis, mushairas, a pearl and bangle fair, and a food festival serving the best of the city's famed cuisine.

Desert Festival

This three-day extravaganza of colour, music and festivity is held on the stretches of sand around the desert citadel of Jaisalmer in Rajasthan, in February each year. The fun and frolic includes fire dancers swaying to traditional tunes, a turban-tying competition and a Mr. Desert contest. The grand finale is a trip to the sand dunes to watch folk dancers and musicians perform under the stars. A camel ride is a must!

Dover Lane Music Conference

Kolkata's largest Indian classical musical event, the Dover Lane Music Conference is held in January every year at Nazrul Mancha. It has been taking place for the last 25 years.