Upcoming Events

Experience 90 minutes of sheer artistic bliss as Usha Gupta Entourage from Edmonton, Canada, joins hands with exceptionally talented visiting artistes from India and the United Kingdom, alongside outstanding local performers, to present Raga Rang—a mesmerizing celebration of India’s diverse musical and dance heritage. Journey through the soul-stirring world of Hindustani classical music, the lyrical beauty of Thumris, the poetic elegance of Ghazals, the devotional spirit of Bhajans,and the infectious vibrancy of Indian folk music, showcasing the rich cultural tapestry of the subcontinent. Complementing this musical odyssey is the breathtaking artistry of Kathak, where graceful movement, intricate footwork, expressive storytelling, and dazzling rhythm create an unforgettable visual spectacle.Featuring a stellar ensemble of Sitar, Sarode, Western Violin, Hindustani Vocals, Carnatic Vocals, Tabla, and other accomplished musicians, Raga Rang seamlessly blends classical finesse with the colourful spirit of India’s folk traditions.

An unforgettable evening where melody, rhythm, dance, and storytelling come together to celebrate the timeless essence, diversity, and splendour of Indian performing arts.

ARTISTS

Praveen D Rao – Composer

Varijashree Venugopal – Classical Vocalist

Dr. Deepak Paramashivan – Mozart Composition – Classical Vocalist

Gurumurthy – Percussionist, Tabla

Atish Mukhopadyay – Sarode player

Shruti Kamath – Sitar

John Calverley – Violinist

Usha Gupta – Artistic Director, Concept and Direction

ADMISSION FREE !!!

RESERVE YOUR SEAT: www.culturejsutto.com from 4th September 2026

An afternoon of Poetry is a much-awaited annual event curated by Ambica Sharma as part of Kabir Centre’s NexGen Festival. Through narration of poetry in mulitple languges and an engaging panel discussion on the relevance and influence of poetry on our lives, the event enhances the bridge-building activities of the centre.

Admission Free; donations greatly appreciated.
RSVP: info@centrekabir.com

Garden of Literary Delights is an engaging literary event curated by Veena Gokhale as part of Kabir Centre’s NexGen Festival. Through readings, conversation, and creative exploration, the event invites participants into a vibrant garden of stories, ideas, and imagination, celebrating literature as a space for connection, reflection, and cultural discovery.

Admission Free; RSVP: info@centrekabir.com

Interludes – Ishita Banerjee & Sekhar Roy

Life is a mix of shapes, figures, expressions, moods, and feelings that, once captured on canvas and interpreted through colors and their interactions, represent a creative interlude for an artist within a continuous symphony, reflecting the intensity of life’s movement. The brushstrokes, the choice of colors, and their interactions — which strive to capture and reveal the fluidity of emotions and expressions — shine through in the paintings of these two internationally renowned artists.

VERNISSAGE: MONDAY 5TH OCTOBER 4 PM

EXHIBITION 5-25 OCTOBER 2026
accessible during the opening hours of the centre

FREE ADMISSION 

Long awaited throughout the year, the Music Day of the NexGen MultiArts festival highlights the talents of emerging
Canadian musicians (also some estabished) from the South Asian / Asian communities. The following music will be presented.

Bolbolestan – Urmawi Ensemble – 2:30 pm
In the land of the nightingale, the Urmawi Ensemble, led by Lamia Yared, presents ‘Bolbolestan,’
a program where classical Arab and Persian musical traditions come together. An original work by Showan Tavakol sits alongside
Persian tasnifs, muwashshahât, and improvised pieces, weaving connections between heritage and creativity.

Mélodies de l’âme – Utkarsha Kale Ensemble – 4 pm 
Be transported into the fascinating world of Indian ragas, a musical journey ranging from majestic classical songs
to more intimate forms inspired by popular devotion. For those familiar with this music,
it’s Khayal, Dadra, Bhajans, and Abhang.

Man Kunto Maula Qawwali – Mushfiq Ensemble – 5:15 pm
This Sufi music performance will feature the famous composition “Man Kunto Maula” by Hazrat Amir Khusrow,
as well as selected qawwalis made famous by Ustad Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan. The program will include Sufi devotional poetry
in Hindi, Urdu, Punjabi, and Persian, including verses inspired by Rumi. The performance will celebrate the spiritual beauty of
Qawwali, Sufi thought, and traditional devotional music.

ADMISSION FREE; ALL WELCOME!

On this day dedicated to emerging Canadian dancers (and their gurus) from the South Asian community of artists,
the festival presents the following three fascinating events.

Vadya Katha – Mrudanga Ensemble & Enakshi Sinha – 2:30 pm
Vadya Katha, which means Musical Story-telling in Sanskrit, is a mesmerizing Odissi dance production of a style originating from the eastern Indian state of Odisha. It takes you on a rhythmic journey through Odisha’s diverse soundscapes. From the sacred temple rhythms of Puri to the raw earthy beats of Sambalpur’s folk traditions, this production brings to life the voices of 15 different kinds of Percussion instruments – from the lyrical Mrudanga and the vibrant Daskathia, to the electrifying Tassa and beyond.

Kingdom of Cards – Kalavatee Dance Centre – 4 pm
This is an English adaptation (with French translation) of Rabindranath Tagore’s renowned dance drama Tasher Desh (Kingdom of Cards), a powerful and imaginative story of rebellion, freedom, and transformation. Originally written by Tagore from the land of Bengal as a symbolic critique of rigid social structures, the production brings together storytelling, music, and dance in a visually engaging and culturally rich performance. This interpretation blends multiple classical and contemporary dance styles, including Bharatnatyam, Kathak, Manipuri, and contemporary, creating a dynamic and accessible experience for diverse audiences.

Bharatamohanam – Adishankara Academy of Performing Arts – 5:15 pm
This event is an intriguing dialogue of dance, weaving together the elegance of Bharatanatyam and the poise of Mohiniyattam, two classical dance styles from the South of India.

ADMISSION FREE, ALL ARE WELCOME!