Lucknow: The 10th edition of the Kabir Festival concluded in Lucknow with a vibrant three-day celebration of music, theatre, art and Sufi philosophy at the Sangeet Natak Akademi, Gomti Nagar. Held from 28 to 30 November, the festival operated daily from noon to 9 pm, drawing large audiences from across the city. The finale lit up the sky with lanterns and kites, while the crowd swayed to Kabir’s immortal verse, “Haman hai ishq mastana, haman ko hoshiyari kya,” bringing the event to a poetic and spirited close.
Youthful Start to Day Three
The third and final day began with a lively podcast session titled “The Buzz Box,” hosted by Kuljeet. The session set an energetic tone for the day, reflecting the youthful enthusiasm the festival has become known for. As visitors flowed into the Akademi complex, the atmosphere buzzed with creative anticipation.
Workshops, Performances and Creative Exchanges
Throughout the day, a series of creative and interactive sessions filled the venue with artistic activity. Yoga sessions, modern Madhubani art demonstrations, pottery workshops, mask-making, puppet craft and musical instrument demonstrations kept young participants engaged. A particularly striking moment was the environmental street play directed by Sangeeta Jaiswal, which concluded with the distribution of participation certificates.
Shivanjali led an insightful session on the nuances of folk dance and the structure of Kabir’s songs, followed by a spirited performance. The campus also witnessed an immersive nukkad theatre workshop, a poetry recital by Dr. Poonam Thakur, and a mushaira conducted by Swaraj and Himanshu. Literary enthusiasts gathered for a dialogue hosted by Rajeev Trivedi, while a film appreciation workshop conducted by Upasana Tripathi and Dr. Avinash engaged cinema lovers in decoding visual storytelling.
Art installations curated by Himanshu Shukla of Art Village added a striking visual element across the festival grounds. The ambience of lanterns, kites and festive décor on the final day was orchestrated by Suruchi. Anchoring duties across the Kabir Festival sessions were handled by Meena, Twisha and Archana, who ensured smooth transitions throughout the day.
Cinema Discussions and Guru Dutt Remembered
The third day also featured an in-depth conversation under the “Samjho Cinema” series, where participants explored the aesthetics and evolution of Hindi cinema. The session drew a strong response, with young cinephiles engaging actively in discussions.
A special film screening and panel discussion on the iconic Guru Dutt titled “Jinhe Naaz Hai Hind Par, Woh Kahaan Hain?” added intellectual depth to the festival’s final day. The conversation was moderated by senior scientist Dr. Saman Habib, along with Dr. Hariom and Dr. Avinash, who collectively reflected on Guru Dutt’s cinematic legacy and enduring relevance.
Books and Ideas: A Literary Afternoon
The literary segment of the festival saw the release of several notable books. Authors Utkarsh Sinha (“Khajuraho Diary”), Deepika Chaturvedi (“Gomti Nadi”), Arshna Azmat (“Sex, Society and She”) and Tabsum (“Swatantrata Sangram Mein Mahilayein”) discussed their works, themes and research processes. The session drew a mixed audience of scholars, students and readers, creating an engaging intellectual exchange.
A Courtroom Revisited on Stage
The festival also hosted a memorable session titled “Khamosh! Adalat Jari Hai,” featuring senior advocate I. B. Singh as the keynote speaker. Singh captivated the audience with courtroom anecdotes, legal insights and personal stories from his decades-long career. The hall remained packed as listeners responded warmly to the rare blend of law and storytelling.
A Sufi-Lit Finale
As evening fell, the venue transformed under the warm glow of lanterns and lamps. Sufi singers took over the stage, and the audience was drawn into a collective trance of melody and spiritual reflection. The finale offered a perfect blend of illumination and emotion, symbolising the soul of the Kabir Festival.
Theatre Triumph: “Dance Like a Man”
The grand finale of the festival was marked by a houseful performance of the acclaimed play “Dance Like a Man.” Written by Sahitya Akademi award-winning playwright Mahesh Dattani and directed by Lilette Dubey, the play has been staged across five continents in more than 700 shows.
The narrative centres around Jairaj and Ratna, two ageing Bharatanatyam dancers confronting their past, and their daughter Lata, who stands on the brink of artistic success. The play weaves themes of ambition, generational conflict, family secrets and the pursuit of art, while blending humour with emotional depth. Its performance at the Kabir Festival received a standing ovation, marking one of the highlights of the 12-day cultural celebration.
Supported by State Institutions
The Kabir Festival was organised with cooperation from Uttar Pradesh’s Department of Culture, the Tourism Department, Lucknow Development Authority, Khadi Gramodyog and the State Bank of India. Their support ensured that the festival reached diverse audiences across the city, representing multiple age groups, genders and communities.
The 10th Kabir Festival concluded on a powerful note, reaffirming Lucknow’s reputation as a thriving hub for cultural expression. With its blend of music, theatre, film, literature and visual arts, the festival once again proved to be a dynamic platform where tradition meets contemporary creativity. The organisers expressed hope that the next edition will be even grander, carrying forward Kabir’s timeless philosophy into the future.
