Feb 02: In a rhythmically diverse nation like India, where every region nurtures and practises its own percussive dialect, the Mahindra Percussion Festival is back with a new edition to unify this musical spirit of the country. Returning back to its home turf in Bengaluru at the Prestige Centre for Performing Arts, this two-day festival will bring together different music disciplines. From musical maestros to young voices from across the country are set to celebrate the universal language of rhythm on March 7th and 8th, 2026.
The Mahindra Percussion Festival, over the years, took the shape of a movement that has dedicated itself to preserving the language of rhythm and keeping it relevant for the contemporary audience. The festival has reimagined the ways to honour the percussion which sits at the core of India’s musical heritage. It aims to bridge the glorious past to the present, enmeshing the old and newer traditions.
In 2025, Mahindra Percussion Festival paid tribute to Ustad Zakir Hussain, who took the Indian classical music tradition to a global stage. This encapsulates the festival’s purpose. It demonstrates that Indian percussion is not just any entity; it is a living art form that carries stories from the past with an infinite potential of evolution. This tribute crystallised the need to turn the platform into a mission to unite the widespread percussive movement and display our greatest strength—the musical diversity.
The lineup for the 2026 Mahindra Percussion Festival manifests this vision of unity through collaborations that span India’s rhythmic landscape. A landmark highlight of the festival is the collaboration titled Nada Pravaham – Circle of Sound. This set features the legendary mridangam maestro and Padma Vibushan Umayalpuram K. Sivaraman alongside the formidable Ishaan Ghosh and Shravan Samsi. Through the mridangam, tabla, and the drums, the set infuses energy of traditional practices while letting rhythm shape a dialogue between old traditions and palpable energy of a new generation.
Another standout presentation is YĀTRĀ by National Award-winning vocalist Mahesh Kale. YATRA puts forward the radical idea of rhythm itself becoming a spiritual path. Presented by Mahesh Kale who has established himself as the face of Indian classical music of the new generation. Through YATRA, Kale will take us on a spiritual journey of Maharashtra’s bhakti culture, where percussion takes centre stage and Kale’s vocals will act as a catalyst on this artistic pilgrimage.
‘Women Who Drum’ presents a groundbreaking collective of women artists, including Swarupa Ananth, Charu Hariharan, Nush Lewis, Hamta Baghi, and Shalini Mohan. This ensemble highlights female voices in percussion by combining diverse instruments like the tabla, mridangam, and various world percussion to create a contemporary collaborative sound.
‘The Parai Awakens – Unreserved Live’ By Praveen Sparsh and an ensemble of Parai artists highlights the festival’s commitment to amplify every voice within the musical landscape. The act brings one of India’s oldest instruments into the mainstream through reinvention and reclamation. With ‘Parai’, which means ‘to speak’, the performance gives voice to ancient traditions, proving that the festival is truly building an inclusive space. It is committed to providing a platform where every voice, every community, and every tradition can coexist.
Finally, the festival is slated to feature Grammy-nominated tabla virtuoso Bickram Ghosh and his powerful, percussion-led concert Drums of the East. The Sangeet Natak Akademi Award winner has conceived this presentation to celebrate deep and spiritually charged rhythmic traditions and sounds of Bengal and the eastern cultural corridor. With Bickram as the rhythmic anchor, the show layers tabla, electronic percussion, and body drums. The ensemble also includes Gopal Barman on Sreekhol; Ranjan De commanding the dhol; and Gokul Dhaaki and his team playing Dhaak; and Abhisek Mallick’s electric sitar will offer the balance with its melodic contours.
This powerhouse live act bridges Hindustani classical roots with global sensibilities by integrating diverse instruments and contemporary textures. By creating a high-energy, immersive experience, Ghosh provides the rhythmic pulse that unites the festival’s many voices.
Jay Shah, Vice President and Head of Cultural Outreach at the Mahindra Group, said, “In India, percussion remains an integral part of our musical culture that dates back to ancient times. Through the Mahindra Percussion Festival, we are unifying artists from across the country who carry different identities, but their art represents the singular spirit of India’s evolved music tradition. It is our attempt to keep this common cultural identity relevant for the future generations, bridging the past and present and actively contributing in the quest to shape the future of Indian music.”
VG Jairam, Founder of Hyperlink Brand Solutions, added, “With the Mahindra Percussion Festival, we are propelling the cultural significance that India’s richest percussive heritage carries. At Hyperlink, our efforts have been towards ensuring that this legacy resonates with the new-age audience. Through diverse cultures coming together, it is a pan-India celebration of the interconnectedness of our culture that is rooted in our musical history. Through these endeavours, music acts as a catalyst to build a widespread movement that becomes an important part of our cultural fabric.”
The fourth edition of the Mahindra Percussion Festival aims to bring together the different sonic flavours of the country. The festival reflects Mahindra Group’s continued efforts to preserve the richness of rhythm, elevate voices from different generations and create a legacy that infuses a renewed vigour for our rich musical legacy.
