13/02/2026
Here's looking at Sur Jahan!
Across Kolkata, Bannabagram Baul Ashram in Purba Bardhaman, and IIT Kharagpur, musical bands across the country and world spread the message of peace and love, binding us with its magic.
Across its three venues, Sur Jahan 2026 offered a rich range of special highlights that deepened audience engagement beyond the concert stage!
Sur Jahan Kolkata and Sur Jahan Kharagpur hosted lively workshops, where participants explored musical histories, learned about traditional instruments, and joined in social dances, making the learning experience both informative and joyful.
At Sur Jahan Bannabagram Baul Ashram, visitors immersed themselves in the living traditions of West Bengal, engaging closely with Baul philosophy, music, and everyday cultural practices.
Sur Jahan Kharagpur added an element of surprise and discovery through pop-up performances across the campus, as Chadar Badar artists from West Bengal and Durua dancers from Koraput brought spontaneous bursts of rhythm and movement into academic spaces, creating memorable encounters between students, artists, and living heritage.
A major highlight of the Kolkata chapter was the vibrant showcase of indigenous craftsmanship and heritage. Visitors explored a diverse range of traditional arts, including Rabha Handloom from West Bengal’s Alipurduar and Jalpaiguri, finely woven Dhokra jute products from the Dinajpur districts, and eco-friendly Sabai & Kashi Ghash basketry from Odisha and Jharkhand. The festival also featured the striking Appliqué and Embroidery traditions of Rajasthan’s Barmer district. Complementing these crafts, a dedicated Folk Instruments stall, represented by Tarun Das, allowed participants to explore the "soul" of Bengal’s music through a rich range of iktaras and dotaras and other instruments, making the learning experience both informative and joyful.
Our deepest gratitude to the international bands, Sidi Goma, Bauls of Bengal, Folks of Bengal, Debojyoti Mishra and his team, and to the audience, who joined us for this celebration!
