Press Release Overview

On Monday, 5 October 2026, Vedanta issued a press release announcing the artist lineup for the third edition of the Jaigarh Heritage Festival, scheduled for 18‑20 December 2026 at the historic Jaigarh Fort in Jaipur. The festival is presented by Vedanta in partnership with Teamwork Arts, an initiative of Sawai Padmanabh Singh, and is supported by the KGK Foundation and Code Silver.

Festival Scope and Setting

The three‑day event will be staged against the 10th‑century Jaigarh Fort, a UNESCO‑listed heritage site perched on the ‘Cheel ka Teela’ hill overlooking Amer Fort and Maota Lake. The fort, opened to the public in 1983, serves as a symbolic backdrop for the festival’s aim to blend Rajasthan’s living heritage with contemporary artistic expressions. The 2026 edition aligns with Jaipur’s preparation for its 300th anniversary in 2027, adding a commemorative dimension to the programme.

International Line‑up

The international roster includes:

  • Bombino, the Grammy‑nominated desert‑blues guitarist from the Sahara, known for his album Deran.
  • Titi Robin & Murad Ali Khan presenting Khushboo, a cross‑cultural collaboration featuring French and Rajasthani influences, with guest performers Gulabo Sapera and Mahua Shankar.
  • Yaroslav Dzhus & Viktoria Leleka, a Ukrainian duo delivering acoustic sets that blend bandura, piano, jazz, folk and world‑music elements.

These artists expand the festival’s musical canvas beyond India, showcasing global folk traditions alongside local forms.

Indian Line‑up and Highlights

The Indian segment features a diverse array of folk and contemporary acts:

  • Mame Khan’s Folk Orchestra of Rajasthan, assembling 32 master musicians and more than 15 generations of Manganiyar performers, described as the world’s first folk orchestra.
  • Sona Mohapatra’s ‘Untamed Beloved’, a thematic exploration of the shared spiritual threads between Sufi and Bhakti traditions.
  • Barmer Boys, a Rajasthani folk trio, and Mooralala Marwada, representing the living voice of Kutch.
  • Additional performances include Rehmat‑e‑Nusrat (Qawwali from the hills), Dholak Rani (songs of the Ganga‑Jamuna heartland), Kartikeya & Makrand (flute and percussion soundscape), Laxman Das Baul (Baul legacy), Dharohar Band led by Bhutte Khan, Manganiyar Nathoo Lal Solanki (Pushkar’s Nagada heritage), among others.

Statements from Organisers and Sponsors

  • Sawai Padmanabh Singh remarked that Jaigarh Fort “has always stood as a living witness to Jaipur’s history” and that this year’s programme “brings together the voices of Rajasthan with artists from across India and the world” as the city approaches its 300th year.
  • Priya Agarwal Hebbar, Chairperson of Hindustan Zinc and Non‑Executive Director of Vedanta, said, “Music has this extraordinary ability to cross boundaries and remind us of everything we hold in common. At Vedanta, we are proud to partner with the Jaigarh Heritage Festival to celebrate the extraordinary mastery of Rajasthan’s folk traditions alongside global voices.”
  • Sanjoy K. Roy, Managing Director of Teamwork Arts, highlighted the festival’s role in “bringing together the living arts traditions of Rajasthan in collaboration with distinctive voices from India and around the world.”
  • Avik Roy, Festival Producer, explained that the programme aims to “reflect the diversity and richness of the traditions that surround us, while also bringing in artists and sounds from different parts of India and the world.”
  • Sammohan Mathodia, Co‑Producer, noted that the festival is “born from a unique collaboration between Sawai Padmanabh Singh and Teamwork Arts, with a shared vision to make heritage a living, evolving cultural experience.”

Additional Festival Elements

Beyond music, the festival will feature craftspeople, speakers, storytelling sessions, and gastronomy, creating an immersive cultural experience for attendees from Rajasthan and beyond. The event will also be supported by Sawai Jaipur Experiences (SJE), which offers heritage‑focused tours, royal dining, and bespoke event planning across Jaipur’s landmarks.

About Teamwork Arts

Teamwork Arts, India’s pioneering arts company with over 30 years of experience, produces more than 33 festivals annually across 45 cities and 19 countries. Its portfolio includes the Jaipur Literature Festival, the world’s largest literary gathering, and newer initiatives such as the Jaigarh Heritage Festival (2024) and Voices of Faith in London. In 2026, Teamwork Arts inaugurated the Avakai: Amaravati Festival of Cinema, Culture and Literature in Vijayawada.

Contact and Further Information

For updates, the festival’s official website is https://jaigarhheritagefestival.com/. Social media handles include Facebook, X (formerly Twitter), and Instagram under the @Jaigarhfestival handle.

Disclaimer

The press release is provided under an arrangement with NRDPL. PTI takes no editorial responsibility for the content.