The Mahindra Percussion Festival is gearing up for its highly anticipated second edition, promising an extraordinary showcase of percussion rhythms and a star-studded line-up of artists. Scheduled for the 23rd and 24th of March 2024 at the Prestige Srihari Khoday Centre for Performing Arts in Bengaluru, this year’s festival aims to immerse music enthusiasts in a mesmerizing collision of cultures and sounds, building on the success of its inaugural year.
Expanding into a two-day extravaganza, the festival seeks to inject new energy into Indian street culture and percussion tradition. The event promises to be a groundbreaking platform for marginalized voices and unexplored genres, with percussion at its pulsating core. Each featured artist will present their unique style, bringing to life the rich and diverse sounds from local streets across India, showcasing the varied realities and traditions they represent.
At the heart of the festival’s line-up is the Ghatam Symphony by Vikku Vinayakram, featuring Grammy winner V Selvaganesh, Swaminathan Selvaganesh, and V Umashankar, promising to captivate audiences with their unparalleled creativity. Taufiq Qureshi’s Surya will explore global percussion sounds, blending Afro, Latin, Indian, and contemporary music with an ensemble including Sarang Kulkarni, Abhay Nayampally, Kaushiki Joglekar, and Shikhar Naad.
Anantha R Krishana and Vivieck Rajagopalan’s Two Summ will offer a unique fusion of the mridangam with electronic, drum and bass, jazz, and folk. Ashtanayika – Kal Aur Aaj aims to bridge classical and contemporary arts through a fusion of poetry, rap, and dance, featuring Shivangini Yeashu Yuvraj, Krantinaari, Pratika, and others, set against a backdrop of classical and street percussion.
The festival also celebrates the rich heritage of Indian folk music with the Rhythms of India ensemble, showcasing the talents of BC Manjunath, Darshan Doshi, SG Pramath Kiran, and Varijashree Venugopal, among others. The Swarathma Percussive Experience with Thavil Raja and Beat Gurus, and Charu Hariharan’s collaboration Kattunaykkar Jenukuruba & Kozhikode Nanthalakootam will bring folk and tribal artists to the forefront, highlighting the diversity and richness of Indian percussion.
The Mahindra Percussion Festival aims to democratize this lost art form and nurture an appreciation for it among the next generation. It stands as a true testimony to the profound ability of music to unite people from different walks of life, celebrating the timeless rhythm of percussion through a contemporary lens.
Jay Shah, Vice President – Cultural Outreach at Mahindra Group, expressed his excitement about the festival, stating, “Building on the phenomenal success of its debut edition, this year, the Mahindra Percussion Festival promises to be an even more electrifying celebration of rhythm and community.”
VG Jairam, Founder of Hyperlink Brand Solutions, added, “This isn’t just a music festival; it’s a cultural movement celebrating percussion tradition. By bringing together renowned artists and emerging talents, it not only showcases brilliance but inspires the next generation of beatmakers and fosters a global community that will thrive on the power of shared rhythm.”
Join in celebrating the beating heart of music on the 23rd and 24th of March 2024 at the Prestige Srihari Khoday Centre for Performing Arts, Bengaluru. Registrations for the
