Chitralekha Dance Festival Set for ICCR Kolkata in January

150 Artists From India, Bangladesh, and Bhutan to Perform at Two-Day Event

Key Points:

• CDF organizes two-day international dance festival on January 31-February 1
• Dr. Upendra Kumar Sharma to direct the prestigious cultural event
• California Television Global to broadcast event across 15 countries

KOLKATA – The Cultural Development Foundation is organizing a two-day international dance and music festival named Chitralekha at the ICCR auditorium on January 31 and February 1, 2026.

A total of 150 young performers will participate in the event. These artists hail from India, Bangladesh, and Bhutan. They will present classical, semi-classical, and folk dance forms. Moreover, Rabindra dance performances will also be showcased.

The festival aims to nurture emerging talent from South Asia. In addition, it seeks to promote cross-cultural artistic exchange. The Indian Council for Cultural Relations is hosting the venue.

Distinguished artists and gurus will receive special honors. The organizers will confer the “Chitralekha Samman” award. Furthermore, the prestigious “Gurushree Padmajyoti Samman” will be presented. These awards recognize outstanding contributions to dance and culture.

Dr. Upendra Kumar Sharma will direct the festival. He is the founder of the Cultural Development Foundation. Besides, he holds membership in the International Dance Council. This council operates under UNESCO recognition.

Dr. Sharma has also served as President. He led the Cultural Wing of ICAT India Chapter. His leadership has connected Indian classical arts with global audiences.

“This festival brings together talented young artists from three nations,” said an organizer. “It will be a landmark event for Kolkata‘s cultural calendar.”

California Television Global will broadcast the event worldwide. The telecast will reach audiences across 15 countries. This global coverage will showcase South Asian artistic traditions.

The CDF is a government-recognized cultural organization. It dedicates itself to promoting Indian classical dance forms. The foundation has been instrumental in fostering artistic talent.

The festival will feature diverse dance traditions from the region. However, it will particularly focus on emerging performers. On the other hand, senior artists will also grace the stage.

Kolkata has a rich tradition of hosting such cultural festivals. The city serves as a hub for classical arts. Meanwhile, ICCR has been a preferred venue for major dance events.