India PinkFest 2026 Exploring Cultural Innovation and Artistic Transformation in Jaipur
- indiapinkfest
- 24 minutes ago
- 5 min read
Celebration of Culture, Community and Creativity
The 5th edition of India PinkFest, a three-day cultural design festival celebrating the historical and artistic richness of Jaipur, commenced with grandeur at the Rajasthan International Centre (RIC). Dedicated to the spirit of the Pink City, the festival brought together art, literature, music, theatre, and dialogue on one vibrant platform, reaffirming India’s deep cultural identity and creative excellence.
Inaugural Ceremony
The festival opened with a ceremonial lamp lighting in the presence of eminent dignitaries and artists. The inauguration was graced by:
Padmashri Prof. Bharat Gupt, Vice Chairman, National School of Drama
Padmashri Prof. Shyam Sunder Sharma
Shri Narmada Prasad Upadyay
Nidhi Chaudhury (IAS), Director NGMA, Mumbai, Ministry of Culture, Government of India
Ruchika Jajodia
Prof. Chinmay Mehta
Prof. Bhawani Shankar Sharma
Prof. Shailendra Singh Khushwaha
Satyajeet Talukdar, Founder Director, India PinkFest
The inaugural session set the tone for a festival that celebrates not merely colors and forms, but growth, innovation, and cultural transformation.
India PinkFest 2026: Reimagining Heritage and Remapping the Cultural Roots of Bharat, Redefining Artistic Expression in Jaipur
India Pinkfest Key Session: Kala Sastra
A significant academic highlight was the session titled “Kala Sastra: Material Experimentation and Artistic Transformation.” The discussion featured:
Padmashri Prof. Bharat Gupt
Mrs. Yukti Gupt (Classical Performer and Practitioner)
Moderated by Kathak Guru Ms. Prerna Shrimali
Speakers reflected on artistic evolution, material experimentation, and the role of art in shaping societal growth. Bharat Gupt emphasized that PinkFest represents development and innovation across creative sectors.
Grand Art Exhibition
One of the central attractions of PinkFest 2026 is its expansive art exhibition:
400+ paintings
100+ national and international artists
Curated by Dharmendra Rathore and Festival Director Satyajeet Talukdar
The exhibition showcases artistic interpretations of Rajasthan’s heritage while engaging in global artistic dialogue. Participating artists include:
Padmashri Shyam Sharma
Dharmendra Rathore
Rinku Debdas
Manoj Dharekar
Ramesh Bhosle
Smarati Joshi
Sridhar Iyer
Mukesh Salvi
K.R. Subhana
Jayant Parikh
Vijay M Dhore
Kush Mali
And several international artists from Brazil, Russia, Norway, Australia, and England
Institutional Participation
Artists from prestigious institutions and collectives contributed significantly, including:
State Lalit Kala Academy ( Uttar Pradesh)
National Gallery of Modern art, NGMA Mumbai
Vishwa Bharati Shanti Niketan Alumni Group Show
Banaras Hindu University
Maharaja Sayajirao University of Baroda
AURO University, Gujrat
Shakuntala University, Lucknow
Kalaneeri Art Gallery
Doro Art Gallery
Chitra Bhoomi Art Gallery
These collaborations provided the exhibition with a global perspective while maintaining strong Indian cultural roots.
Research Journal Release
The research journal of Rajasthan University department of Fine Art “Sahityayan” was formally released on the India PinkFest 2026 stage, adding academic depth to the festival’s creative engagements.
Major Attractions – Day One
The opening day offered a vibrant blend of performances and participatory events:
Live Art Camps
Cultural Ramp Walk – “Tana Bana”
Theatre Performance – “Do Akeli”
Kathak presentation – Padanyas
Classical vocal and instrumental music
Folk music performances
Poetry session – “Safarnama” by Mazils Group
Open Mic Live
Live storytelling sessions
The day beautifully intertwined rhythm, expression, and visual art, leaving audiences mesmerized.
Other Highlights of the festival
The Dialogue session promises thought-provoking discussions and artistic brilliance, including:
Dialogues and Panel Discussion:
· Community Memory: Folk Narratives as Living Ethics सामुदायिक स्मृति: लोक कथाएँ एक जीवित नैतिक परंपरा के रूप में
· Bharat ki Baat Bharat ke Saath: Awakening with the Unheard Past
भारत की बात, भारत के साथ: अनसुने अतीत का जागरण
· Drishya, Dhrishti & Darshan: The Sacred Act of Visual Meet दृश्य, दृष्टि और दर्शन,: दृश्य संयोग की पवित्र प्रक्रिया
· “Bharat Bodh – Civilizational Discourse” भारत बोध – सांस्कृतिक जन चेतना का आधार स्तंभ
· AI, the Illusion of Revival, and the Vanishing Voice ए आई : पुनरुत्थान का मृगतृष्णा -लोक और लुप्त होती मानवीय आवाज़)
· Transcultural Abstraction: India and the Global Dialogues of Modernism अंतर-सांस्कृतिक अमूर्तन) : भारत और वैश्विक आधुनिकता के बीच एक जीवंत संवाद
· “Before the Nation: Bharat’s Timeless Perspective of Persistent Ideas” भारत एक भौगोलिक सीमांकन नहीं, एक चिरंतन यात्रा प्रवाह
· Devotional Aesthetics: Music, Rhythm, Motion, and Optical Imagery
भक्ति का सौंदर्यबोध: स्वर, लय, गति और नेत्रों में उतरते बिंब
· Cultural Nationalism: Thinking in Our Own Civilizational Expressions?
सांस्कृतिक राष्ट्रवाद: क्या हम अपनी सभ्यतागत भाषा में सोचना सीख पाए ?
· DHURANDER KA DHAMALBollywood Cinema: Stardom Versus Narrative Tradition
सितारों से कथाओं तक: सिनेमा का बदलता भारत
Art Appreciation Academic Session
o From Sketchbook to Prompt: Is AI changing the Designer’s Identity?
o Designing for the Next 100 Years, Not the Next Season.
o Is Sustainable Design a Trend or the Only Future?
o Gen Z as Designers: Rebels, Reformers, or Rule Breakers?
o From Pink City to Contemporary City: Bridging Heritage, Tradition and Innovation
o “Turning Passion into Profit: Opportunities in India’s Creative Space”
Book Launch
Odissi Dance: Therapeutics Aesthetics Metaphysics. Author : Dr.Reela Hota Book release and Discussion by Chief Secretary Rajasthan Shri V. Shrinivas (IAS)Chief Secretary of Rajasthan, Padma Bhushan Pt. Vishwa Mohan Bhatt, Dr.Archana Srivastava, Former Dean, Philosophy, Raj University, Sushri Prerna shrimali and Dr. Reela Hota
Special Performances –
“Shringaar” by Community Women Group - Rasa of Beauty“Shringar is not mere adornment; it is the soul of Indian tradition, where beauty becomes devotion, culture becomes expression. Raghushree Poddar, Social Entrepreneur I Former Chairperson Of FICCI FLO. Curator - SHRINGAR at India Pinkfest
Story telling
जैपर री ओलखाण - Untold Story of Jaipur – The Pink City by Rajveer Singh Chilkoi
"हेलो मायड़ भाषा रो" - By : Himanshu Kiran Sharma - BOX FM संस्थापक- राजस्थानी युवा समिति
Yoga ke Rang Kala ke Sang : Group performance by Ravi Kamra ( Vaishali Nagar yoga Park , Jaipur)
Areas of Exploration at India PinkFest 2026
Art Exhibition & Installations
Curated contemporary and thematic artworks exploring identity, inclusion, and cultural narratives through immersive installations.
Literary Dialogue Sessions
Conversations with authors and scholars addressing literature, gender, culture, and social commentary.
Authors’ Corner
Book launches, reviews, and author interactions in a dedicated creative space.
Academic Art Appreciation Sessions
Engaging educators, artists, and learners in critical dialogue about visual arts and cultural studies.
Poetry, Storytelling & Youth Parliament Debates
Dynamic performances highlighting diverse narratives and youth voices.
TANA-BANA Culture Walk
A celebration of heritage craftsmanship meeting sustainable contemporary design.
Art Workshops
Hands-on creative sessions for all age groups conducted by experienced artists.
Film Screenings
Showcasing powerful cinema that celebrates diverse lived experiences.
Performing Arts (Classical, Folk & Theatre)
Classical Dance & Music: Bharatanatyam, Kathak, Odissi, Hindustani & Carnatic recitals
Folk Performances: Traditional dances, songs, and storytelling
Theatre: Children theater, ज़ीरो बन गया हीरो - Maths in education based comedy performance, By: CURIO. "अजब चोर की गजब कहानी " लेखक निर्देशक अशोक राही (एक सच्चे चोर की बलिदान गाथा), लेखक निर्देशक अशोक राही, Contemporary plays and street performances
Conclusion
India PinkFest 2026 stands as a vibrant testament to Jaipur’s artistic legacy and India’s evolving creative landscape. The first day set an inspiring tone—bringing together over 250 eminent writers, academicians, public speakers, and 300+ artists on a single platform.
Through exhibitions, performances, intellectual discourse, and community engagement, PinkFest continues to celebrate culture not merely as heritage, but as a living, evolving force shaping the nation’s creative future.
India PinkFest is not just a festival—it is a movement celebrating imagination, dialogue, and artistic growth.
Comments