India is a fusion of many different civilizations, traditions, art forms, and other things. Currently, our nation’s art scene is alive, dynamic, and on par with that of the rest of the globe. In 2022, the Indian art scene regained its vibrancy and vigour. It experimented with form and new media while exploring art with artists, galleries, and exhibitions around India. This revived interest is well captured in a whole Indian art calendar. So here is a list of the best art festivals in India for the creative wanderers:

Top Art Festivals Recommendations if you Love Art

1. Kala Ghoda Art Festival, February

The KGAF was established in 1999 to advance and safeguard South Mumbai’s cultural heritage, but it has now come to have its own identity. At the moment, it acts as a full exposition of Indian art forms, involving theatre and music, street art, incredible installations, philanthropic causes, regional food, heritage excursions through South Mumbai, as well as a shopping frenzy. The festival’s popularity has grown dramatically over the years. To accommodate the rise in participation and audience, it has expanded from being restricted to the Kala Ghoda neighbourhood to include adjacent auditoriums, parks, and theatres.

2. Kochi Muziris Biennale

The Kochi Muziris Biennale is a four-month-long exhibition of contemporary art held on the island of Fort Kochi in Kerala. Contemporary work from Indian and international artists is presented in a variety of media, including paintings, sculptures, installations, and more. This volume reportedly includes more than 45 new commissions from more than 25 different countries, as well as artwork by about 90 artists. Also, for more than 120 days, Cabral Yard will host a range of regional programmes, such as theatre shows, movie screenings, and a comeback of local music and visual arts. More than 2.4 lakh people have visited the Kochi-Muziris Biennale’s Fifth Edition since it began, which focuses on tales of time passing, relocation, and the feminine gaze.

3. India Art Fair, February

The Indian Art Fair is a distinctive entryway to the bustling unique art setting of the region. It is the best place to find modern and contemporary art from South Asia. The annual fair honours modern South Asia by fusing cutting-edge contemporary visual art with modern masters and regional creative traditions in New Delhi, the nation’s capital. The programme brings together galleries and institutions, private foundations and arts charities, artists’ collectives and national museums, as well as cultural events and festivals, and places art and the artist’s voice at its core. This enables both local and international audiences to interact creatively with the art, the history and evolution of the region’s culture. The purpose of the event is to promote opportunities for both professional development and arts education.

4. Elephanta Festival, March

The Maharashtra Tourist Development Corporation’s Elephanta Festival is a cultural art exhibition in Mumbai (MTDC). This festival is a great opportunity to view the Elephanta Caves, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and it takes place around an hour outside of Mumbai. This festival offers a distinctive platform for cultural diversity and wealth. It showcases India’s pluralism by honouring a variety of Indian traditional dance and music styles. Over these two days, the entire network of caves is converted into an outdoor theatre. Well-known performers from all around the country attend this festival.

5. Phad se Padh

Bringing the art of Phad back to the limelight, Phad se Padh is a unique initiative by Rooftop. It’s one-of-a-kind art festivals featuring an indigenous art form of Rajasthan. Schools students from Jaipur and Delhi created Phad paintings on a specific topic of their course and presented it with musical performances. Over 60 schools participated in Phad se Padh. These paintings made by the students were presented in exhibitions in City Palace, JKK, and CCRT, Delhi.

6. Govandi Arts Festival, February

The Govandi Arts Festival, which runs from 15th-19th February, is a cultural endeavour that celebrates the fervour and perseverance of the Govandi community via visual and performing arts. This campaign started as a result of the community’s need to reclaim the narrative about their neighbourhood, which is much more than just a “ghetto.”

7. Surajkund Crafts Fair, February

With millions of local and international visitors each year, this is one of India’s most anticipated and varied art exhibits. Since its debut in 1987, the celebration has expanded in scope and beauty. The Haryana government and the Surajkund Mela Authority now manage it on a sizable 40-acre scale, with more than 1000 work huts participating. To offer the celebration new life and variety, each year a different Indian State is chosen to present special exhibitions that promote its cultural performances, artefacts, handicrafts, and cuisine. All SAARC nations are invited to exhibit and promote their exquisite native crafts that have been preserved for ages alongside the local artisans.

8. Delhi International Arts Festival

Projected to be the International Festival of India, DIAF has made great strides in achieving its goal of making a substantial impact on the cultural landscape of the world. It promotes the blending of various foreign cultures. A well-known classical dancer created the event, which is run in collaboration with the government. The 15 to 25 day event attracts significant participation from foreign artists. It is planned with a fresh theme and diplomatic endeavour each year. It is spread out across 40 places throughout the NCR region and is a great showcase of performing arts, martial arts, cuisine, and culture from all over the nation and the world.

9. Mumbai Urban Art Festival, February

Mumbai’s fluidity as a metropolis with a mixture of beauty, gloom, and diversity will be depicted by the “city in flux” idea. With 60 domestic and foreign artists, it honours the complexity of Mumbai. With three interactive performances inside and enduring exterior paintings, the Sassoon Dock Art Project has evolved into a hub for the arts as shown by a number of initiatives. Light-based artworks using cutting-edge media depicted the city and the water. The weekends featured a number of activities to keep everyone entertained, including talks, performances, and art walks.

10. Serendipity Arts Festival, December

SAF was started in 2016 by the chairman of Hero Enterprise, Sunil Kant Munjal. Indian media has written about the festival’s eclectic approach and its effects on “India’s art scene.” They create a range of artworks each year, both in public and private spaces that seem to give the city a brand-new look. Even lectures, culinary experiences, concerts, and plays are well-planned. This event has featured performances and concerts by musicians like Astad Deboo, Papon, and Riyas Khomu.

And that brings us to the conclusion

Art festivals are becoming well-appreciated occasions where anyone may take part, discover, and appreciate various artistic creations. They celebrate and honour both the art and the artists. Art festivals frequently feature a range of modern and traditional art forms, including dance, music, theatre, arts and crafts, as celebrations of the depth and diversity of culture and creativity. They provide a chance to revive and preserve historic practices while also frequently acting as a creative space for modern performers. 

From a cultural perspective, they provide a singular view of a community’s identity. Economically, they can produce considerable, long-term financial rewards as well as major commercial and job opportunities. Socially, they are a way to deepen international communication and promote deeper understanding through shared experience.

Follow @rooftop_app to stay tuned to more updates in the world of art. Rooftop takes you closer to traditional Indian art. Through the Rooftop app, we provide a platform for all the art lovers out in the world to know in-depth about the rich heritage of India.