Aalekh Foundation Presents Anant Samagam – Edition 2: A Three-Day Cultural Extravaganza Uniting Rajasthan, West Bengal & Assam
New Delhi: Following the success of its inaugural edition in 2024, Aalekh Foundation presents Anant Samagam – Edition 2, its flagship cultural festival, to be held from 30th January to 1st February 2026 at Travancore Palace, New Delhi.
Envisioned as a landmark East–West cultural confluence, Anant Samagam – Edition Two brings together the rich traditions of Rajasthan, West Bengal, and Assam. Building on Edition One (Kerala × North East), this edition explores the historical, artistic, and philosophical connections between India’s desert, delta, and riverine cultures.
Designed as an immersive, multidisciplinary experience, the three-day festival features a curated showcase of music, visual arts, handloom and craft, fashion, food, and cultural dialogues, positioning heritage as a living and evolving practice.
Highlights include handloom and craft showcases featuring Bandhani, Jamdani, and Muga silk, a curated fashion presentation by designers such as Pallavi Jaipur, Jahnabi Phookan, Sonam Dubal, and Bappaditya Biswas, regional culinary experiences, and evening music performances by artists including Kutle Khan, Fakira Band, Sunita Bhuyan, and the Zuher Kollective.
The visual art exhibition, presented in collaboration with Sameksha Art Gallery and curated by Yamini Telkar, brings together contemporary artists engaging with memory, material culture, and regional identity.
Alongside performances and exhibitions, panel discussions and cultural conversations will foster critical dialogue around cultural continuity and contemporary interpretations of heritage.
“Anant Samagam was conceived as a platform where India’s cultures engage in meaningful conversation rather than exist in isolation. After the quiet, introspective dialogue between Kerala and the North East in our first edition, Edition 2 brings together Rajasthan, Bengal, and Assam—regions deeply connected through trade, textiles, music, and spiritual thought. Alongside performances and exhibitions, the inclusion of panel discussions allows us to reflect, question, and contextualise culture in today’s world.” — Dr. Rennie Joyy, Founder, Aalekh Foundation
At Aalekh, our focus is on identifying and supporting emerging artists who are already grounded in serious practice and ready to step into larger cultural conversations. Through Anant Samagam, we are creating a platform where this next generation of artists engages with institutions, galleries, and audiences in a meaningful way. As Art Director and a participating artist, my role has been to shape this bridge—between intent and execution, tradition and contemporary expression, and emerging talent and the wider art ecosystem.” — Divyaman Singh, Art Director, Aalekh Foundation
Anant Samagam stands as a celebration of India’s diverse artistic voices and Aalekh Foundation’s ongoing commitment to nurturing emerging artists and cultural exchange.
The preview of Anant Samagam – Edition 2 will take place on 30th January 2026, followed by the public opening on 31st January and 1st February 2026, from 11:00 am to 10:00 pm.
