Kalidas ka Kathaalok’ to Transform Purana Qila into a Living Landscape of Ancient India Time Travel 2000 Years back
New Delhi is set to witness a unique cultural experience as Kalidas ka Kathaalok, a two-day cultural festival, arrives at Purana Qila on 7th and 8th February 2026. Conceived as a journey into the intellectual and cultural world of ancient India, the festival invites audiences to experience stories and performances, not as relics of the past, but as living conversations that continue to resonate today.
Kathaalok draws inspiration from the era of Mahakavi Kalidas, one of India’s greatest literary figures, but extends beyond his works to explore the wider world of ancient India—its janapadas, trade routes, social structures, artistic expressions, and philosophical questions. Through theatre, music, spoken narratives, workshops, and immersive installations, the festival recreates the rhythms India 26CE!
Curated under the larger vision of Samay Yaan of Sashakt Samaj, Kathaalok aims to act as a bridge between ancient Indian thought and contemporary audiences, particularly the youth. The festival does not seek to glorify or judge the past, but to present it with honesty and openness—allowing audiences to listen, reflect, and decide for themselves what continues to inspire, what has evolved, and what belongs to its time.
Visitors can expect an immersive experience beginning at the gates of Purana Qila, with evocative visual installations, traditional crafts, and experiential zones showcasing practices such as attar-making, pottery, ancient scripts, and ancient Indian board games. These daytime encounters will flow into curated conversations with scholars, writers, and cultural thinkers, followed by evening performances that bring alive stories of love, loss, travel, seasons, power, and devotion from ancient India.
A special highlight of the festival is its focus on young voices and contemporary interpretations. College students, theatre enthusiasts, and emerging artists are encouraged to engage with ancient themes through modern forms—ensuring that the dialogue between past and present remains dynamic and evolving.
Entries Invited: Music Groups, Bands and Choirs are invited to participate, bring their songs on ancient India or folk/regional songs and get a chance to perform on Katha Lok’s grand stage through auditions. For terms and conditions interested participants can log on to www.samayyaan.com
The organisers are also looking for stories and plays that depict life in the year 26 CE, India. For sample concepts and themes, samay yaan’s website will help the interested. National School of Drama is curating these themes and is the theatre partner of the festival.
IGNCA is the academic partner for Kalidas ka Katha Lok, being the torch bearer of Indian knowledge and literature. Set against the historic backdrop of Purana Qila, Kalidas ka Kathaalok promises to be more than a festival—it is an invitation to slow down, listen deeply, and step into a shared cultural memory that continues to shape India’s imagination.
Kalidas ka Kathalok brings ancient India alive in Delhi
A unique cultural festival, Kalidas ka Kathalok, is set to reimagine the world of poet Kalidas through storytelling, theatre, music, visual arts, and immersive experiences. The event aims to reconnect younger audiences with classical Indian literature by presenting it in accessible, contemporary formats.
Festival uses art and performance to introduce Kalidas to Gen Z
Kalidas ka Kathalok blends classical texts with modern presentation styles, using performances, installations, and workshops to make ancient Indian literature relatable for today’s youth. The festival positions itself as a bridge between India’s literary past and its present generation.
Delhi Old Fort turns into a living canvas of ancient India
With curated pavilions, performances, and interactive spaces, Kalidas ka Kathalok transforms Old Fort into truly an ancient fort. The festival celebrates Kalidas not as history, but as a living cultural influence.
Written by : Bharti Dhingra, Co- Founder, Samay Yaan
