T.M. Krishna
| Photo Credit: JOTHI RAMALINGAM B
Kiran Nadar Museum of Art (KNMA) is back with its second edition of KNMA Festival, to be held at Sunder Nursery, New Delhi, from October 9 to 12. This year’s theme is Voices of Diversity. Author and vocalist T.M. Krishna turns a curator for this festival.
It opens with ‘Lavani Ke Rang’ and ‘Wild Wild Women’ and brings together the distinctive Manipuri folk-rock band — Imphal Talkies & The Howlers, Bollywood-inspired B Side Project by Anirudh Varma Collective and The Threshold by M.D. Pallavi and Bindhumalini — exploring freedom and belonging through the poetry of remarkable women.
The festival highlights also include ‘Prem Ras’, a collaboration between Prahlad Tipanya and Mukhtiyar Ali; a Carnatic baithak by Jayanthi Kumaresh; KNMA-commissioned Nannajja by Lakshmana K.P.; Kashmiri rock of Parvaaz; and a finale with Ankur Tewari and the Ghalat Family.
“Each year, we invite a well-known artiste to curate the festival with an intention to engage with pertinent contemporary conversations and themes through an array of artistic expressions by talented artistes from across the country. Last year, the KNMA Theatre Festival created a space where stories from across India addressed questions of identity, belonging and justice and explored how theatre can mirror and challenge society. Building on that spirit, the KNMA Music Festival turns to music as a lens for reflection with Krishna as curator. He has chosen a theme that resonates deeply with contemporary India, where debates around inclusion, freedom and cultural ownership are urgent and ongoing,” says Aditi Jaitly, senior curator, performing arts, KNMA.
Krishna says: “I have brought together musicians from diverse cultural and geographical locations, who believe in the role of an artiste in making their art transcendental. Through their music, they make us reimagine our lives and relationships with one another. This experience of working with KNMA was truly beautiful because it was clear to me right from the outset that our perspective on art and its role in society was synchronous. The collaboration also highlights my belief that art needs to surprise the musician just as much as it surprises the audience. Only then is it true!”
Sunder Nursery is an open-air, family-friendly space, and the festival offers an accessible ambience for all age groups to explore and celebrate India’s rich and diverse musical heritage. Tickets start at ₹199. For details visit knma.in
Published – October 08, 2025 04:32 pm IST
