Designing Large-Scale Cultural Experiences
Bringing diverse voices together on one stage is about honoring traditions while creating space for new stories to emerge.
In this video, I speak about my role in the 62nd Bengaluru Ganesh Utsava, both as a performer and as a curator for an entire day of events. This year's festival was all about celebrating women artists.
A poster from the Bengaluru Ganesh Utsava, giving a special shoutout for my curation work. It was an absolute pleasure and honour to program a day filled with fantastic artists.
The poster for 'Rutu Gaana', one of the performances I curated for the Bengaluru Ganesh Utsava, celebrating seasons in Hindustani classical music.
A portrait of artist Bharati Pratap, who performed in the 'Rutu Gaana' segment of the festival I curated.
A portrait of artist Ankita Kundu, another talented performer from the 'Rutu Gaana' concert.
The event schedule for the 'Rutu Gaana' performance at the 62nd Bengaluru Ganesh Utsava.
The all-women ensemble of Yakshadurga Mahila Kalaa Balaga, whom I had the pleasure of programming for a Yakshagana Taala Maddale performance.
The event schedule for the Yakshagana Taala Maddale performance at the Bengaluru Ganesh Utsava.
The poster for 'Bhakti Hoovu', a performance of Abhangs by Sri Lakshmi Belmannu that was part of my curated lineup.
The event schedule for 'Jagada Jogathi', a vibrant performance by the respected Padmashri Manjamma Jogathi and her team.
About Curating Cultural Experiences
When I design a festival day, I do not just book acts and fill slots. I spend months researching the narrative arc, ensuring that the transition between a Hindustani vocal performance and a folk art form like Yakshagana feels intentional. It is about crafting a flow that keeps the audience engaged, not just entertained.
Designing a cultural event is essentially storytelling. Whether I am directing a performance at the Bengaluru Ganesh Utsava or orchestrating a concert for a museum, my approach remains the same: I look for threads that connect different performers, genres, and histories.
My process involves deep research into the historical and cultural context of the program. For instance, when I put together an entire day of performances, I balance classical traditions like Rutu Gaana with folk arts such as Yakshagana and contemporary poetry. I oversee everything from artist coordination and scriptwriting to final sound checks, ensuring that the technical aspects support the artistic vision.
I am particularly passionate about inclusive programming. Working with institutions like the Shristi Special Academy allows me to see the power of music firsthand. I believe festivals should be spaces where everyone feels represented—from legendary senior artists to young performers just finding their feet. If you are looking to build a festival program that is authentic, inclusive, and thoughtfully sequenced, I am happy to share how we can bring those ideas to life together.
Similar work from other experts
Browse through Curated picks from other experts on mytribe
Curating Cultural Festivals and Art Programs
Event Curation & Large-Scale Cultural Productions
Grand Stage and Cultural Performance Choreography
Large-Scale Thematic Dance Productions
Grand Stage & Cultural Festival Hosting
Featured Dance Productions and Event Projects
More from Music Composition & Direction by Pallavi MD
More services by Pallavi MD