Chowdiah Utsava 2026 – Sri K.K. Murthy Memorial Music Festival
About the Event

Celebrate the rich traditions of Indian music and fine arts at Chowdiah Utsava – Sri K.K. Murthy Memorial Music Festival 2026, presented by the Academy of Music.

The Academy of Music, one of India's prominent cultural organisations, has completed 65 years of dedicated service towards the promotion of Carnatic music, Hindustani music, dance and other fine arts.

Marking this significant milestone, the Academy of Music presents a spectacular five-day musical festival from 11 to 15 November 2026, bringing together renowned artists and diverse musical traditions for an enriching celebration of Indian music.

The festival will feature a series of musical performances across all five days, showcasing accomplished artists from India and presenting an engaging blend of classical and contemporary musical expression.

A major highlight of the festival will be the presentation of the Academy of Music Chowdiah Award, scheduled for 15 November 2026 at 5:30 PM.

The 2026 edition promises an opportunity for music lovers to experience exceptional performances while celebrating the Academy of Music's long-standing contribution to India's cultural landscape.

Five days. Renowned artists. Timeless music. A celebration of 65 years of the Academy of Music.

Academy of Music – 65 Years of Cultural Service

The Academy of Music has completed 65 years of service dedicated to promoting music and the fine arts.

Over the decades, the organisation has supported and presented different forms of Indian artistic expression, with a particular focus on Carnatic and Hindustani music, along with dance and other fine arts.

The 65-year milestone adds special significance to the 2026 edition of Chowdiah Utsava.

The festival provides a platform for artists and audiences to come together in celebration of India's rich musical traditions.

Chowdiah Utsava 2026

Chowdiah Utsava – Sri K.K. Murthy Memorial Music Festival 2026 is scheduled across five days, from 11 November to 15 November 2026.

The festival is designed as a series of musical performances featuring renowned artists from across India.

Rather than focusing on a single performance or musical style, the five-day programme provides an opportunity to experience different artists and musical instruments within the broader setting of Indian music and cultural performance.

Each day contributes to the larger festival experience, creating a multi-day celebration for audiences who appreciate live music and the performing arts.

Sri K.K. Murthy Memorial Music Festival

The festival carries the name Sri K.K. Murthy Memorial Music Festival, forming part of the Academy of Music's annual cultural presentation.

The memorial festival celebrates music through live performances and brings artists together for a programme centred around musical excellence and cultural appreciation.

The 2026 edition is particularly significant as it coincides with the Academy of Music completing 65 years of service.

Five Days of Musical Performances

The festival will take place over five consecutive days:

11 November 2026
12 November 2026
13 November 2026
14 November 2026
15 November 2026

Across these five days, audiences can experience musical performances by renowned artists of India.

The supplied event information does not provide a day-wise artist schedule, so individual artists have not been assigned to specific festival dates.

Guests should refer to the latest official event schedule for performance timings and day-wise programme details.

Featured Artists

The 2026 festival features an ensemble of accomplished musicians representing different instruments and musical traditions.

The supplied artist lineup includes:

Sri Rahul Sharma – Santoor

Sri Rahul Sharma will perform on the Santoor.

The Santoor is a traditional Indian string instrument known for its distinctive resonant sound and association with Hindustani music.

Rahul Sharma's presence adds a prominent instrumental dimension to the festival.

Aditya Kalyanpur – Tabla

Aditya Kalyanpur will perform on the Tabla.

The Tabla is one of India's most recognisable percussion instruments and plays an important role in classical Indian music.

His performance contributes to the rhythmic character of the festival.

Vinayak Pol – Drums

Vinayak Pol is featured on Drums.

The inclusion of drums brings another rhythmic and percussive element to the musical programme.

His performance forms part of the festival's diverse instrumental lineup.

Manas Chowdhary – Bass Guitar

Manas Chowdhary will perform on Bass Guitar.

The inclusion of bass guitar adds a contemporary instrumental element to the festival's broader musical presentation.

Together with the other musicians, the bass contributes depth and rhythmic structure to the ensemble.

Asin Khan & Group – Manganiyar Vocal

Asin Khan & Group (Manganiyar) will present Manganiyar vocal music.

The Manganiyar musical tradition is associated with Rajasthan's rich folk and hereditary musical culture.

Their participation adds another distinctive cultural and vocal dimension to the festival programme.

A Diverse Musical Lineup

One of the notable aspects of the 2026 festival is the diversity of the featured artists and instruments.

The lineup brings together:

Santoor
Tabla
Drums
Bass Guitar
Manganiyar vocals

This creates a programme that can move across different musical textures, rhythmic approaches and performance traditions.

The combination also reflects the broader objective of presenting Indian music and artistic expression in varied forms.

The Academy of Music Chowdiah Award

A major highlight of Chowdiah Utsava 2026 will be the presentation of the Academy of Music Chowdiah Award.

The award ceremony is scheduled for:

Date: 15 November 2026
Time: 5:30 PM

The Chowdiah Award forms an important part of the festival's celebration of musical and artistic achievement.

Guests attending the final day of the festival will therefore have the opportunity to be part of both the musical programme and this significant award presentation.

A Celebration of Indian Music

The festival celebrates the breadth of Indian musical traditions through a combination of classical, folk and contemporary instrumental elements.

Carnatic and Hindustani music have been central to the Academy of Music's cultural work for decades, and Chowdiah Utsava continues that commitment through a live festival format.

The inclusion of artists from different musical backgrounds allows audiences to experience contrasting sounds while remaining connected to India's larger musical heritage.

Music Across Traditions

Indian music encompasses numerous traditions, instruments, performance styles and cultural histories.

The 2026 Chowdiah Utsava programme brings together artists representing different aspects of that musical landscape.

From the resonant sound of the Santoor and intricate rhythms of the Tabla to drums, bass guitar and Manganiyar vocals, the festival offers a varied sonic experience.

This diversity gives the five-day event a broad appeal for audiences interested in exploring different forms of live music.

A Festival for Music Lovers

Chowdiah Utsava is an opportunity for music enthusiasts to experience live performances by established artists in a dedicated festival environment.

It can appeal to audiences who enjoy:

Carnatic music
Hindustani music
Indian classical music
Indian folk traditions
Instrumental music
Percussion
Vocal performances
Cultural festivals
Live music
Indian fine arts

The festival also offers an opportunity for audiences to discover musical traditions and instruments they may not encounter in their everyday listening.

Experience Live Instrumental Music

The presence of Santoor, Tabla, drums and bass guitar gives the festival a strong instrumental component.

Live instrumental performance allows audiences to experience the tone, rhythm and interaction between musicians directly.

Each instrument brings its own character to the overall programme, creating opportunities for varied musical textures throughout the festival.

Manganiyar Musical Tradition

The participation of Asin Khan & Group (Manganiyar) introduces the audience to the Manganiyar vocal tradition.

Manganiyar music is an important part of Rajasthan's cultural heritage, and its inclusion broadens the festival beyond a single classical format.

The performance adds a distinctive vocal and folk dimension to the programme.

A Five-Day Cultural Experience

Unlike a single-evening concert, Chowdiah Utsava 2026 unfolds over five days.

This allows the festival to create a broader cultural experience, with audiences having multiple opportunities to attend performances and explore different aspects of the programme.

The five-day format also reflects the scale of the Academy of Music's 65-year milestone celebration.

Festival Schedule

The festival runs from:

11 November 2026 to 15 November 2026

The Academy of Music Chowdiah Award will be presented on:

15 November 2026 at 5:30 PM

The supplied information does not provide the individual performance timings for each artist or a complete day-wise schedule.

Guests should check the latest event listing for the detailed programme before attending.

Event Highlights
Chowdiah Utsava – Sri K.K. Murthy Memorial Music Festival 2026
Academy of Music's 65th year of service
Five-day festival from 11 to 15 November 2026
Musical performances by renowned artists of India
Carnatic and Hindustani musical traditions
Sri Rahul Sharma on Santoor
Aditya Kalyanpur on Tabla
Vinayak Pol on Drums
Manas Chowdhary on Bass Guitar
Asin Khan & Group presenting Manganiyar vocals
Academy of Music Chowdiah Award
Award presentation on 15 November 2026 at 5:30 PM
Celebration of Indian music and fine arts
Why Attend Chowdiah Utsava 2026?
Celebrate 65 Years of the Academy of Music

Join the Academy of Music as it marks 65 years of cultural service dedicated to music, dance and fine arts.

Experience Renowned Indian Artists

The festival brings together an impressive lineup of musicians and performers from India.

Explore Different Musical Traditions

Experience a programme that includes classical, folk and contemporary instrumental elements.

Enjoy Live Instrumental Performances

Hear the Santoor, Tabla, drums and bass guitar in a live festival setting.

Discover Manganiyar Music

Experience the distinctive vocal tradition presented by Asin Khan & Group.

Attend the Chowdiah Award Presentation

Be part of the Academy of Music Chowdiah Award presentation on 15 November at 5:30 PM.

Enjoy a Five-Day Festival

The multi-day format provides a broader opportunity to experience the festival's musical programme.

Important Event Details

Event: Chowdiah Utsava – Sri K.K. Murthy Memorial Music Festival 2026

Organiser: Academy of Music

Occasion: 65 years of the Academy of Music

Festival Dates: 11–15 November 2026

Chowdiah Award: 15 November 2026 at 5:30 PM

Age Limit: 8+ years

Featured Artists: Sri Rahul Sharma, Aditya Kalyanpur, Vinayak Pol, Manas Chowdhary, Asin Khan & Group

Instruments/Performance: Santoor, Tabla, Drums, Bass Guitar and Manganiyar Vocal

Venue: Not supplied

Ticket Price: Not supplied

Day-Wise Schedule: Not supplied

Guests should refer to the latest official event listing for venue, ticket pricing, individual performance timings and the detailed festival schedule.

Age Limit

The event has an age limit of 8+ years.

Attendees should ensure that all members of their group meet the specified age requirement before booking tickets.

Entry remains subject to the organiser's admission and venue policies.

Entry and Security Guidelines

By accepting, holding or using a ticket, attendees acknowledge that they have read, understood, accepted and agreed to the full terms and conditions.

The organiser reserves the right of admission.

The organiser may alter the event schedule without prior intimation.

Entry will be permitted only after a thorough security check and through specified entrances.

Re-entry is not permitted.

Prohibited Items and Security Checks

The venue does not permit the following inside the venue or seating area:

Eatables
Drinks
Liquids
Bottles
Cans
Tins
Bags
Lighters
Matchboxes
Flammable items
Illegal substances
Hazardous substances

These are classified as Prohibited Items under the supplied event terms.

Ticket holders' belongings will be searched at entry.

If a ticket holder does not consent to the required search and/or is found carrying Prohibited Items, they may be denied entry without refund or other compensation.

Guests are requested to cooperate with security personnel and follow all applicable entry procedures.

Drug-Free Event

This is a drug-free event.

Any ticket holder found using, procuring, possessing, supplying and/or consuming drugs, narcotics or psychotropic substances as defined under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act, 1985, may be immediately evicted from the venue without refund or compensation.

The organiser also reserves the right to initiate all available proceedings and actions permitted under applicable law.

Admission and Behaviour Policy

The organiser reserves the right to refuse admission or eject a ticket holder who:

Appears intoxicated
Is under the influence of drugs
Behaves dangerously or inappropriately
Engages in behaviour likely to harass persons
Causes or is likely to cause damage, injury or nuisance

The organiser's decision in this regard shall be final.

Guests are requested to cooperate with the organiser and venue management throughout the event.

Photography and Recording Policy

The use of audio and/or video equipment, including still cameras and any recording equipment, is strictly prohibited.

Attendees should comply with the applicable event and venue restrictions concerning photography and recording.

Ticket and Refund Policy

The ticket is issued according to the rules and regulations of the event organiser and venue management.

Except as specifically stated, the ticket is non-refundable and cannot be exchanged, cancelled or returned once purchased.

If the organiser cancels the performance, the ticket fee will be refunded.

Other charges associated with the performance, including:

Parking fees
Per-ticket internet handling fees
Per-order processing fees

remain non-refundable.

The organiser and venue shall not be liable for difficulties caused by an unauthorised copy or reproduction of the ticket.

The ticket is not valid for entry if its security features have been tampered with.

Alcohol Regulations

In accordance with applicable law, visitors below the legally permissible age are not permitted to purchase or sample alcoholic drinks.

Guests must comply with all applicable legal and venue requirements concerning alcohol.

Personal Safety and Property

The organiser does not accept responsibility for injury caused to persons or for any loss or damage to personal property brought to the event.

Attendees should take reasonable care of their belongings and follow all applicable safety and venue instructions.

Communicable Disease Risk

Attendees agree to assume all risks, hazards and dangers arising from or relating to the risk of contracting COVID-19, H1N1 and/or its variants, or any other communicable disease or illness, including illnesses caused by bacteria, viruses or other pathogens.

This applies whether such illness occurs before, during or after the event, however caused or contracted.

Under the supplied terms, attendees voluntarily waive all claims and potential claims against the organiser arising from such risks.

Force Majeure and Event Changes

The event is subject to force majeure conditions.

The organiser may alter the event schedule without prior intimation.

These terms and conditions may also be changed from time to time at the discretion of the organiser.

Any secondary performances, if applicable, and the lineup are subject to the artist's discretion.

Attendees are requested to provide their co-operation at all times.

Privacy and Information Collection

To maintain a high-quality user experience, the organiser may collect certain information during booking, registration or payment.

This may include personally identifiable information such as:

Name
Email address
Telephone number

Such information is collected in accordance with the applicable Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy.

Jurisdiction

Any dispute or claim relating to the event shall be subject to the exclusive jurisdiction of the courts at Mumbai, as specified in the supplied terms.

Experience Chowdiah Utsava 2026

Chowdiah Utsava – Sri K.K. Murthy Memorial Music Festival 2026 marks an important milestone for the Academy of Music, which celebrates 65 years of service dedicated to music, dance and the fine arts.

From 11 to 15 November 2026, audiences can experience a spectacular series of musical performances featuring renowned artists of India.

The featured lineup includes Sri Rahul Sharma on Santoor, Aditya Kalyanpur on Tabla, Vinayak Pol on Drums, Manas Chowdhary on Bass Guitar, and Asin Khan & Group presenting Manganiyar vocals.

The festival will culminate in the presentation of the Academy of Music Chowdiah Award on 15 November 2026 at 5:30 PM.

With its combination of diverse musical traditions, accomplished performers and a significant institutional milestone, Chowdiah Utsava 2026 offers music lovers an opportunity to celebrate India's rich musical heritage.

The supplied information does not specify the venue, ticket price or detailed day-wise performance schedule, so guests should check the latest official listing before attending.

Five days of music. 65 years of cultural legacy. One celebration of India's extraordinary musical traditions.

Experience Chowdiah Utsava 2026.