Holy Days

What Do Raas Leela performers have in common with a Sufi group from Syria? The same that native Americans have in common with Africans.

Indias first sacred arts festival is set to prove that religion is a great unifier

What Do Raas Leela performers have in common with a Sufi group from Syria? The same that native Americans have in common with Africans. Their sacred dances are held in a circle, says Preminder Singh of The Attic,a Delhi-based arts organisation.

Even as religion acquires a divisive characteristic across the world,Indias first International Festival of Sacred Arts,being organised by The Attic in February,is set to showcase music,dances and art of religions from across the world. Sacred art often begins where religion ends,so that the final effect is spiritual upliftment rather than a fanatic zeal, adds Singh.

On most days,the festival will superimpose an Indian art form with an international one. While Indian faith will be represented by Baul singers from Bengal,Raas Leela dancers from Manipur,Bharatanatyam dancer Rama Vaidyanathan,Hindustani classical performers like Madhup Mudgal and a group of Buddhist nuns from Ladakh,the international contingent comprises,among others,throat singers from Tuva in Central Asia and a gospel singer from the US,who wants to use her India visit to also explore the traditions of the Hare Krishna movement.

From the heart of Burkina Faso in Africa,come 10 Djembe drummers who bring with them sounds from the 13th Century Mandingue Empire, says Olivier Tarpaga,artistic director of the Dafra Drum Ensemble. These drummers represent the griot tradition a means of transmitting messages peacefully. The name Djembe translates into gathering people in peace. Our drums are still used for celebration and healing.

Singh,however,is keen on the Al-Kindi Ensemble,a Sufi trance group from Aleppo in Syria,and a folk choir called Cosmic Voices from Bulgaria. The former is unlike the Sufi performers from India in their kind of music as well as the plethora of mid-eastern instruments, he explains. Cosmic Voices fits in the Delhi sojourn between visits to festivals across Europe. Admitting that they are delighted to be in India,Kiril Zdravkov of the group says they want to take the sound of the Balkans far and wide. The 18 female singers in the choir are chosen carefully from across Bulgaria, says Zdravkov. The groups visit is significant in the light of Bulgarias chequered religious history from orthodox Christianity to Islam to communism in the 20th century.

The main performances will be preceded by chanting from Buddhist,Christian,Jeweish and Hindu traditions,as well the drawing of a sand mandala by Tibetan monks. While the festival will be a powerful symbol of unity,the ultimate example of assimilation would be the Yogadance theater contemporary dance piece by Soraya Franco of Asanarte. She will be accompanied by a troupe comprising performers from the Dominican Republic,Croatia,Costa Rica,Honduras and India. Yoga knows no religion and our piece uses yoga moves with classical Indian dances to create a holistic experience, says Franco.

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The festival will be held from February 14-25 at various venues across the city. Contact: 23746050

Dipanita Nath

Dipanita Nath is a Senior Assistant Editor at The Indian Express, based in Pune. She is a versatile journalist with a deep interest in the intersection of culture, sustainability, and urban life. Professional Background Experience: Before joining The Indian Express, she worked with other major news organizations including Hindustan Times, The Times of India, and Mint. Core Specializations: She is widely recognized for her coverage of the climate crisis, theatre and performing arts, heritage conservation, and the startup ecosystem (often through her "Pune Inc" series). Storytelling Focus: Her work often unearths "hidden stories" of Pune—focusing on historical institutes, local traditions, and the personal journeys of social innovators. Recent Notable Articles (December 2025) Her recent reporting highlights Pune’s cultural pulse and the environmental challenges facing the city during the winter season: 1. Climate & Environment "Pune shivers on coldest morning of the season; minimum temperature plunges to 6.9°C" (Dec 20, 2025): Reporting on the record-breaking cold wave in Pune and the IMD's forecast for the week. "How a heritage tree-mapping event at Ganeshkhind Garden highlights rising interest in Pune’s green legacy" (Dec 20, 2025): Covering a citizen-led initiative where Gen Z and millennials gathered to document and protect ancient trees at a Biodiversity Heritage Site. "Right to breathe: Landmark NGT order directs PMC to frame norms for pollution from construction sites" (Dec 8, 2025): Reporting on a significant legal victory for residents fighting dust and air pollution in urban neighborhoods like Baner. 2. "Hidden Stories" & Heritage "Inside Pune library that’s nourished minds of entrepreneurs for 17 years" (Dec 21, 2025): A feature on the Venture Center Library, detailing how a collection of 3,500 specialized books helps tech startups navigate the product life cycle. "Before he died, Ram Sutar gave Pune a lasting gift" (Dec 18, 2025): A tribute to the legendary sculptor Ram Sutar (creator of the Statue of Unity), focusing on his local works like the Chhatrapati Shivaji statue at Pune airport. "The Pune institute where MA Jinnah was once chief guest" (Dec 6, 2025): An archival exploration of the College of Agriculture, established in 1907, and its historical role in India's freedom struggle. 3. Arts, Theatre & "Pune Inc" "Satyajit Ray, Ritwik Ghatak were not rivals but close friends, says veteran filmmaker" (Dec 17, 2025): A deep-dive interview ahead of the Pune International Film Festival (PIFF) exploring the camaraderie between legends of Indian cinema. "Meet the Pune entrepreneur helping women build and scale businesses" (Dec 16, 2025): Part of her "Pune Inc" series, profiling Nikita Vora’s efforts to empower female-led startups. "How women drone pilots in rural Maharashtra are cultivating a green habit" (Dec 12, 2025): Exploring how technology is being used by women in agriculture to reduce chemical use and labor. Signature Style Dipanita Nath is known for intellectual curiosity and a narrative-driven approach. Whether she is writing about a 110-year-old eatery or the intricacies of the climate crisis, she focuses on the human element and the historical context. Her columns are often a blend of reportage and cultural commentary, making them a staple for readers interested in the "soul" of Pune. X (Twitter): @dipanitanath ... Read More

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Holy Days

What Do Raas Leela performers have in common with a Sufi group from Syria? The same that native Americans have in common with Africans.

What Do Raas Leela performers have in common with a Sufi group from Syria? The same that native Americans have in common with Africans.