An annual celebration of rivers & riverine culture of India

24-25-26 September, 2026

Venue: Indira Gandhi National Centre for the Arts

About Nadi Utsav

Protecting Rivers, Preserving Heritage, Sustaining Futures.

Nadi Utsav is an annual festival organised by the Indira Gandhi National Centre for the Arts (IGNCA), celebrating India’s rivers and riverine culture. The Utsav is a space where scholars, scientists, fieldworkers, policymakers, artists, and citizens converge, transforming the ecological calling into a collective commitment to our fluid heritage.

Organised By

Indira Gandhi National Centre for the Arts (IGNCA), Ministry of Culture, Government of India

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Why Rivers?

Protecting Rivers is Protecting Ourselves

Rivers do not just carry the waters—they channel life. We are known to the world by the very riverine civilisations that shaped us. The rivers are the addresses to our homelands, architects of our ethos, the arteries of our culture, and the pillars of our survival.

What We Do

At Nadi Utsav, Multiple Dimensions of Riverine Culture Come Alive:

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National Seminars & Lectures

Discussions on river heritage, ecology, and policies.

Cultural Performances

Dance, music, theatre, and traditional folk arts celebrating rivers.

Exhibitions & Art Workshops

Showcasing traditional crafts, paintings, photography, and children’s art around rivers.

Film & Documentary Screenings

Presenting cinematic journeys about rivers and their stories.

Community Engagement

School activities, storytelling, and interactive programmes for youth and local communities.