We’d like to begin this feature with a PSA: 2016 is two months old already. While you have that epiphany, we’ll try to soften the blow because, well, we at Engrave are rather solicitous. As February bids adieu and March beckons, there’s a lot to look forward to in the coming month. If you’re big on culture, music, arts, or dance, here’s a neat list of thirteen of the best festivals to attend this mirthful March.
1. Kasauli Rhythm & Blues Festival
Conceived in 2012 by the Genesis Foundation, the Kasauli R&B Festival is one of the most popular R&B festivals of India. As if a stellar line-up and the stunning beauty of Himachal Pradesh wasn't enough, the proceeds from the events get donated to charity. Do you really need any more convincing?
Where: Kasauli, Himachal Pradesh
When: 25th to 27th March
2. World Cultural Festival
When over 3.5 million people from over 155 countries are expected to attend an event, you be sure as hell that it’s a big deal. Organised by The Art of Living foundation, the festival aims to acknowledge the diversity of cultures from across the world while also celebrating our unity as the human race.
Where: New Delhi
When: 11th to 13th March
3. The Coalition
Aptly dubbed the ‘Festival of Creativity’, there are over 300 big names including the guys from AIB, Anurag Kashyap, and Raghu Dixit lined-up to speak at The Coalition. They aim to answer a hoard of questions about the media and the creative field in the India — so head over for some valuable inputs and a quality weekend.
Where: Delhi
When: 4th to 6th March
4. Delhi International Jazz Festival
The 6th annual Delhi International Jazz Festival is all set to be held in the latter part of the month. The response has been overwhelming over the past five years, and if you’re a lover of Jazz, there’s no better place to be!
Where: Delhi
When: 25th to 27th March
5. The International Yoga Festival
An ancient Indian science that is known to benefit the body, mind, and soul, Yoga has been a massive hit around the globe. With the following increasing by the day, the International Yoga Festival has been a roaring success over the past few years. If you’re willing to get your Baba Ramdev on, head over to Rishikesh in early March, for this year promises to be bigger and better than ever.
Where: Rishikesh
When: 1st to 7th March
6. Artie’s Festival
Experimental theatre hasn’t been fully explored in India yet, but when some of the best musical talents from Europe perform in your country, you’ve got to sit up and take notice. With an array of outstanding artists at its disposal, the 17th edition of Artie’s Festival is set to be a riveting joyful ride that you simply cannot afford to miss.
Where: Pune and Mumbai
When: 8th and 9th March in Pune, 11th to 13th March in Mumbai
7. Holi Phototrail in Mathura
While this isn’t a festival in itself, the Holi Phototrail is a spectacular way to witness the pure, raw celebrations of the festival of Holi in Mathura. Let the shutterbug in you capture the vivid scenes of the age-old traditions of the village which, quite frankly, promises to be an experience of a lifetime.
Where: Mathura
When: 22nd to 25th March
8. Dhrupad Mela
This one’s personally recommended by various staff members at the Engrave HQ who have had the opportunity to attend the event in the past. From the horse’s mouth, the five-day musical gala is simply “magical” where you can enjoy artists playing the best of classical music -- sometimes, till dawn!
Where: Varanasi
When: 28th February to 5th March
9. Urban Lens Film Festival
In its third year, the Urban Lens Film Festival is all about the nonfiction movies that ‘seek to interrogate what the urban produces’. Held in both Bangalore and Delhi, the festival is set to feature some fascinating movies from both India and abroad.
Where: Bangalore and Delhi
When: 4th to 6th March in Bangalore, 18th to 20th March in Delhi
10. BNHS Flamingo Festival
If you’re an admirer of nature, there’s no better place to be this month than the Flamingo festival in Mumbai. With over 15,000 flamingoes expected to flock to Sewri, the annual event is attended by many to admire the gorgeous birds. Apart from the sea of pink, there are various other migratory birds one can observe and also participate in the events organised for your pleasure.
Where: Mumbai
When: 5th March
11. Lil Flea
The 7th edition of the Lil Flea is all set to take place in Mumbai this mid-March. The aim of the festival is to bring the artists and start-ups on one platform in a bid to showcase, encourage, and promote creativity and flair.
Where: Mumbai
When: 11th to 13th March
12. Sunday Soul Sante
If you’re in Bangalore, you MUST mark your calendar and keep yourself free on the 13th. Sunday Soul Sante is an unmissable event that celebrates music, culture, art, crafts, and most importantly, food!
Where: Bangalore
When: 13th March
13. The Traditional Festivals
Apart from the ones we’ve mentioned, there are few more that might pique the interests of the traditionalists. There’s Uthralikavu Pooram (1st March, Kerala), Chapchar Kut (4th March, Mizoram), Paripally Gajamela (6th March, Kerala), Thirunakkara Arattu (14th to 23rd March, Kerala), Myoko (20th to 30th March, Arunachal Pradesh), Arattupuzha Pooram (22nd March, Kerala), and of course, the colourful festival of Holi, which will be celebrated all over India.
In addition to that, there’s the ongoing Ballard Estate Festival as well as the Stage Forty Twoo music and standup shows, the details of which can be found at Insider.in. Know of any festivals we might have missed out on? Do comment and let us know!