Rarely does one have a chance to be part of a concert where a sizeable proportion of the audience is up on stage dancing and singing along with the performer.

Gone are the days when people from small towns flocked to the big cities to catch a glimpse of their idols. Cultural festivals, which showcase the rich heritage of India, are now being held in tier two cities like Pune, Jodhpur, Thiruvananthapuram and Pondicherry. And they are being held on a mega scale, attracting a large audience, and inviting the performances of the best of artistes.

The rapturous movement of the violins, the soft sensuous tunes of the clarinet, and the twirling patterns of the cello will enthral the audience in the upcoming Arties Festival at the National Centre for the Performing Arts (NCPA) from March 9 to 11. Since its inception in 2008, Arties Festival takes place every March and has matured into a platform for upcoming western classical musicians.

Geet Govind, the love song of Lord Krishna and Radha, by Jayadeva has enchanted the cultural enthusiasts over the years.

Begum Parveen Sultana is a name to reckon with in the field of Hindustani classical music.

That sensuous twirl of the foot or the casual swinging of hands, have enthralled the audiences over the years in the form of folk dances which are known to have every element of entertainment along with some pulsating folk music. Folk dances of Maharashtra, which are known to reflect the societal values and traditions, can be dated

They say every moment of their dance is spiritual. Every essence of their step, twirl, leap and jump has a story to tell.

The recently concluded Attakalari Biennial, a contemporary dance festival showcasing the best of contemporary dance works not just in India, but also worldwide, sent a strong message about the dynamic development of contemporary dance in India.

Some of the first thoughts that strike you about Ningyo, are its beautiful and dark imageries with spectacular use of lights and stage elements.

We don’t play music to the audience, we play it with them,” says the lead vocalist of Foreigner, Kelly Hansen.