Mumbai : The Indian Performing Right Society Ltd. (IPRS) returns to the Kala Ghoda Arts Festival (KGAF) 2026 with the IPRS Stage, reinforcing its role as a cultural catalyst within one of India’s most respected multidisciplinary festivals. Beyond performance, the IPRS Stage represents a deliberate effort to create sustained opportunities for original, folk, and regional music to be experienced, understood, and appreciated by diverse audiences.
At festivals like KGAF, where art, literature, design, and performance intersect, IPRS Stage plays a critical role in placing music within a larger cultural conversation. It creates visibility for music communities that often remain underrepresented in mainstream spaces, while offering audiences access to sounds, stories, and identities that reflect India’s vast cultural landscape. For artists, the stage provides credibility, reach, and connection; for audiences, it becomes a gateway to discovery and deeper cultural engagement.
The importance of initiatives like the IPRS Stage lies in their ability to bridge gaps between generations, regions, and musical traditions. By presenting original and tradition rooted music in a contemporary festival environment, IPRS ensures that these art forms are not confined to niche audiences but are introduced to listeners who may be encountering them for the first time. This exposure not only broadens artistic reach but also fosters curiosity, respect, and long term appreciation.
The IPRS Stage at KGAF 2026 features two distinct performances that reflect this vision. On 1st February 2026, Goa based band Black Sapphire brings regional language music to a national cultural platform, demonstrating how local voices can resonate widely when given the right space. On 6th February 2026, Abhijit Pohankar’s Global Varkari Project represents the continuity of folk and devotional traditions within modern artistic frameworks showcasing how heritage can remain relevant without losing its essence.
Speaking about the importance of such platforms, Alison Gonsalves, Lead Singer and Songwriter, Black Sapphire, said: “Original music is deeply personal, especially when it comes from a regional language and lived culture. Platforms like the IPRS Stage at Kala Ghoda validate our work and help audiences connect more deeply with the stories and identities behind the music.”
Maestro Abhijit Pohankar, classical pianist, fusion music producer, and conceiver of the ‘Global Varkari Project,’ shared: “The Varkari music tradition belongs to an ancient Marathi devotional sect rooted in the Bhakti movement. It emphasizes love for God over rituals and promotes social equality and righteousness through musical forms such as Abhang and Kirtan. Through the Global Varkari Project, we will be presenting this ancient Varkari music with a modern sound. Platforms like the IPRS Stage play an important role in ensuring that folk and traditional music continue to be seen, heard, and experienced with dignity, relevance, and respect in today’s world.”
In an increasingly AI driven world where algorithms often shape what people hear, the role of curated cultural platforms becomes even more vital. The IPRS Stage introduces audiences to music genres and the communities that represent them, offering context, authenticity, and human connection that technology alone cannot provide. It creates space for discovery beyond digital patterns, opening opportunities for collaboration, dialogue, and cross cultural exchange.
By building direct engagement between artists and listeners, the IPRS Stage strengthens discoverability and encourages pride in India’s diverse musical heritage. It reminds audiences that music is not just content, but culture rooted in people, regions, and lived experiences.
Speaking on IPRS’s vision, Mr. Rakesh Nigam, CEO, IPRS, said: “Platforms like the IPRS Stage are essential to sustaining India’s musical diversity. By partnering with festivals such as the Kala Ghoda Arts Festival, we are creating spaces where artists can be discovered and audiences can engage meaningfully with the cultural roots of our music.”
Brinda Miller – Hon. Festival Director Kala Ghoda Arts Festival said –
“Kala Ghoda Arts Festival has always been anchored in artistic integrity and the coming together of cultural diversity in the public sphere. The festival remains committed to creating open and accessible spaces were art, in all its forms, can be experienced thoughtfully by audiences from varied backgrounds. The IPRS Stage at KGAF furthers this vision by spotlighting original, regional, and tradition-rooted music within a shared cultural setting. It invites audiences to engage with music not merely as background entertainment, but as a reflection of identity, history, and creative purpose. Our association with the IPRS Stage reinforces the role of festivals like KGAF as spaces for discovery, dialogue, and meaningful engagement with India’s evolving cultural landscape. Through such collaborations, festivals move beyond mere presentation to actively support the preservation, visibility, and future relevance of the country’s diverse creative traditions.”
As Kala Ghoda Arts Festival continues to be a meeting point for India’s creative communities, the IPRS Stage stands as a model for how cultural institutions can support artists, educate audiences, and ensure that India’s musical legacy is experienced, valued, and carried forward into the future.
