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Bhaav 2025
Bhaav 2025: A Historic Celebration of India’s Artistic Heritage
Bhaav 2025, an extraordinary cultural summit, captivated audiences over three awe-inspiring days at the serene Art of Living International Center. More than just an art conference, it was a historic gathering that united 600 artists, cultural icons, and emerging talents with a shared mission—to honor, preserve, and revitalize India’s classical and folk art traditions.
From the sacred rhythms of Kerala’s Theyyam to the mesmerizing Yakshagana performance by the legendary Bananjje Suvarna, Bhaav 2025 showcased the rich diversity of India’s artistic tapestry. The summit featured remarkable performances, including Maach theater—traditionally performed by men but now embracing inclusivity with women artists—and Anuradha Pal’s electrifying Tabla Jugalbandi, a heartfelt tribute to her guru, Ustad Zakir Hussain.
Srividya Varchaswi, Director of the World Forum for Art and Culture (WFAC), beautifully encapsulated the essence of the summit, stating, “Artists, who dedicate their energy and passion to spreading joy, also need moments to recharge.” Bhaav 2025 served as that sacred space, allowing artists to rejuvenate, reconnect, and find balance in their creative journeys.
Bhaav 2024
Bhaav 2024: A Grand Celebration of Indian Performing and Fine Arts
Organized by the World Forum for Art & Culture (WFAC), Bhaav 2024 was a magnificent festival dedicated to Indian Performing and Fine Arts. As the cultural wing of The Art of Living, WFAC brought together performers, artists, art patrons, and enthusiasts for the second edition of India’s largest performing arts festival and conference—Bhaav – The Expressions Summit. The event took place on January 26th, 27th, and 28th, 2024, at The Art of Living International Centre, Bengaluru.
Over three glorious days, attendees experienced mesmerizing performances, intimate and informal concerts, in-depth lecture demonstrations, and engaging panel discussions with renowned Indian artists. The festival also featured fun and therapeutic learning experiences, creating a unique space for artistic exploration and connection.
A major highlight of Bhaav 2024 was the Satsang and exclusive sessions with Gurudev Sri Sri Ravi Shankar, the globally revered spiritual and humanitarian leader, offering profound wisdom and inspiration to all present
Bhaav 2023
The journey of any art begins with first imbibing the vocabulary of the art form into the body or the sthul sharir, which connects with sagun sākara (both quality and form). The next step is the transference of the effects of these movements into the physiological inner space or the sukshma sharira, which connects with sagun nirakār (with quality but no form). This then transfers to the kārana sharira or ātma which has no form or quality. What is absorbed into this formless space within us is an intangible imprint [sanskār] that can best be described as ‘Bhaav’. It is when the performer and the spectator get connected through the nebulous thread of ‘Bhaav’ does one experience deep emotion.
The Expressions Summit brought together 108 legends of Indian classical art.
Jhankriti Sanskriti Ki Jhankaar
Jhankriti 2024
The third edition of Jhankriti, a prestigious virtual competition for performing arts, was held in 2024 in collaboration with the World Culture Festival, USA, celebrating 43 years of The Art of Living. This global platform continued its mission of honoring and preserving India’s rich artistic heritage.
This edition featured four major categories:
🎶 Gayan – Classical and semi-classical vocal music
🎵 Vadan – Instrumental and percussion performances
💃 Nritya – Classical dance forms
🎭 Natya – Indian theatre
Jhankriti 2024 provided a vibrant stage for young artists worldwide to showcase their talent and celebrate the essence of Indian performing arts.
Jhankriti 2023
In its second edition, Jhankriti 2023, presented by The World Forum for Art and Culture (WFAC), was a pivotal part of the 42nd-anniversary celebrations of the Art of Living. Collaborating with the World Culture Festival 2023 in Washington, DC, Jhankriti 2023 emerges as a magnificent testament to the rich tapestry of Indian art and culture. It harmonizes seamlessly with the Art of Living’s commitment to nurturing cultural diversity and fostering unity through the medium of art.
This grand event extends a warm invitation to young artists worldwide, urging them to participate in four distinctive fields of Arts – Gayan (Indian classical/semi-classical vocal), Vadan (Indian classical instrumental/percussion), Nritya (Indian classical and folk dance forms), and Natya (Indian theatre). The competition is thoughtfully organized into three age categories: Below 12 years, 12 to 16 years, and 17 to 21 years. Jhankriti 2023 serves as an inclusive platform, encouraging artistic expression and celebrating the boundless creativity of the global youth.
Jhankriti 2022
The inaugural edition of Jhankriti, a virtual online competition for performing arts, was launched in 2022 in collaboration with the Ministry of Culture, Government of India as part of Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav, celebrating 75 years of India’s independence.
This festival honored three major disciplines of Indian classical arts:
🎶 Gayan – Classical and semi-classical vocal music
🎵 Vadan – Instrumental and percussion performances
💃 Nritya – Classical dance forms
Jhankriti 2022 served as a vibrant platform to showcase young talent and preserve India’s rich cultural heritage.
Kala Arpan: A Sacred Offering of Art
Kala Arpan is a divine tribute to the Goddess, where artists offer Nritya (dance), Vadan (instrumental music), Gayan (vocal music), and Natya Sewa (theater performance) as an expression of devotion. Held annually during Navaratri at the Art of Living International Centre, Bangalore, this grand celebration is witnessed by 25,000 live attendees and reaches millions worldwide through online streaming.
As the flagship festival of the forum, Kala Arpan is a yagya of music and dance, embodying the highest form of gratitude to the divine, the masters, and the sacred traditions of Indian classical arts.
Over the years, Kala Arpan has hosted more than 150 performances by the greatest maestros of the Indian classical world.
Milestones of Kala Arpan
- 2020 – 40 artists performed online
- 2021 – 108 artists performed online
- 2022 – 250 artists performed offline over 15 days
- 2023 – 240 artists performed offline over 15 days
- 2024 – 350 artists performed offline over 15 days
Each year, Kala Arpan continues to grow, preserving and celebrating the rich heritage of Indian classical arts while offering a deeply spiritual experience to artists and audiences alike.
Kala Kamp: Nurturing Art & Holistic Growth
Kala Kamp, an annual initiative by WFAC, brings the joy of learning art through engaging and immersive workshops. Designed to make art education fun, interactive, and enriching, these shorter workshops foster holistic, all-round development in participants of all ages.
Since its inception in 2021, Kala Kamp has been conducted every year, growing in scale and impact
As part of its mission to preserve and promote Indian art forms, WFAC has expanded Kala Kamp’s reach to over 700 tribal schools, conducting more than 80 workshops annually. This initiative has provided hands-on artistic experiences to over 80,000 students, igniting creativity and a deeper connection with India’s rich cultural heritage.
One Forum. Diverse Cultures and Artists
First-ever Global Stage celebrating diversity. To bring together humanity through the performing arts
For four long decades, The Art of Living has brought together millions from across the globe in celebration of traditional art and art forms through several grandiose events. To further build on Gurudev Sri Sri Ravi Shankar ji’s vision of a ‘One World Family’, the organisation is launching the first of its kind World Forum for Art and Culture (WFAC), a cultural wing that will allow global artists to come together to create historic art through collaborations, and also provide an open platform for teaching and learning traditional art forms from across the globe. As the idea takes shape , the WFAC will strive to become a resource centre for academic research projects on art forms, to preserve the magnanimous reservoir of cultural heritage that has been passed on to the modern world through generations before.
To allow the reach of these cultural nuggets to be as wide as possible, WFAC is offering both online live classes with ace teachers, and self-paced classes to fit in with busy schedules. Our programs have received mentorship and guidance from the doyens of classical art forms in India and abroad, converging for the first time together on such a large scale.
Over the years, many, many artists have chosen to perform on The Art of Living stages, and for the first time through WFAC, these artists would be able to connect, collaborate and create magic, all coordinated through the WFAC team.
And this is just the beginning!