2.9 Million+ Artists | 182 Countries | 12 Guinness Records | 4 World Culture Festival | 1 World Family
Bhaav : The Expressions Summit
Bhaav – The Expressions Summit is a grand annual celebration of India’s artistic soul, organized by the World Forum for Art & Culture (WFAC) at the serene Art of Living International Centre, Bengaluru. Since its inception, Bhaav has proudly hosted four vibrant editions-in 2023, 2024, 2025, and 2026-each growing in scale, impact, and creative depth.
Conceived under the vision and wisdom of Gurudev Sri Sri Ravi Shankar, Bhaav is far more than a cultural festival. It is a unique confluence of art, spirituality, wellness, and community-a space where creativity meets consciousness, where artists rejuvenate through meditation and self-discovery, and where audiences experience the transformative power of artistic expression.
Rooted in the philosophy of bhaav-the subtle emotion that bridges performer and spectator—the summit brings together legendary maestros, accomplished practitioners, emerging talents, and passionate art lovers from across the world. By transcending barriers of age, geography, language, and genre, Bhaav creates a sacred space for artists to reflect, reconnect, and celebrate the essence of expression.
Held over three immersive days, the summit presents a rich tapestry of performances, lecture-demonstrations, panel discussions, workshops, and experiential learning opportunities. From sacred traditions such as Theyyam, Yakshagana, and Chhau to classical forms like Kathak, Bharatanatyam, and Carnatic music, alongside contemporary innovations in dance, theatre, and visual arts, Bhaav celebrates the full spectrum of Indian creativity while embracing global artistic influences.
With over 1,000 delegates, 500 celebrated artists, 15,000 live audience members, and millions of online viewers across previous editions, Bhaav has become one of India’s most distinctive cultural gatherings. The summit offers artists complimentary Art of Living programs, creating opportunities for deep inner connection, artistic collaboration, and spiritual communion.
Each edition has woven art with purpose, championing meaningful social causes such as education for underprivileged children, inclusion of specially abled artists, and representation of transgender artists. In doing so, Bhaav has evolved into more than an artistic event-it has become a movement of compassion, inclusivity, and cultural awakening.
The summit has been illuminated by the presence of some of India’s most revered cultural icons and distinguished dignitaries, including Padma Vibhushan Sonal Mansingh, Padma Vibhushan Dr. Padma Subrahmanyam, Padma Bhushan Swapna Sundari, Padma Shri Hema Malini, Padma Shri Manjamma Jogati, Padma Shri Om Prakash Sharma, Padma Shri K. K. Muhammed, Padma Shri Annavarapu Ramaswamy, Padma Shri Hemoprova Chutia, Padma Shri Anupama Hoskere, Padma Shri Ram Gopal Bajaj, Rockline Venkatesh, Mukesh Chhabra, Prajakta Mali, Prachee Shah Pandya, Jyothi D. Tommar, Sushant Divgikar, Bannage Suvarna, and many others. Bhaav has also been graced by eminent guests, including Hon. Ministers Gajendra Singh Shekhawat, Meenakshi Lekhi, G. Kishan Reddy, and Sumalatha Ambareesh, whose encouragement has strengthened its vision of art as a force for social well-being.
As an integral part of the summit, WFAC presents the prestigious Kala Awards, honouring artists whose dedication has contributed significantly to the preservation, promotion, innovation, and transmission of Indian arts and cultural heritage. Through these awards, Bhaav celebrates the torchbearers who continue to inspire future generations through their artistic excellence and service to society.
The summit culminates in Jhankriti—a breathtaking showcase that brings together all participating artists in a magnificent celebration of collective creativity and shared rhythm. Vibrant, inclusive, and deeply transformative, Bhaav stands today as a beacon of artistic excellence, cultural harmony, and spiritual awakening.
More than a festival, Bhaav is a living canvas of India’s cultural heritage—a heartfelt journey into the timeless essence of art, culture, consciousness, and expression.
Jhankriti Sanskriti Ki Jhankaar
Jhankriti – Sanskriti Ki Jhankar
Jhankriti is a prestigious global virtual competition for Indian arts, organized annually by the World Forum for Art & Culture (WFAC). Since its inception, we have proudly hosted four inspiring editions:
Jhankriti 2022 – Launched with the Ministry of Culture, Government of India, during Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav, celebrating 75 years of India’s independence.
Jhankriti 2023 – Featured as part of the World Culture Festival 2023 in Washington, D.C., uniting artists across continents.
Jhankriti 2024 – A grand showcase of talent in celebration of 43 years of The Art of Living, with global participation.
Jhankriti 2025 – The fourth edition of the competition expanded further, introducing additional categories in Fine Arts and attracting even greater participation from young artists worldwide.
The competition is open to young artists across two age groups—8–12 years and 13–18 years—offering a nurturing and inclusive space to explore and express India’s rich artistic traditions.
Participants compete in five core categories:
Gayan – Indian Classical, Semi-Classical, and Devotional Vocal Music
Vadan – Indian Classical Instrumental and Percussion Arts
Nritya – Classical, Folk, and Traditional Dance Forms
Natya – Indian Theatre, Drama, and Performing Arts
Fine Arts – Indian Fine, Tribal, Folk, and Visual Art Forms
A special annual initiative designed to provide a platform for young artists nationally and internationally to showcase their talent, interact with maestros, and elevate their artistic journey, Jhankriti has now successfully entered its fourth edition.
Over 30,000 young artists have participated in previous editions of the competition, generating more than 5 million views worldwide. The initiative has also been lauded by the Ministry of Culture, Government of India, for its contribution to promoting and preserving 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 Seva (theatre performance) as an expression of devotion. Held annually during Navaratri at the Art of Living International Centre, Bengaluru, this grand celebration is witnessed by thousands of attendees and reaches millions worldwide through online streaming.
As the flagship festival of the World Forum for Art & Culture, Kala Arpan is a sacred offering of music, dance, and theatre, embodying the highest form of gratitude to the Divine, the Masters, and the rich traditions of Indian classical arts.
Over the years, Kala Arpan has hosted more than 150 performances by some of the finest maestros and emerging artists from the Indian classical arts community.
Milestones of Kala Arpan
2020 – 40 artists performed online.
2021 – 108 artists performed online.
2022 – 250 artists performed at the Art of Living International Centre, Bengaluru, over 15 days.
2023 – 240 artists performed at the Art of Living International Centre, Bengaluru, over 15 days.
2024 – 350 artists performed at the Art of Living International Centre, Bengaluru, over 15 days.
2026 – More than 600 artists performed at the Art of Living International Centre, Bengaluru.
Each year, Kala Arpan continues to grow as a unique confluence of devotion and artistic excellence, 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!