Bengaluru, a city known for its vibrant cultural life and eclectic mix of art forms, is once again gearing up for a unique, spell-binding event on the eve of Republic Day that promises to bring together classical music lovers, dance aficionados and curious culture seekers for a dusk-to-dawn musical odyssey. Yamini 2026, an overnight concert of music and dance, will take place on January 25–26, 2026, at the Indian Institute of Management Bangalore (IIMB), transforming the campus into a nocturnal space of artistic immersion and shared cultural experience. This event has deep roots in classical performance traditions and continues to attract audiences from across Bengaluru and neighbouring regions.
The Heart of the Event: Yamini and Its Cultural Legacy
Yamini is not a new phenomenon. It is part of a long-standing tradition in Indian classical music and arts, where performances unfold through the night — from sunset to sunrise — allowing listeners to experience sound and movement in a continuous, almost meditative flow. According to organisers, such overnight concerts have been part of Hindustani classical music traditions for more than 150 years, with similar gatherings in cities like Jalandhar, Varanasi and Kolkata. These events are designed to encourage deep listening, spiritual reflection and an immersive engagement with the arts.
The term “yamini” itself points to the night — a time that, in music lore, has its own moods, emotional colours and raga associations. Nighttime performances have a special aura in Indian classical traditions, often linked to the idea of rasa — the emotional and aesthetic flavour that art evokes in the audience. In such performances, musicians and dancers share extended, expressive storytelling that builds slowly and intimately, inviting listeners into a rhythmic and melodic journey that evolves with the hours.
What Yamini 2026 Offers
This year’s iteration of the event continues that tradition with a thoughtful curation of performances that span classical genres, instruments and dance forms. The concert begins at 7.30 pm on January 25 and continues until 6.30 am on January 26, inviting audiences to surrender a night’s sleep for the joy of music and cultural communion. Access to the concert is free, open to all with prior registration.
The lineup for Yamini 2026 reflects both diversity and excellence in Indian classical performance:
• The evening opens with a jazz performance by Lars Møller, setting a breezy, cross-cultural tone that celebrates music as a universal language.
• From there, the event moves into the rich traditions of Indian classical music with Karnatik vocals by Sikkil Gurucharan, whose voice embodies the elegance and technical precision of South Indian music.
• Umayalpuram K Sivaraman brings the rhythmic virtuosity of the mridangam, an instrument central to Carnatic rhythm traditions and known for its expressive depth.
• In the realm of dance, Shovana Narayan, a celebrated Kathak dancer, showcases the eloquence of one of India’s major classical dance forms, blending intricate footwork with narrative expression.
• Baha’ud’din Dagar, a master of the rudra veena, contributes the deep, resonant textures of this ancient stringed instrument, evoking centuries of historical continuity in Indian soundscapes.
• Kaleeshabi Mahaboob adds the wind-driven brilliance of the nadaswaram, a traditional South Indian double-reed instrument often associated with auspicious occasions and temple music.
• Wrapping the musical program are Hindustani vocal recitals by Jayateerth Mevundi, whose voice carries the pan-Indian legacy of Hindustani classical expression.
This remarkable range of artists and genres — from jazz to classical vocals, instrumental mastery to expressive dance — creates an artistic tapestry both wide in scope and deep in cultural resonance.
Tradition Meets Contemporary Celebration
Yamini 2026 takes place on the eve of India’s Republic Day, a period of heightened cultural activity in Bengaluru and across the nation. Republic Day commemorates the adoption of the Indian Constitution and celebrates the democratic foundations of modern India. While parades, civic ceremonies and formal tributes mark the day itself, Bangalore’s cultural ethos often embraces a series of artistic, musical and community celebrations in the days leading up to and following the holiday.
Bengaluru’s cultural scene continues to expand with festivals like BLR Hubba, which runs city-wide with hundreds of events spanning art, food, music and heritage. The festival transforms public spaces into stages and galleries celebrating creativity, community and cultural exchange. Yamini fits into this larger narrative, offering a focused, night-long experience of classical arts that complements the wider celebratory spirit of the city.
The location — the open-air theatre at IIMB’s Bannerghatta Road campus — reinforces the sense of an immersive cultural environment. Under the night sky, with the gentle past of a campus setting, Yamini invites listeners to slow down, listen deeply and connect not just with sound but with shared experience. The overnight timing transforms the event into something akin to a vigil of the arts — a collective, waking celebration that unfolds over hours.
The Spirit of Giving Up Sleep for Art
Organisers and connoisseurs often describe Yamini as more than a concert; it is a ritual of devotion. Supriti, the national advisor of SPIC MACAY (Society for the Promotion of Indian Classical Music and Culture Amongst Youth), explains that Yamini is analogous to traditional fasting or abstention during festivals — not to deny oneself but to open up space for something intense, transformative and lasting. In this case, the “sacrifice” isn’t food or material indulgence but sleep, replaced by a night of listening, absorbing and feeling the emotional depth of classical performance.
This idea of giving up sleep for art aligns with classical music’s historical setting. In many Indian traditions, music was not merely entertainment. It was an offering, a spiritual practice meant to elevate consciousness and create a shared moment of emotional resonance between performer and audience. The continuous flow of music through the night also evokes a timeless, almost meditative experience — a pause from the rush of daily life.
An Inclusive and Open Event
One of the striking aspects of Yamini 2026 is its accessibility. Open to all and free with registration, the event encourages audiences from diverse backgrounds — students, professionals, families, classical music enthusiasts and curious visitors — to take part without any financial barriers. Past editions have drawn attendees not only from Bengaluru but also from neighbouring cities like Tumakuru, Dharwad, Surathkal, Kalaburagi, and even as far as Salem in Tamil Nadu, highlighting its wide cultural appeal.
This cross-regional draw underscores how classical music and traditional arts resonate beyond linguistic and state borders. In an increasingly globalized cultural atmosphere, Yamini reminds us of the deep roots, rich layers and shared human emotions that classical sounds and evocative dance can express.
A Celebration of Continuity and Community
More than just an overnight concert, Yamini 2026 represents a commitment to cultural continuity and a celebration of India’s artistic heritage. In a world often dominated by commercial entertainment and short-form digital consumption, events like Yamini offer something slow, reflective and communal — a space where audiences and artists come together to witness the unfolding beauty of classical expression across hours of uninterrupted performance.
Its timing on the edge of Republic Day gives it added meaning, framing the night as a tribute to cultural values, artistic heritage and the free flow of ideas and expression in a democratic society. The classical notes, rhythmic beats, expressive dance and the quiet communion of listeners create a tapestry of experience that is both personal and collective.
Yamini 2026 invites all who attend to remember that culture thrives not only in celebration but in deep listening, shared presence and the willingness to stay awake for the beauty that unfolds over time. Whether you are a seasoned lover of Indian classical arts or someone curious about deep cultural experiences, this overnight concert is a testament to art’s enduring power to connect, elevate and inspire.
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