Jaigarh Heritage Festival lit Jaipur with grand celebration of Rajasthan’s living legacy

The second edition of the Vedanta presents Jaigarh Heritage Festival concluded after a remarkable two-day celebration, held on 6th and 7th December 2025, at the historic Jaigarh.

Bringing together heritage lovers, scholars, artists, musicians and visitors from across India, the festival offered an immersive cultural experience rooted in Rajasthan’s royal traditions, living craft practices, musical heritage and contemporary artistic expression. The inaugural day opened with a stirring morning performance by Hullas Purohit, supported by the Dagar Archives Museum, setting a soulful tone across the iconic ramparts of the fort.

The Inaugural ceremony featured an address by Sawai Padmanabh Singh, Ritu Jhingon, President of Anil Agarwal Foundation (Vedanta) and Sanjoy K. Roy, Managing Director of Teamwork Arts, which outlined the festival’s vision of reviving and celebrating Rajasthan’s heritage through artistic innovation, community engagement, and intergenerational storytelling.

Speaking at the inauguration, Sawai Padmanabh Singh said, “Jaigarh has always been a living reminder of our heritage, not a monument frozen in time, but a space where memory, creativity and identity continue to evolve.

With this festival, we hope to build a cultural experience that honours the past while empowering new expressions for generations to come.”Priya Agarwal Hebbar, Non-Executive Director, Vedanta Ltd. and Chairperson, Hindustan Zinc Ltd. said, “At Vedanta, we believe that celebrating heritage also means honouring the people who keep it alive. The Jaigarh Heritage Festival brought together artisans, folk musicians, women entrepreneurs and young audiences in a way that was both meaningful and joyful.

It is a privilege to support a platform that gives tradition the spotlight it deserves, while inviting the world to experience Rajasthan’s creativity in contemporary and immersive ways.

”This year, first-of-its-kind immersive gamified experience ‘Kaun Banega Metal-Head?’ to offer people a first-hand experience into the world of metals and resources produced by the company and how they drive India’s growth story.

Day 2 opened on a contemplative note with a morning performance by Pandit Mohan Shyam Sharma, supported by the Dagar Archives Museum. The session ‘Painting & Photography in the Jaipur Court’ saw Dr. Giles Tillotson in conversation with Dr. Mrinalini Venkateswaran, offering thought-provoking insights on the visual documentation of Jaipur’s royal legacy. Midday programming explored political history through ‘Rajasthan and the Subcontinent: Politics, Polity and the Art of War’ featuring Dr.

Rima Hooja, Dr. Jigyasa Meena, and Dr. Pankaj Jha in conversation with Dr. Abhimanyu Singh Arha.

Sessions continued to draw participation, including a rhythmic Khartal Workshop by Chugge Khan, and soulful performances by Shahzad and Sakil Khan, while contemporary acts such as “Divyam x Khwaab” and “One Size Fits All” by Soumik Datta took to the stage. The evening culminated with “Otherworldly Chronicles - Close Encounters with the Formless & the Spectral”, featuring a compelling conversation between Sanjoy K.

Roy and Arundhati Nath. The grand finale of the festival featured the critically acclaimed Manganiyar Seduction by Roysten Abel, thunderous Nagadas by Nathoo Lal Solanki, and the sonic brilliance of the Princely States Dub Orchestra, featuring Rajasthan Josh.

Reflecting on the close of the festival, Sanjoy K. Roy, Managing Director of Teamwork Arts, said, “The Jaigarh Heritage Festival stands on the belief that culture is a living force.

When we bring together artistry, community and memory in a shared space, we create not just nostalgia, but a renewed commitment to heritage. The overwhelming response this year reinforces that preserving culture is a collective responsibility and a celebration.

”Across both days, visitors explored the bustling Crafts Bazaar at Laxmi Vilas, celebrated regional flavours at the curated Food Gully, and participated in expert-led Heritage Walks that uncovered the architectural splendour and historical significance of Jaigarh.The event stands as a powerful testament to Rajasthan’s living legacy, bridging past and present through art, performance, scholarship and community participation. With exceptional support from partners, artists and audiences, the festival continues to shape Jaipur as a vibrant centre for cultural heritage, creative expression and experiential tourism.