Mahindra & Mahindra : Second edition of Mahindra Kabira Festival to take place from 10th – 12th November, 2017

Embrace 'Kabir in every sense' through the ghats and bylanes of Varanasi

New Delhi, 13 September 2017: Taking off from a memorable inaugural edition last year, the Mahindra Kabira Festival returns to Varanasi for three days from the 10th - 12th of November 2017 with another sublime celebration of the mystical poet saint Kabir. The festival promises a specially curated experience of the life and works of Kabir, his music and poetry, and the city of Varanasi, his birthplace, unparalleled for its unique ambience, flavour, soul and history.

Conceived by the Mahindra Group and leading performing arts entertainment company, Teamwork Arts, the festival will feature grassroot artistes as well as renowned names such as Bindumalini&Vedanth, Mahesha Ram, Nathoo Lal Solanki, Rashmi Agarwal, Harpreet Singh, and headline performances by the unmatched Kailash Kher and Shubha Mudgal.

Kabir's poetry is all about inclusiveness - and like last year, Mahindra Kabira Festival will celebrate this philosophy and essentially bring to music-lovers an unforgettable experience.Leading exponents of the Benares gharana and folk traditions, Sufi music, dadra, thumri, khayalgayaki styles, ghazals and pakhawaj and thetablaare all set to enthrall audienceson the historicghatsof India's holiest city, Varanasi which resonates with a melange of voices and colours symbolic of India's richcultural matrix.

'At Mahindra, we are committed to the preservation and promotion of the arts. We are delighted to present the Mahindra Kabira Festival in its second edition where leading artistes will perform works inspired by the legendary poet-saint with the famed Varanasi ghats forming a stunning backdrop. The festival will also feature discussionson Kabir's poetry and attendees will also get an opportunity to explore the city's heritage in what promises to be an immersive experience.' says Jay Shah, Vice President, Head -Cultural Outreach, Mahindra & Mahindra Ltd.

Speaking about the second edition of the festival, Sanjoy Roy, M.D, Teamwork Arts says, 'The Mahindra Kabira Festival is the perfect portrayal of the mysticism of Kabir and the intense cultural spell the city of Varanasi casts. This edition of the festival promises to be a most memorable one through a fascinating programme and lineup linked intricately with the spirit of this remarkable city.'

An aural and visual feast, the second Mahindra Kabira Festival will offer an opportunity to embrace the 'Kabir' way of life: soak in the music, walk the winding alleys, get chased by the ubiquitous bulls, hunt the bazaars for wooden toys, taste the delectable food on the streets and visit the weavers' gullies where Kabir is said to have grownup. With a thoroughly invigorating and engaging programme, the Festival promises an experience that truly celebrates 'Kabir in every Sense'.

At Darbhanga Ghat for Morning Music, audiences will awaken to uplifting musical performances while the popular - and low profile - Panditji, equipped with the natural essences of ittr, crafts a unique mix based on the raag being sung. Dabbing this unmistakably romantic scent onto a phaa (a bud of cotton), he will offer the audiences a deep whiff of this magical potion, forming a striking accompaniment to the performance.There will also be Literature Afternoons where experts will discussideas inspired by Kabir's poetry. These sessions will includea spellbinding traditional Dastangoi recital and energisingchai to fuel the contemplative literary discourse.

Specially guided Heritage and Food Walks, curated by expert chroniclers, will unlock the city's mysteries, and help attendees understand the gentle passion of Kabir's philosophies. Led through the meandering lanes and alleys of the city, walkers can fall in step with Benarasi culture, savour a melting pot of flavours bursting with the spice of the kachori, the zing of the chaat, and the exuberance of the Benarasilassi and paan. The walks will follow the food trail from the famous Kashi ChaatBhandar to the little stalls of KachoriGali behind Kashi Vishwanath Temple, the shops selling pakoras and everything else on Vishwanath Gali. Itinerant musicians will regale the troupe as it makes its way to iconic places like the Kabir Mat, the SankatMochan Temple and to the weavers at work translating fantasy into golden reality throughtheir timeless looms.

Evening Music, with headline performances by Shubha Mudgal and Kailash Kher, will mark the culmination of each day at the popular Chhota Nagpur Bageecha and at Assi Ghat after the grand aarti. In an incomparable tableau unique to Varanasi, the musical performancesat Assi Ghat will be staged on the river under the stars, facing the ghat where audiences will be seated.

The Mahindra Kabira Festival awaits, gearing to fill your senses amid the omniscient Ganga twinkling with a thousand lights from passing boats, ghats bedecked and tinseled for the occasion, pealing temple bells and the call of an ancient city.

Entry: Free Registration for Morning and Evening Music Performances on Saturday and Sunday.

Delegate Packages
While attendance to key events is free and open to all, a customized delegate package offers a curated experience of the festival where delegates can be part of an unforgettable journey.

Starting from Rs.4000/- per room night and up to Rs.25,000/- per room night at select hotels across the city.

For more information on the Delegate Packages please visitwww.mahindrakabira.com

For media queries, please contact:

Teamwork Arts
Vidushi Khera: [phone], [e-mail]

Zimisha Communications
Santosh: [phone], [e-mail]
Kashish: [phone], [e-mail]
Anushree: [phone], [e-mail]

NOTES TO EDITORS

About Mahindra

The Mahindra Group is a USD 19 billion federation of companies that enables people to rise through innovative mobility solutions, driving rural prosperity, enhancing urban living, nurturing new businesses and fostering communities. It has a leadership position in utility vehicles, information technology, financial services and vacation ownership in India and is the world's largest tractor company, by volume. It also enjoys a strong presence in agribusiness, components, commercial vehicles, consulting services, energy, industrial equipment, logistics, real estate, steel, aerospace, defence and two wheelers. Headquartered in India, Mahindra employs over 200,000 people across 100 countries.

Learn more about Mahindra on www.mahindra.com / Twitter and Facebook: @MahindraRise

About Teamwork Arts:

For over 25 years, Teamwork Arts has taken India to the world and brought the world to India. In countries such as Australia, Canada, Egypt, France, Germany, Hong Kong, Italy, Israel, Korea, Singapore, South Africa, Spain, UK and USA, Teamwork produces over 25 highly acclaimed performing arts, visual arts, and literary festivals across more than 40 cities. Teamwork Arts produces one of the world's largest free literary gatherings, the annual ZEE Jaipur Literature Festival, the Ishara International Puppet Festival and the annual Mahindra Excellence in Theatre Awards (META) and Festival in New Delhi, international festivals Shared History in South Africa, Eye on India in the United States of America, India by the Bay in Hong Kong, Confluence- Festival of India in Australia, India@70 2017: Year of Culture in the United Kingdom, and many more.

Website: www.teamworkarts.com