Madhya Pradesh Plans Grand Cultural Showcase in Gwalior

Published on December 9, 2025

Madhya Pradesh will host the 101st Tansen Samaroh in Gwalior from December 15 to 19, 2025. The event will be organized by the Department of Culture through the Ustad Alauddin Khan Sangeet Evam Kala Academy under the Madhya Pradesh Sanskriti Parishad. The festival will honor Miyan Tansen, whose legacy remains central to Hindustani classical music. Gwalior, recognised as a UNESCO Creative City of Music, will again serve as the cultural backdrop for this long-standing celebration.

The festival has been held for more than a century. It has continued to highlight traditions shaped in Gwalior and influenced by the training lineage of Tansen, who was born in Behat. The opening ceremony will take place at the tombs of Tansen and Muhammad Ghaus. A series of performances will follow through the week, presenting forms like Dhrupad, Khayal, and styles from the Gwalior Gharana.

Festival Overview for Visitors

The six-day Samaroh will gather senior musicians and emerging performers from across India and overseas. Travellers will find a varied program with dawn concerts, evening baithaks, and thematic presentations. A special dawn concert will take place on December 18 at Tansen’s Samadhi. This session will aim to create a serene and reflective setting for visitors.

Two major national honors will be presented during the festival. The National Tansen Award and the National Kalidas Samman will recognize artistic contributions in Indian classical music and the wider arts. These elements will strengthen the festival’s cultural significance for travellers seeking deeper engagement with India’s classical traditions.

The Madhya Pradesh Tourism Board (MPTB) will support the event with curated tourism offerings. These offerings will guide travellers through sites connected to Tansen and Gwalior’s artistic history. The tours will cover Behat, Bandholi, Sarod Ghar, Tansen’s Tomb, and Gwalior Fort. Additional heritage circuits will run through Mitawli, Padawali, Bateshwar, Kakanmath, and Orchha via Datia. These routes will highlight architecture, craft, and cultural links across the region.

A tourism information counter will also be set up. Visitors will find a cultural exhibition zone featuring regional crafts and artistic traditions. Bundeli paintings, Chitera artworks, Datia metal craft, Chanderi textiles, Batto Bai dolls, terracotta pieces, and tribal jewellery will be displayed. A multi-day food festival at MPT Hotel Tansen Residency will present dishes from Chambal, Bundelkhand, Baghelkhand, Malwa, and millet-based tribal cuisines.

Guided walks and city tours will be organized around Gwalior. Travellers will explore landmarks such as Gwalior Fort, Jai Vilas Palace, Gujari Mahal, Sun Temple, Moti Mahal, and Maharaj Bada. These experiences will link music, heritage, and local culture for visitors.

Travel Experiences and Visitor Appeal

Travellers often seek immersive experiences shaped by culture, cuisine, and stories that connect past and present. Events like this festival tend to offer layered encounters where traditions, performances, and heritage landscapes intersect. Visitors may find value in exploring local crafts, tasting regional food, or spending time in historic settings that enhance the overall journey. Such environments usually inspire extended stays, slower travel, and deeper appreciation for the place. Music festivals with long-standing legacies often become anchors for tourism, supporting community engagement while welcoming diverse audiences.

Heritage, Community, and Continued Growth

The Tansen Samaroh has earned two Guinness World Records in past editions. The recognition has strengthened its global presence. The festival continues to highlight mastery, preservation, and community participation. The 101st edition is expected to support Gwalior’s standing as a center for classical music and cultural travel.

The event is supported through the combined efforts of the Department of Culture, the Ustad Alauddin Khan Sangeet Evam Kala Academy, and the Madhya Pradesh Tourism Board. Their focus remains on heritage, artistic growth, and inclusive tourism. The festival aims to offer an experience that blends culture, music, and local traditions for visitors in the Heart of India.

Image Source: AI