WORLD MUSIC WEEKEND 2026
A Weekend-long Musical Celebration
At the intersection of tradition, experimentation, and global exchange, World Music Weekend 2026 explores how music travels across cultures, geographies, and histories.
Music is rarely static; it is a living site of adaptation and dialogue. This three-day festival is rooted in Bengaluru’s unique identity as a cultural crucible—a meeting point where traditional Indian music and international influences have collided and coexisted for decades.
Through a curated blend of multilingual performances, music appreciation sessions, vinyl-based experiences, and intimate in-gallery engagements, we gather artists and music selectors working across classical, folk, jazz, and pop to examine how musical traditions are inherited, transformed, and reimagined for a globalised world.
“Accessibility support can only be arranged when requested in advance through the registration form. While we may not be able to accommodate every request, IME is committed on making our events more accessible.”
Day 1
Friday | June 19, 2026 | 06:00 PM
Raaja’s Sonic Universe:
Illaiyaraaja Listening Session by Goutham Iyengar and Sakré
A closer look at the textures, arrangements, and musical imagination that define Ilaiyaraaja’s iconic soundscapes.
Language: English
Venue: Performance Theatre
Day 2
Saturday | June 20, 2026 | 04:00 PM
Harmonium in Indian Classical Music
Lec-dem by Dr. Ravindra Katoti
An intimate in-gallery baithak exploring the harmonium’s journey from a Western invention to a beloved instrument in Indian classical music.
Language: English / Hindi
Venue: Living Traditions Gallery
Museum Tickets Required
Saturday | June 20, 2026 | 06:00 PM
Global Folk Harmonies:
Choral Performance by Folk and Tonic
A multilingual choral performance celebrating folk traditions from around the world through song, harmony, and collective expression.
Language: Multiple Languages
Venue: Performance Theatre
Day 2 and 3
Saturday and Sunday | June 20th and 21st, 2026 | 12:00 PM – 5:00 PM
Foreign Exchange:
Records between India and the World, Listening Station by Ram’s Musique
A curated vinyl listening station featuring cross-cultural collaborations, global influences, and musical conversations between India and the world.
Language: Multiple Languages
Venue: Reaching out Gallery
Museum Tickets Required
Day 3
Sunday | June 21, 2026 | 04:00 PM
Contemporary Jazz in an Indian Context
Music Appreciation Session by Aman Mahajan
A beginner-friendly, interactive session exploring applications of Indian music principles to Jazz based on Aman’s project ‘Refuge’.
Language: English
Venue: Performance Theatre
Sunday | June 21, 2026 | 06:00 PM
Biddu Jaisa Koi:
How a Bangalore Musician Crafted Indian Pop
Exploring the life, music, and lasting influence of Biddu, one of the key architects of Indian pop music.
Language: English / Kannada
Venue: Storm Drum Area