Vasantha Utsavam: A Springtime tribute to Indian Classical Arts in the UAE 

Vasantha Utsavam is an annual celebration of Indian classical music and dance, held in the United Arab Emirates under the patronage of the Consulate General of India, Dubai. Established in 2015 by three brothers—Mahadevan, Vaidyanathan, and Ramanathan K.S.—originally from Thrissur, Kerala, and long-time finance professionals in the UAE, the festival emerged from their deep-rooted passion for the Indian fine arts and a vision to foster cultural harmony through classical traditions. With the support of like-minded art lovers and the Indian Consulate, Vasantha Utsavam has since become a vibrant platform for over 200 UAE-based artists, offering audiences an immersive experience while nurturing the next generation’s connection to their heritage.

The festival presents a vibrant blend of concerts, workshops, and lecture-demonstrations featuring both emerging talent and legendary artists. Past editions have hosted iconic names such as L. Subramaniam, Vishwa Mohan Bhatt, A. Kanyakumari, Ronu Majumdar, Karaikudi Mani, Mysore Brothers, amongst several others.

This year the festival was conducted on 8 June 2025 at the Zabeel Ladies Club, Dubai. The event was inaugurated by Bijender Singh, Head of Chancery & Consul (Culture), who graced the occasion as Chief Guest. He commended the organisers for their efforts in promoting Indian culture and traditional art in the UAE. Distinguished guests included Omar Al Marzooqi, Ambassador Extraordinary & Major in Dubai Police, and Joy Alukkas, Chairman & Managing Director of the Joyalukkas Group.

The evening began with a soulful prayer by over 20 children, followed by a vibrant Bharatanatyam performance. This was followed by a concert by the Mandolin siblings, Samhitha and Shreyas Shivram, with a double mridangam accompaniment by Mathur Krishnakumar and Prakash Subbaraman. The grand finale was a jugalbandi featuring Ronu Majumdar on flute and U.P. Raju on mandolin, with Triplicane Sekar on tavil and Subhajyoti Guha on tabla.

Held annually since 2015, Vasantha Utsavam remains a leading platform for Indian classical arts in the UAE.