Provoke Art Festival 2026 was held on October 31st and November 1st, 2026 at the Music Academy, Royapettah, Chennai.
This year’s Provoke Art Festival 2026 showcased unforgettable nights of mesmerising performances and honoured distinguished artists with Lifetime Achievement Awards in the field of Arts. The two-day celebration brought together an extraordinary blend of music, dance and cultural expression, captivating audiences with world-class performances. Renowned artists and creative visionaries took centre stage, making the festival a vibrant tribute to artistic excellence and heritage. The event also served as a platform to recognise legendary contributors whose work has left an enduring impact on the arts. With packed halls and enthusiastic applause, Provoke Art Festival 2026 once again reaffirmed its place as one of Chennai’s most anticipated cultural gatherings.
Day 1 – Saturday, October 31, 2026Attendees witnessed fascinating performances by:
L. Narendra Kumar & Troupe L. Narendra Kumar (Dr. L. Narendrakumar) is a prominent classical Bharatanatyam dancer, choreographer, teacher, and founder of the Anusham Dance School (also known as Anusham Fine Arts Trust).
Ashwath Narayanan One of the most sought-after Carnatic vocalists of his generation, trained under Palakkad K.V. Narayanaswamy and Padma Narayanaswamy . Ashwath Narayanan launched the music band Imir alongwith his band members Bharat Sundar, Sumesh Narayanan and Rajeev Mukundan.
“Provoke is curated to bring art to people who might never walk into a regular Carnatic concert, and that was exactly why we started Imir. Our music has always been rooted in Carnatic, but we never wanted it to stay within that circle alone. We had been waiting for the right stage to launch the band, and when Provoke came along, it simply made sense. A festival like Provoke let us take our music beyond the format of a conventional kutcheri. At a concert, people come expecting a certain structure. At a festival, the audience walks in open to anything, and that freedom was exactly what we needed for our first performance as Imir. We wanted to reach a wider audience, and there couldn’t have been a better place to begin,” states Ashwath about his performance at the Music Academy this weekend.
Honouring IconsRecognising extraordinary contributions to India’s cultural landscape, Provoke Art Festival 2026 also honoured some of the nation’s most distinguished artistic personalities with Lifetime Achievement and other prestigious awards. From the worlds of classical dance, music, and choreography, these trailblazers have inspired generations through their talent, dedication, and enduring impact on the arts.
Honouring excellence through Lifetime Achievement and other Prestigious Awards in the field of arts were presented to:
Dr. Padma Subrahmanyam, an acclaimed Indian classical dancer, research scholar, choreographer, and author.
Ms. Vaikom Vijayalakshmi, a renowned Indian playback singer and Gayatriveena maestro.
Ms. Brinda Gopal, popularly known as Brinda Master, dance choreographer and director.
Paulsons Group of Companies presented Provoke Art Festival 2026, which was started with a simple vision – to celebrate Indian art and the incredible artists who bring our culture, stories, and creativity to life. Through this festival, they aim to create a platform that showcases artistic excellence, encourages dialogue, and inspires a deeper appreciation for India’s rich and diverse artistic heritage.
Open to all, Provoke Art Festival 2026 welcomes everyone from all walks of life. Free entry. Seating on first come first serve basis.
