Doha will host “Bharat Utsav 2026”, a two-day festival celebrating India’s rich and diverse cultural heritage, as the Indian Cultural Centre, in association with the Embassy of India in Qatar, prepares to present one of the largest cultural events of the year on January 22 and 23, 2026, from 4 pm to 11 pm at the Ideal Indian School ground.
A major attraction of the festival will be a live musical concert by renowned Indian playback singer Srinivas and his team, whose performance is expected to blend timeless melodies with contemporary favourites. Another key highlight will be the ICC Star Singer grand finale on January 22. The competition, which began in the first week of December 2025, is aimed at identifying and celebrating musical talent within the Indian community in Qatar. The final round will be judged by a distinguished panel including noted singer Srinivasan Doraiswamy.
Organisers said the festival is intended to foster Indo-Qatar friendship and strengthen bonds within the Indian expatriate community through a broad showcase of Indian culture. The programme will feature live orchestra performances, instrumental fusion, group dances and a fusion dance presentation combining Thiruvathira from Kerala, Attam from Tamil Nadu, Telugu dance forms and the traditional Garba from Gujarat.
The announcement was made at a press conference attended by Indian Ambassador to Qatar Vipul, Dr Vaibhav A Tandale, counsellor and head of chancery and consular at the Embassy of India, ICC president A P Manikantan, ICC advisory council chairman P N Babu Rajan, vice president Shantanu Deshpande and Bharat Utsav sponsorship committee chairman V S Mannangi.
The event will also include a cultural parade highlighting traditional costumes, music and folk art from different regions of India, along with cultural pavilions representing various Indian states. A dedicated pavilion will showcase social service schemes of the central and state governments of India. Visitors can also explore a bazaar featuring Indian handicrafts, traditional garments and jewellery, as well as a food court serving a range of Indian delicacies.
