upcoming events

Kolkata

January 31, 2025 - Feb 2, 2025

Bannabagram Baul Ashram

Feb 4, 2025

Goa

Feb 7 - 8, 2025

About Us

Sur Jahan (previous name Sufi Sutra) is an annual World Peace Music Festival with the motto of ‘Music for Peace, Music for All’ and has been held since 2011 at Kolkata till 2023. The festival has also travelled to a few cities like Jaipur, Delhi, Panjim, Patna and Dhaka in the past. Sur Jahan is a non-ticketed festival, open to music lovers. Sur Jahan always presented Int'l music bands and had participation of world music bands from 32 countries till date. The format includes evening concerts and daytime interactive workshops with the audience, and the USP of the festival is presentation of traditional acoustic instruments of various countries as well as folk music in various mother tongues/ vernacular languages, celebrating the essence of World Music, i.e, music of the world. Celebrating Cultural diversity and plurality is the basis of this festival, which also is the essence of Kolkata, the city of joy. Sur Jahan 2025 is already announced, starting with Kolkata on January 31, 2025 - Feb 2, 2025.

  • Countries
  • International Teams
  • National Teams
  • Cities
  • National Artists
  • Folk Artists
  • Audience
  • International Artists

Rangamatir Baul - Rina Das Baul

Rarh Darbar - Arpita Chakraborty

Madagán - Northern Ireland

Qawwals of Jalangi- Chhote Golam

Mirs of Rajasthan - Mir Basu Khan

Mawlawyiah - Egypt

Folks of Bengal

Saira Banu: Leelabali

Teams of 2023

Sur Jahan 2023 was held at Golf Green Central Park on 3-5 Feb by banglanatak dot com in collaboration with Golf Green Central Committee. Being a World Peace Music Festival, Sur Jahan upheld the motto of “Music for all; Music for Peace” and successfully celebrated global cultural diversity through music.

In Sur Jahan, along with presentations of world music, folk musical instruments were also played and showcased. Madagan, the folk music band from the North of Ireland presented their fusion music, which is a classic blend of traditional and contemporary English and Irish musical styles. Their music was accompanied by folk musical instruments, Uilleann Pipes (UNESCO recognised intangible asset) and Concertina, a free reed musical instrument. Mawlaiyah of Egypt captivated the audience with their dervish music and dance led by Amer Eltony and accompanied by their swirling dervish dance & traditional musical instrument like Qanun.

Leelabali, led by Saira Banu, showcased a colourful performance of traditional muslim wedding songs and dance which is only practised in the border region of Nadia Murshidabad. Qawwals of Jalangi, led by Chhote Golam, performed Bangla Qawwali, a variant of Baul Fakiri music, a musical genre revived by the Qawwals of Nadia and Murshidabad. Mirs of Rajasthan, performed at this festival in 2011 and returned this year. Mirs, residing in the western part of Rajasthan, presented their Sufi and Qawwali songs in Saraiki language. Rangamatir Baul led by Rina Das Baul from Birbhum’s Santiniketan, a renowned music group who performed in last year’s WOMEX, enchanted the audience with their Baul music and that was the inaugural performance in Sur Jahan 2023. The festival also presented Darbari Jhumur by Rarh Darbar led by Arpita Chakroborty and Bengal’s folk music by Folks of Bengal, an ensemble of urban folk musicians residing in Kolkata. The festival concluded with the Grand Finale, a musical collaboration where all the music bands and teams participated and showcased a musical presentation transcending the barriers of language and boundaries.

Glimpses

Attractions

The site of Sur Jahan is abuzz through the entire span of the festival. A corner is dedicated to craftspeople engaging with visitors about traditional art and artisans displaying their unique artwork in the form of folk painting, embroidery, and weaving in designated stalls. They’re pleased to meet visitors and eager to answer questions about their process. Folk singers and performance artists holding crowds in thrall with little scheduled shows from afternoon to evening. The participating bands discuss their music, tradition, instruments, engage with the audience and collaborate with local bands. They even conduct and participate in small scale workshops during the mornings of Day 2 and Day 3. A little way away from this constant activity is the enchanted main stage, which only comes alive at sundown.

Festival Stories

Over the years, many participating artists, both international and national have performed and brought the language of music to life. Invited guests return with beautiful memories and perhaps a food for thought for us. The audience has motivated us to be braver with their encouraging words and views. Here, we have strived to bring you these lived anecdotes from the performers, guests and viewers who have become part of the Sur Jahan family.

Plan Your Tour

One of the biggest music extravaganzas in the heart of Kolkata allows you to explore hidden gems of Bengal. This grand music festival is an opportunity to enjoy the local culture and landscapes of West Bengal at its finest.

Media

Sur Jahan is one of the biggest music festivals of India. Its evolution as a headliner music concert has been supported by various national and international media over time. Three days of extravaganza is covered by the leading dailies of Kolkata, Goa, and Delhi; previously by media in Patna and Dhaka too. Along with news channels and national streaming services, bloggers too flock to the music festival.

electronic media

print media

Aajkal
Sur Jahan 2019
Herald Cafe

Memoirs Of Sur Jahan 2019

Sangbad Pratidin

Sur Jahan, Kolkata, February, 2019

Times City

Sounds Of Beyond

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