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Jackfruit 2026 returns to Bengaluru for its eighth edition from August 21–23, bringing together young musicians from across India for a three-day celebration of indigenous musical traditions. Led by festival director Shubha Mudgal, the festival features performances such as Jackfruit Songsters, Musicking Into The Future, and Kamaal Dhamaal, alongside workshops exploring rhythm, improvisation, poetry, and Bhakti music.
Jackfruit 2026 is back for its eighth edition in Bengaluru from 21st to 23rd August at multiple venues across the city. A music festival by kids, Jackfruit celebrates budding musicians under the age of 16 from across the country through events like workshops, outreach programmes, and concerts.
With legendary Hindustani classical composer and singer Shubha Mudgal as its festival director, Jackfruit is set to be a three-day celebration of music indigenous to India and give these young children a platform to showcase their talent.
This year’s festival will have three main performances: firstly, Jackfruit Songsters, which brings together 150 children from across the country trained by musicians like Rajib Das, Mohammad Muneem, and Vasuki Vaibhav; secondly, Musicking Into The Future, which showcases the talents of musical child prodigies and their stories; and finally, Kamaal Dhamaal, curated by Aneesh Pradhan, one of India’s leading tabla players, presenting young folk drummers from indigenous traditions across the country.
Along with these performances, Jackfruit will also be hosting workshops for children to get more inspired and involved in the world of classical music. From a poetry workshop hosted by percussionist Viveick Rajagopalan, instilling the importance of rhythm, to a session exploring the meaning behind the melodies and lyrics of songs from Karnataka’s Bhakti Movement, Jackfruit’s four workshops are designed to open the eyes of younger audiences to genres and kinds of music they probably haven’t been exposed to before. For example, Abhishek Raghuram’s inventive workshop explores how Pallavis (the primary refrain of a composition) can be used as tools to build manodharma, or the art of improvisation, in one’s musical thinking and practice. Jackfruit is also organising workshops and events at schools and care institutions across Bengaluru conducted by MD Pallavi, Giridhar Udupa and Beat Gurus.
Along with championing and platforming young musical talent, Jackfruit 2026 is an opportunity for not just younger audiences but also adults to step into a world of music that isn’t seen in mainstream listening circles. Music from the Bhakti movement and percussion traditions are integral parts of our country’s musical history, with their effects still visible in our contemporary music, and they deserve a platform to take centre stage as well. Jackfruit does just that, through childlike wonder and excitement.
Get your tickets for Jackfruit 2026 here.
