Udaipur : As the City of Lakes resonated with music for a second consecutive day, the Vedanta Udaipur World Music Festival 2026 unfolded as a vibrant cultural celebration, bringing together diverse musical traditions from India and across the world. Marking a decade of Music Without Borders, Day 2 of the festival deepened the dialogue between cultures through thoughtfully curated performances across Udaipur’s iconic outdoor venues. The festival is supported by Hindustan Zinc and conceptualized and produced by SEHER in collaboration with the Department of Tourism, Government of Rajasthan.
The day began with a serene morning session at Manji Ka Ghat (Ambrai Ghat), where audiences were welcomed to an intimate and reflective musical experience set against the calm waters of Lake Pichola. Radha Bubukwar, with her light classical repertoire, opened the morning with grace and restraint, followed by Les Itinérantes from France, whose a capella performance added a delicate global dimension to the early hours, creating a meditative start to the day.
Afternoon sessions at Fateh Sagar Paal created a serene lakeside setting, beginning with Amrit Ramnath, whose contemporary interpretations rooted in classical training drew listeners into a reflective soundscape. This was followed by Lucibela from Cape Verde, whose emotive morna and coladeira compositions added warmth and depth to the afternoon. The session concluded with Taba Chake, whose folk-infused songwriting and heartfelt melodies connected strongly with the audience.
As evening descended, Gandhi Ground transformed into a lively gathering space for global sounds. Valerie Ekoumé from Cameroon opened the evening with her Afro-pop and Afro-rock rhythms that brought infectious energy to the stage. The momentum continued with OAFF, whose modern electronic soundscapes added a contemporary edge, leading into a much-anticipated performance by Jonita Gandhi, whose dynamic stage presence and vocal versatility brought Day 2 to a memorable close.
Sharing his thoughts on Day 2, Arun Misra, CEO, Hindustan Zinc, said, “The Vedanta Udaipur World Music Festival came alive on Day 2 with a vibrant confluence of a gobal rhythm and local traditions, creating a truly immersive cultural experience for audiences. At Hindustan Zinc, we take pride in championing platforms that celebrate and preserve artistic heritage, where Rajasthan's rich folk legacy finds harmony with contemporary International music. As the festival continues to grow in scale and significance, it reinforces Udaipur- Zinc City's place on the global cultural map, bringing people together and nurturing deeper community connections through the universal language of music.”
Reflecting on the day’s performances, Sanjeev Bhargava, Founder, SEHER, said, “Day 2 truly captured the essence of what the Vedanta Udaipur World Music Festival has come to represent - diversity, discovery, and meaningful musical exchange. From intimate afternoon performances by the lake to high-energy global sounds in the evening, the day unfolded as a carefully curated journey. As we celebrate ten years of the festival, moments like these reaffirm our commitment to creating experiences where music, setting, and audience come together organically.”
With Day 2 drawing to a close, the Vedanta Udaipur World Music Festival 2026 now looks ahead to its final day. Day 3 again kicks off with soulful morning performances at Manji Ka Ghat (Ambrai Ghat) from 9:00 AM onwards, followed by afternoon sessions at Fateh Sagar Paal from 3 PM onwards, and evening performances at Gandhi Ground from 6:00 PM onwards, promising another diverse musical journey across the festival’s iconic outdoor venues as the celebrations move toward a grand conclusion.