March 24th, 2026 • Lalakhedi, Indore-Bhopal Road
THE DEHATI FOUNDATION
Presents
1st Edition
The Dehati Fest
MARCH 24TH, 2026
From THE VILLAGE to the HEARTS OF THE SOIL
“Be Dehati, Be Indian”
The Dehati Fest
A culture-led festival bridging rural and urban India
The Dehati Fest, an initiative of The Dehati Foundation, is proposed for March 24th, 2026. It responds to the growing emotional and ideological divide between rural and urban India — a gap shaped not by distance, but by migration, limited opportunities, and the gradual loss of cultural platforms in villages. As development accelerates, rural voices have faded from mainstream cultural spaces. The Dehati Fest seeks to bring them back honestly and respectfully.
Culture as a Bridge
Through art, poetry, music, and meaningful dialogue, The Dehati Fest creates a shared cultural ground where rural and urban communities meet. The festival invites urban audiences to reconnect with their roots and experience the dignity, joy, and essence of simpler living — free from hierarchy and discrimination. Guided by the spirit of “Be Dehati, Be Indian,” the festival brings together thought leaders, poets, folk musicians, and contemporary bands using culture to reconnect hearts and reimagine the role of villages in India’s future.
The Timeline
Day 00 | 23rd March, Monday (Optional)
04:00 PM onwards: Arrival and Check-in for those who wish to settle in early. Benefit from a restful evening and get a head start on the Dehati experience.
Day 01 | 24th March, Tuesday
02:00 PM: Arrival, Meet & Greet introduction session.
02:30 – 03:30 PM: Dehati brunch ‘साझा और रोटी पोहा’ — A traditional welcome.
03:30 – 04:30 PM: Informative walk to Village Agricultural land.
04:30 – 05:00 PM: Visit to the historical 70-year-old Patel ki Haveli.
05:00 – 06:00 PM: Gaon Bhraman / गांव भ्रमण — Discovering the rhythm of village life.
06:30 – 07:30 PM: Dinner served in Dehati style.
07:30 PM – Midnight: Open Sky Movie Screening, Music Concert, Poetry, Bonfire & Storytelling.
Night: Sleep on ‘चारपाई’ under the starry sky.
Day 02 | 25th March, Wednesday
06:00 AM: Wakeup call to the sounds of nature.
06:30 – 07:30 AM: Morning Yoga session followed by breakfast at the farm.
07:30 – 08:00 AM: Meet & play with our pet cows.
08:00 – 09:30 AM: Departure. Bid Adieu.
Voices of the Soil
Kaluram Bamaniya
Padma Shri Folk Vocalist • Kabir & Bhakti Tradition. Preserving folk traditions through powerful bhajans.
Kabir Café
Contemporary Folk Fusion • Kabir’s Poetry in Modern Sound. Bringing 15th-century mystic poetry to contemporary audiences.
Mir Rajak Ali
Rajasthani Folk Singer • Sufiana Qalam. A soulful voice carrying the Sufi and folk traditions of Rajasthan.
Jashn-e-Qalam
Theatre Storytelling • Literary Performance. Weaving narrative and poetry into immersive theatrical experiences.
Why Malwa?
Imagine golden wheat fields swaying under an endless sky. Hear the resonant drone of the tambura across the open plains. In Malwa, the music isn’t just performed — it is lived. We invite you to experience this landscape not as a tourist, but as a seeker of the soul.
What to Expect
Dialogue & Chaupal
An open-air exchange between rural practitioners and urban seekers.
Village Walk
A guided stroll through the golden wheat fields and the heart of Lalakhedi.
साझा और रोटी पोहा (Sajha & Roti Poha)
Traditional welcome brunch served in a community kitchen.
Live Music Concert
Featuring Neeraj Arya’s Kabir Café & Kaluram Bamaniya under the vast sky.
Film Screening
Watching socially rooted cinema in the silence of nature.
Sleeping Under the Stars
A rare experience of resting on a “charpai” beneath the Milky Way.
Meet Our Pet Cows
Connecting with the gentle soul of the village through its animals.
Historical Heritage
Exploring the 70-year-old Haveli and local rural architecture.
Ready to join the movement?
Limited capacity • Priority for community builders & creators
Get in Touch
Have a question or want to volunteer? Send us a message.