Mahindra Group has announced the debut of its latest cultural initiative — Roots at Mahindra University, a one-day festival that seamlessly connects ancient traditions with the energy of today’s youth. The festival, conceived and co-created by students of Mahindra University, aims to turn heritage into a living, evolving dialogue rather than a static display.
Designed as a platform where legacy art forms meet modern creativity, Roots at Mahindra University celebrates the diversity of India’s cultural fabric while ensuring it remains relevant in contemporary spaces. The initiative marks Mahindra Group’s continued commitment to empowering young people as custodians of India’s cultural future.
A Line-Up That Reflects India’s Living Heritage
The festival’s impressive artist roster is a reflection of its philosophy — where folk, fusion, and innovation converge. Headlining the event are:
- The Raghu Dixit Project, pioneers of India’s folk-rock movement who have reimagined Kannada folk poetry for audiences worldwide.
- Swarathma, known for their vibrant blend of music and activism that tackles environmental, social, and cultural themes.
- Alif (Mohammed Muneem Nazir), the Kashmiri poet and singer-songwriter celebrated for his work on Coke Studio Bharat and Made In Heaven, whose music explores identity, longing, and resilience.
- Hamza Rahimtula + Rajasthan Folkstars, featuring a groundbreaking fusion between electronic DJing and Manganiyar traditions, led by Khartal maestro Jaisa Khan and Firoz Khan on the Bhapang and Morchang.
- Gotte Kanakavva, the 65-year-old daily-wage worker turned folk icon, renowned for preserving the Bathukamma song tradition.
- Arko and Friends ft. Gaboo, bringing together the best of Bollywood and indie experimentation for a fresh cross-genre collaboration.
“Not Nostalgia, but a Generational Mandate”
“Young people often express the need to reconnect to India’s artistic traditions and believe they must shoulder the responsibility to both preserve and reinvent them. Roots is a manifestation of this belief. This is not nostalgia but a generational mandate. It’s their way of saying that culture is not a museum exhibit but alive and belongs in the present to the young,” said Jay Shah, Vice President and Head – Cultural Outreach, Mahindra & Mahindra.
Built by Students, for the Next Generation
Echoing the same sentiment, Dr. Yajulu Medury, Vice Chancellor of Mahindra University, added, “Roots is not a festival planned from the top down. The very generation it endeavours to inspire is the one building it from the ground up — not just as volunteers but as cultural entrepreneurs. The line-up embodies this ethos of preserving the past while making it relevant for the future.”
A Movement, Not Just a Festival
Roots at Mahindra University goes beyond performances — it is envisioned as a cultural movement, demonstrating how today’s youth can sustain the chain of memory and redefine what it means to be the guardians of India’s heritage in a modern context.
