The 94-year-old Veena maestro R Visweswaran received a standing ovation from the audience as he received the ‘Kala Sarathi Award 2025’. A mesmerizing performance of tabla recital by India’s first professional tabla player Anuradha Pal in tribute to Ustad Zakir Hussain; an emotional Sufi rendition by Delhi Darbar’s Sufi singer Wusat Iqbal Khan; a mesmerizing dance performance by leading Marathi actress Prajakta Mali; and a heartwarming interaction by the artists with the creator of this divine cultural festival, global humanitarian Gurudev Sri Sri Ravi Shankar – the third edition of ‘Bhaav-The Expressions Summit 2025’ drew to a close in a unique manner as the audience reveled in art, music, dance and India’s diverse classical and folk art traditions.
“It is an art to be a good connoisseur and you can appreciate an art form only when you are free from stress and anxiety,” said Gurudev in his interaction with the artists, “When we are completely immersed in sound, the mind becomes calm.”
For over forty years, through the Art of Living, Gurudev’s vision has shown the world that “art can be a platform that brings together people of all races, populations, age groups, interests and viewpoints to celebrate,” Smt. Srividya Varchasvi, Director, World Forum for Art and Culture, told the audience.
Reiterating the core philosophy of Bhaav, “Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam”, Wusat Iqbal shared that Gurudev’s teachings were very similar to those of his Sufi Guru, “The whole world is one family, this is what we believe in Sufism, that love is the most reliable religion.”
What was special about this year was that the summit managed to beautifully combine art and performance with spirituality. Each performance was soulful, and all the artists took time out and took their inner journey through meditation, as well as learning the powerful breathing technique of Sudarshan Kriya in the pure and high energy environment of the Art of Living International Center.
"The Bhaav showed me a different world," shared Padmashri Manjamma Jogathi, "I was very happy after the meditation. Gurudev Sri Sri Ravi Shankar united artists, worshipers and patrons of the arts. It was a platform of equality. I was very happy that such a wonderful event took place, where there was no discrimination of caste and gender. I felt like I was in another country. I cannot express in words what I experienced."
This year, space was made for art and artists from every community, and the summit also honored the contribution of the transgender community, who have enriched the eternal cultural fabric of India.
Art of Living presented India’s largest live performance ‘Sita Charitam’, bringing together 500 artists, 30 dance, music and art forms. The performance will travel across 180 countries and features a unique script drawn from over 20 versions of the Ramayana, with songs in various indigenous languages.
The festival began with a grand opening of Deepotsav, amidst recitation of shlokas by respected personalities like Gurudev Sri Sri Ravi Shankar; Padma Vibhushan Dr. Sonal Man Singh; Padma Shri Om Prakash Sharma, who revolutionized maach theatre; Kathak legend Manisha Sathe; Padma Shri Uma Maheshwari, Harikatha maestro from Andhra Pradesh, was also present on the occasion.
Respecting the diversity of this year’s 600 artists, veterans and budding talents, Gajendra Singh Shekhawat, Minister of Tourism and Culture, Government of India, called the gathering a “Kumbh of artists and practitioners of the arts”.