Set amidst the forests, rolling hills and rivers of Jharkhand, the Seraikela-Kharsawan Living Heritage Festival, taking place from 30 October to 1 November 2026 at Ketunga, celebrates the vibrant cultural traditions of eastern India’s rural and indigenous communities. The festival brings together diverse expressions of Chhau dance, Baul music, Chadar Badar puppetry and natural-fibre crafts, creating a space for cultural exchange, learning and appreciation. As a significant centre of Chhau, Seraikela-Kharsawan represents a rich performance heritage shaped by martial traditions, folklore, music, movement and storytelling. The festival will showcase the distinctive styles of Seraikela, Kharsawan, Manbhum and Mayurbhanj Chhau, highlighting their unique aesthetics and evolving practices. Audiences can also experience the soulful songs and spiritual philosophy of Baul traditions and discover Chadar Badar, the Santhal community’s distinctive wooden puppetry tradition, which brings stories of everyday life and cultural memory to the stage. Workshops on Kashi grass and bamboo craft will offer insights into the skills, creativity and knowledge passed down through generations. Organised under Contact Base’s Roots to Prosperity initiative, the festival seeks to strengthen recognition for cultural practitioners, promote intangible cultural heritage-based tourism and support the safeguarding and transmission of living traditions for future generations.