DakshinaChitra’s LangFest 2026 makes space for the pluralities of voices in history

DakshinaChitra is back with its annual LangFest and this time, it carries a little bit of history with it. A tradition followed since 2021, this year’s edition (the sixth) will play out under the theme of Histories in Plural.

“LangFest is an ideas and arts festival. Each year we have explored various themes, brought very interesting people from across India,” says Anitha Pottamkulam, director, culture at DakshinaChitra museum, and the curator of the festival.

Through its panel discussions and artistic performances lined up for the two-day event (February 28 and March 1), the fest aims to combat the idea of a single historical truth by acknowledging the multiplicities existing in history.

“Whether it’s micro or macro, history is all around us – history gives us context and helps us understand certain events that have happened, certain decisions that have been made. I think a better informed and more appreciation of the pluralities of history is always good for all of us”, says Anitha.

‘Polyphony Sounds Better’ will see a discussion featuring senior musician Sangeetha Sivakumar and other artistes.
| Photo Credit:
Special Arrangement

The festival explores histories across various genres including those of cinema, cities, and business.

On day 1, apart from a host of other discussions, filmmaker TJ Gnanavel will be having a conversation on the genre of historical films as well as his movie Jai Bhim with journalist Sashi Kumar who also directed the feature film Kaya Taran.

Giving context to this event, Anitha says that history has also become a cinematic bestseller. “I think there is a lot of appreciation for multiplicities of history also in the mainstream cinema circuit and that’s an interesting aspect. Directors will speak from the lens of their own experience,” she adds.

Day 1 will also see a musical performance by Tharun Sekar’s band Uru Paanar that has become a pioneer in reviving ancient Tamil instruments like the Yazh. SiSu, a member of the band, says, “We put out our album last year called Thol and that’s an act that we have been performing since. In LangFest, we also have some new songs. It is really an immersive experience to see the instruments that we play with like the yazh and kudamuzha.”

The band will be performing a set of 10 to 12 songs, including instrumental pieces. “We find instrumental pieces to be more soothing”, he adds.

Janaki Nair will be featuring in an event called ‘History for Peace’ on February 28.
| Photo Credit:
Special Arrangement

Opening with a musical performance, day 2 events include discussions on the history of the feminist movement as well as business histories. The latter will feature senior economic and business historian Raman Mahadevan in conversation with journalist, author, and policy analyst Harish Damodaran.

On the same day, Chronicler of Cities will see a discussion featuring journalist and author Sidharth Bhatia, author and technical documentation professional Nandakumar Melethil, and filmmaker, historian, and independent researcher Kombai S Anwar.

Embracing the theme of pluralities in art forms, the last day will also feature a discussion about music not being restricted to a single genre. This programme titled Polyphony Sounds Better will feature senior musician Sangeetha Sivakumar in talks with record producer, singer, and songwriter of Ro, Kattaikuttu performer and theatre artist P Thilagavathi, and folk artist and cultural educator Deepan.

“This is a great place for us to bring in the creative and culturally curious people of Chennai to come listen, interact, understand and really go back having had a good time”, says Anitha.

DakshinaChitra LangFest 2026, themed ‘Histories in Plural’, will be held from February 28 and March 1, from 10am to 6pm at the DakshinaChitra Museum, ECR, Chennai.

Published – February 05, 2026 05:50 pm IST