“There are some places that do not merely host a celebration; they become part of its story.”

On 22nd August 2026, Lucknow did just that as the four-day Celesta International 2026, organised by CMS Aliganj Campus I, opened with Nazakat at the World Unity Convention Centre, CMS Kanpur Road.

With nearly 500 students and team leaders from Thailand, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh and different parts of India, alongside music experts from Namibia, Kenya and Myanmar, the global cultural olympiad brought together young talent and cultural voices from across borders. Yet, at its heart, the opening remained unmistakably Lakhnawi— gracious, soulful and steeped in tehzeeb, which defines the soul of our ‘Nawabon ka Shehar’.

An Evening Draped in ‘Awadhi’ Elegance

The inaugural celebration unfolded as a luminous Sham-e-Awadh, evoking the many textures of the city that once housed the Nawabs. Chikankari and Zardozi, Folk Music and Shayari, Baithak and Dastangoi, Kathak and Qawwali came together to create an evening that was as much a cultural experience as it was an introduction to Celesta.

The ceremony was formally inaugurated by our Hon’ble Chief Guest Ustad Kamal Sabri, Global Ambassador of Sarangi and Indian Classical Music, who lit the ceremonial lamp in the presence of Shri Manish Tripathi, celebrated fashion designer and CMS alumnus known for designing the attire of Ram Lalla at the Ayodhya temple; Himanshu Bajpai, renowned storyteller, author and journalist; CMS Managing Director Prof. Geeta Gandhi Kingdon; and Mrs Shivani Singh, Principal of CMS Aliganj Campus I and Convenor of Celesta International 2026.

The ceremonial moment led into the grand unveiling of the Celesta logo, woven into ‘Dastan-e-Awadh’— a celebration of the region’s history, harmony and artistic inheritance.

The opening came alive with the evocative strains of the sarangi as Ustad Kamal Sabri filled the auditorium with music that seemed to carry the soul of Awadh within it. His performance was not merely heard; it stayed with us, much like the lingering cadence of a well-told ghazal.

The spirit of storytelling found its own vibrant expression when Himanshu Bajpai joined the celebrations with a spirited dastangoi, offering delightful tales from Lucknow, in his ‘UP wala andaaz’.

A Grand Cultural Welcome

The participating teams were welcomed through ‘Nazakat-e-Isteqbaal’, a graceful welcome dance that set the tone for an evening shaped by elegance and warmth.

This was followed by ‘Saanjh-e-Awadh’, a presentation tracing the legacy of Awadh’s last Nawab; ‘Ibaadat’, a soulful Sufiana rendition; and an all-faith prayer that reflected Lucknow’s enduring Ganga-Jamuni tehzeeb — a cultural ethos rooted in coexistence, mutual respect and shared humanity.

The evening moved seamlessly from the local to the universal with ‘Rhythms of Humanity’, a world-unity prayer, and ‘Symphony Beyond Borders’, a vibrant fusion of Western and Indian musical traditions.

Together, these performances transformed the inaugural ceremony into a celebration of both cultural pride and cultural exchange, earning sustained applause from an enthralled audience.

A Shared Vision of Unity

Welcoming the students and team leaders from India and abroad, CMS Founder-Director Dr Bharti Gandhi spoke of the larger purpose behind the International Cultural Olympiad — to nurture in children the values of unity, tolerance, love and peace.

CMS Managing Director Prof. Geeta Gandhi Kingdon described Celesta International as a celebration of diversity, creativity, cultural pride, environmental sensitivity and global friendship. She highlighted the opportunity for students from different countries to express the idea of ‘Unity in Diversity’ through creative and knowledge-enhancing competitions, while introducing the world to the heritage and culture of Lucknow, the capital of Uttar Pradesh.

For Mrs Shivani Singh, Principal of CMS Aliganj Campus I and Convenor of Celesta International 2026, the Olympiad carries an equally important human purpose — to develop young talent while nurturing their human and spiritual outlook.

Insightful Conversations Before the Celebration

The day had begun with an engaging press conference, where participating students and team leaders interacted with journalists and spoke candidly about their expectations from Celesta International.

Students from Ayoma Dance Academy, Sri Lanka, expressed their enthusiasm at having a platform to showcase their talent and sharpen their abilities. Students from Sabhyata Pathshala, Lumbini, Nepal, described the Olympiad as a meaningful initiative for giving creative direction to the future generation.

Meanwhile, students from Global Indian International School, Bangkok, Thailand, looked forward to giving their best across the Celesta competitions.

Across these conversations, one sentiment resonated strongly: Celesta was being seen not simply as a competition, but as an opportunity to learn, perform, connect and build friendships across cultures.

In the music of the sarangi, the cadence of dastangoi, the grace of Kathak, the resonance of qawwali and ghazal, and the warmth of a city famed for its adaab, Lucknow offered the visiting world something more enduring than spectacle. It offered a way of being together. Here are a few glimpses…