Sopaan Presents AIKYAM 2026, Bringing Art, Heritage and Living Traditions to Vadodara and Champaner

Sopaan will present the second edition of AIKYAM, titled Rasa & Realism, from October 9 to 11, 2026, across Vadodara and Champaner. The three-day programme will bring together artists, historians, architects, collectors, cultural practitioners, diplomats, members of royal families, art patrons and corporate leaders.

Founded by former Indian Ambassador Monika Kapil Mohta and cultural entrepreneur Siddhaant Mohta, AIKYAM focuses on India’s cultural heritage and its relevance to contemporary audiences.

The 2026 edition is supported by Gujarat Tourism, Dr Radhikaraje Gaekwad, Dr Hemang Joshi, Member of Parliament (Lok Sabha) from Vadodara, Incredible India, Vadodara Municipal Corporation and Baroda Heritage Trust, with the European Union Delegation to India as a partner.

The programme will explore Vadodara’s cultural landscape through the theme Rasa & Realism, with a focus on the legacy of Raja Ravi Varma and his contribution to modern Indian art.

Commenting on the initiative, Siddhaant Mohta, Director, Sopaan said, “Gujarat has emerged as one of India’s most compelling travel destinations, attracting visitors from India and around the world with its rich history, architecture, crafts, cuisine, spirituality and vibrant cultural traditions. For Sopaan, it was a natural choice for AIKYAM, given the state’s remarkable cultural landscape and Vadodara’s unique legacy of art and patronage, particularly its association with the Gaekwad dynasty and Raja Ravi Varma. With Rasa & Realism, we wanted to bring this history alive through art, performance and conversation, while offering audiences an opportunity to experience Gujarat’s heritage as something living, evolving and relevant to the world today.”

The historic Lukshmi Vilas Palace will be one of the key venues for AIKYAM 2026.

One of the highlights will be Myth Made Manifest, a theatrical presentation inspired by the works of Raja Ravi Varma. The presentation will explore themes including divinity, femininity, identity and human emotion.

The programme will feature a classical ballet under the creative direction of internationally acclaimed artist Gauri Sharma Tripathi, with artists from the UK, Sweden, Poland, Croatia, Spain, Italy and Peru. Switzerland, Austria and The Netherlands will join the programme as partner countries.

Shri Arun Mahesh Babu, Municipal Corporation, Vadodara said, “Aikyam is a celebration of India’s rich cultural diversity and the living traditions that have shaped our collective identity over generations. By bringing together diverse artistic expressions and cultural narratives, the event offers a meaningful platform for dialogue, exchange and a deeper appreciation of our shared heritage. Vadodara has a longstanding legacy of supporting art, culture and creative expression and we are looking forward to host such an initiative that reflects this spirit. Aikyam reminds us that when diverse cultures come together while retaining their distinct identities, they create something larger, richer and truly representative of India’s cultural fabric.”

AIKYAM 2026 will also feature Conversations on Art, a series of sessions examining Vadodara’s artistic legacy, Raja Ravi Varma’s influence and the exchange between Indian and European artistic traditions.

Author and art historian Manu S. Pillai will speak on Raja Ravi Varma and his contribution to Indian art. The sessions will also feature Deborah Swallow, an expert on Indian art, and Nick Booker of Indogenius.

The event is expected to bring together 25 ambassadors, along with senior diplomats, art patrons, experts, corporate leaders, media and influencers, and members of royal families from across India.

The programme will extend beyond Vadodara to other parts of Gujarat. Participants will visit the Champaner-Pavagadh Archaeological Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and experience the Garba celebrations of Navratri, recognised by UNESCO as an Intangible Cultural Heritage.

The programme will also include experiences around the region’s architecture, crafts and living traditions.

AIKYAM comes as cultural experiences continue to play a role in travel. According to Skyscanner’s 2025 Cultural Tourism Report, 82% of Indian travellers said they were prioritising destinations for their cultural offerings, including festivals, heritage sites and local experiences.

India recorded 20.22 million international tourist arrivals and 4.29 billion domestic tourist visits in 2025, according to Ministry of Tourism data. The country has 45 properties on the UNESCO World Heritage List, including 37 cultural properties.

The Champaner-Pavagadh Archaeological Park was added to the UNESCO World Heritage List in 2004.

Through AIKYAM 2026, Sopaan will bring together different aspects of India’s cultural heritage, including architecture, classical performance, painting, craft, storytelling and contemporary interpretations.

The initiative is supported by corporate and industry partners including Vadilal, VFS Global, Piramal, Deepak Nitrite, Endurance, Vazir Group, Usha Breco, Federation of Gujarat Industries, CBSL Group, Gujarat Alkalies and Chemicals Limited (GACL), Gujarat State Fertilizers & Chemicals Limited, Sacheerome, Gujarat Energy, Dixon, IndiGo and Rubamin.