Ustad Allauddin Khan Sangeet Evam Kala Akademi

The Ustad Allauddin Khan Sangeet Evam Kala Akademi is a state-level arts academy established by the Government of Madhya Pradesh in 1952 (originally as Madhya Pradesh Kala Parishad) to protect, preserve, and develop Indian classical music, dance, drama, and other performing arts. Named after the legendary maestro Ustad Allauddin Khan — founder of the Maihar Gharana and teacher of Ravi Shankar and Ali Akbar Khan — the Akademi organises several flagship cultural events. These include the Khajuraho Dance Festival, the Ustad Allauddin Khan Samaroh, and the Tansen Samaroh, placing Madhya Pradesh at the centre of India's classical arts calendar. The Akademi's most prominent event, the Khajuraho Dance Festival, brings together India's finest classical dancers every February at the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Khajuraho, and includes the Rashtriya Baal Nritya Mahotsav — a dedicated national platform for young classical dancers.