More than 150 students and 50 teachers and principals from six schools took part in the India–Malaysia International Cultural Festival 2026, held from October 17 to 22, with participants from India, Malaysia and Indonesia.Organised by India’s Art & Aesthetics Foundation (TAAF), the festival featured music, dance, visual arts, masterclasses and educational activities across venues in Malaysia.The festival was inaugurated on October 17 at the Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose Indian Cultural Centre (NSCBICC) in Kuala Lumpur. The ceremony was attended by India’s High Commissioner to Malaysia, Somnath Ghosh, Deputy High Commissioner Hitesh Rajpal, and other dignitaries, artists and cultural representatives.Young participants presented classical, folk and contemporary performances reflecting the artistic traditions of their respective countries.A vocal masterclass led by New Delhi-based soprano and voice trainer Chanshim Makunga was held on October 19 at the Faculty of Creative Arts, University of Malaya. Makunga, who is from Manipur and an alumna of the Nagaland Conservatory of Music, specialises in Western classical and contemporary voice and choral music.The programme also included performances and educational engagements at the University of Cyberjaya and the University of Malaya, followed by a cultural programme in Ipoh. Senior artists, gurus and other resource persons took part in sessions combining artistic practice with cross-cultural learning.Through performances, workshops and collaborative activities, the festival provided opportunities for students to develop artistic skills, exchange ideas and interact with peers from different countries.The event brought together educational institutions, cultural organisations and artists, with a focus on cultural exchange, arts education and engagement among young people from the three participating countries.