Sutradhar2026
Threads of Tradition. Stories of India. Sunday 25 October 2026, 6 pm, Hidden Leaf, Shivamogga.
India was never minimal.
It was always at full saturation. The trailer for the second Sutradhar moves through palaces, temples, carved doorways and a map of India made of its fabrics, and lands on the theme for 2026: Threads of Tradition, Stories of India.
- Sunday 25 October 2026
- 6 pm
- Hidden Leaf, Shivamogga
- By invitation
Threads of Tradition
A sutradhar is the one who holds the threads: the storyteller of Indian theatre and puppetry. For 2026 the show takes its own name at its word.
Stories of India is a theme about colour, craft and cloth. The collections start from India's textiles and traditions and carry them onto a runway, made by KIDAT students in the studio in Shivamogga.
The invitation calls it an evening where stories come alive and creativity takes centre stage. Content required: designer names and collection titles
Casting the runway
Before the clothes, the people who wear them. Model auditions for Sutradhar 2026 were held in Bengaluru, with each candidate walking for a panel under the Sutradhar 2026 backdrop. Makeup artists were auditioned in Shivamogga in October, and chief stylist Sapna Raj is preparing the looks for the runway.
- Model auditionsKenstone Credit office, Ashok Nagar, Bengaluru
- Makeup artist auditionsKIDAT, Shivamogga
Partners
National Gold & Diamonds
A jewellery house from Thirthahalli and part of the National Group, founded nearly 50 years ago by Haji Sheik Ahmad. Gold, diamonds, silver and watches.
National's name stood behind every walk at the auditions and is on every invitation to the show.
Content required: National logo file
- Delphin Digital Academy
- AuctionDunia
- Sharini
- We6 Digital
- Models ManagementContent required: confirm full name
- Dheeraj Cubbo PhotographyContent required: confirm spelling
- Golden Events
- Hidden Leaf, Shivamogga
- Sapna RajInstagram
When and where is Sutradhar 2026?
Sutradhar 2026 is on Sunday 25 October 2026 at 6 pm, at Hidden Leaf, Shivamogga, the same venue as the 2025 edition.
How do I attend?
Entry is by invitation. To ask for one, call or WhatsApp KIDAT on 93803 76328, or write to [email protected]. Content required: confirm whether there is any public entry
What is the theme of Sutradhar 2026?
Threads of Tradition: Stories of India. The collections take their cue from the colour, craft and textiles of India, under the line that opens the trailer: India was never minimal.
Who is the title sponsor?
National Gold & Diamonds, the jewellery house from Thirthahalli founded nearly 50 years ago by Haji Sheik Ahmad. The associate partner is Delphin Digital Academy and the showcase partner is AuctionDunia.
Who designs the collections?
KIDAT students. Every piece is designed, cut and sewn in the KIDAT studio in Shivamogga, and shown on the runway by the models cast at the auditions. Content required: designer names
Where were the auditions held?
Model auditions were held in Bengaluru on 29 August 2026 at the Kenstone Credit office in Ashok Nagar. Makeup artist auditions followed on 7 October 2026 at KIDAT, Shivamogga.
Can my brand take part in Sutradhar?
Yes. Brands can co-host an edition or join as a collection, category, experience or community partner. See Partner with Sutradhar for how it works.
Co-host the next edition
Your material and your story, made into a collection by student designers, shown on the runway and carried across the city and the feed.