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India will make its historic debut at the 1st Youth Delphic Games in Bishkek, leading a 65-member delegation of young artists. The participation marks a significant step in cultural diplomacy, reviving the ancient Pythian tradition through the Modern Pythian Games initiative.
Officials unveil the Modern Pythian Games flag (Image Source: Dynamite News)
New Delhi: India is set to participate for the first time in the 1st Youth Delphic Games of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO), to be held in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan, in March 2026. This marks the maiden official participation of an organised Indian youth artists’ delegation at an international cultural competition on the lines of global sporting events.
According to Dynamite News correspondent, a 65-member delegation, including 41 young artists from across India, will represent the country in multiple disciplines such as folk music, dance, piano, visual arts, arts and crafts, DJ arts, and singing. The team will depart on 22 March 2026. Participants come from Delhi, Himachal Pradesh, Karnataka, Uttar Pradesh, Gujarat, Rajasthan, West Bengal, Uttarakhand, and Haryana, reflecting India’s cultural diversity.
The Games are being organised by the Mayor of Bishkek in collaboration with the International Delphic Committee, Moscow. The Delphic Games are inspired by the ancient Pythian Games, historically held in Delphi, Greece, celebrating excellence in arts, music, poetry, and performance.
The modern revival of the Pythian tradition has been led by Bijender Goel, founder of the Modern Pythian Games. During the event, he will address a special SCO session, presenting a vision to transform arts and culture into a structured global industry. He is expected to emphasise youth empowerment, cultural diplomacy, and economic growth through a hybrid online-offline cultural ecosystem.
Ceremonial lamp lighting at the launch event (Image Source: Dynamite News)
The Indian delegation will be led by Shri B. H. Anilkumar (IAS Retd.) as Chief of Mission, with S. Siva Kumar as Deputy Chief of Mission. Renowned dancer Sandip Soparrakar will serve as Chief Choreographer and International Jury member. Bharatanatyam Guru Sneha Venkatramani and visual artist Sulbha Joshi have also been appointed to the International Jury.
The original Pythian Games, documented since 582 BC in Delphi, Greece, were among the world’s oldest cultural competitions. Unlike the ancient Olympic Games, which focused on athletics, the Pythian Games combined music, dance, poetry, and art. The Modern Pythian Games aim to restore this holistic artistic tradition on a global platform.
Since 2022, the Modern Pythian Games movement has organised international and national festivals in Delhi, Panchkula, and Bengaluru. Upcoming editions are planned in Ranchi (India), Dubai (2026), and Athens (2027), positioning the initiative as a growing force in global cultural sports and artistic diplomacy.
