From Calvin Harris to Karan Aujla, what everyone will be stepping out for this April

April in India feels like a shift in mood. The weather is warmer, the evenings stretch longer, and the cultural calendar begins to fill up with events that bring people out and together. Across the country, April is less about spectacle and more about experience, whether that is discovering a new artist, revisiting a familiar one, or simply being part of a crowd that feels alive.

This month, the line-up moves easily between contemporary art and global music. Names like Laila Khan Furniturewalla, Subodh Gupta, KS Radhakrishnan, and Soumya Sankar Bose anchor the art scene, while performers like Calvin Harris, Karan Aujla and Scorpions bring the energy up. 

Here is everything worth stepping out for this April:

Alchemy of Light by Laila Khan Furniturewalla

Alchemy of Light, a group exhibition curated by Bina Aziz and supported by Midas Touch, which has sponsored the gold leaf, sees Laila Khan Furniturewalla bring her introspective, spiritually rooted practice into focus. It explores devotion as a living force, where metal, pigment, acrylic, and gold leaf become vessels for luminosity. Moving between opacity and reflection, the works treat gold not as ornament but as light itself. Rooted in abstraction, the series reflects on reverence as a quiet, embodied force, revealed through depth and radiance.

Where: Les Trésors Art Gallery, Worli, Mumbai
When: April 11

The Lil Flea

A favourite on Mumbai’s social calendar, this edition of The Lil Flea brings together independent brands, vintage finds, music and food in one lively space. It is less about shopping and more about the atmosphere, with performances, installations and a steady buzz that lasts all day.

Where: Jio World Garden, BKC, Mumbai
When: April 3 to April 5, and April 10 to April 12

Karan Aujla Live

Karan Aujla continues to draw massive crowds with his peppy music and sharp lyrics. His April performance in Mumbai promises a high-energy night that moves between critically acclaimed tracks and crowd favourites.

Where: Mahalaxmi Race Course, Mumbai
When: April 12

Calvin Harris Live

One of the biggest names in global electronic music, Calvin Harris, is set to headline a night that will likely define Mumbai’s party calendar this season. Expect big drops, familiar hits and a crowd ready to dance till late.

Where: Infinity Bay, MPT, Sewri, Mumbai
When: April 18

Sitar for Mental Health by Rishab Rikhiram Sharma

Rishab Rikhiram Sharma presents Sitar for Mental Health, a concert designed for relaxation and inner peace. Drawing from centuries of classical tradition while embracing innovation, the sitar's ancient sound is blended with modern electronic elements. With powerful soundscapes like Chanakya, The Burning Ghat, and Roslyn, he is set to guide the audience through a meditative journey. 

Where: IG Indoor Stadium, Delhi
When: April 19

Scorpions Coming Home Tour

Rock music fans have a reason to show up this month as Scorpions bring their Coming Home tour to India. Expect a setlist that leans into nostalgia, with classic anthems that have defined the band’s decades-long career.

Where: Jio World Garden, BKC, Mumbai
When: April 30

A Fistful of Sky by Subodh Gupta

In this new exhibition, Subodh Gupta returns with works that continue to explore material, memory and everyday objects. The show feels both expansive and personal, drawing viewers into narratives that are rooted in India yet globally resonant.

Where: Art House, Nita Mukesh Ambani Cultural Centre
When: April 3 to May 17

Through the Artist’s Eye by Stuart Robertson

This presentation by British artist Stuart Robertson offers a perspective shaped by observation and detail. The works were created during an 18-month residency at Dr Shroff’s Charity Eye Hospital in Daryaganj, New Delhi. Working across photography, drawing, bronze sculpture and cyanotype, Robertson offers an intimate and deeply human portrait of one of India’s most respected charitable eye institutions.

Where: Bikaner House Centre for Contemporary Art (CCA), New Delhi
When: April 27

A Botanist in the Field: The Kashmir Archives by PN Kohli

PN Kohli’s archival work brings together science and art, documenting Kashmir’s botanical history through a deeply personal lens. It is a quiet, reflective show that lingers long after viewing.

Where: Chatterjee & Lal, Fort, Mumbai
When: Until April 9

Once Upon a Sculptor by KS Radhakrishnan

KS Radhakrishnan brings together a body of work that reflects his long engagement with form and movement. The sculptures carry a sense of quiet storytelling, inviting viewers to slow down and look closer.

Where: Chawla Art Gallery, New Delhi
When: Until April 30

We Need To Talk in Whispers by Soumya Sankar Bose

In this exhibition, Soumya Sankar Bose explores themes of memory, identity and silence through layered visual storytelling. The work is subtle but emotionally charged, asking viewers to engage closely.

Where: Experimenter, Ballygunge Place, Kolkata
When: April 2 to June 6

Lead image: Getty

Also read: Out of frame: How three emerging photographers are redefining the fashion gaze

Also read: What to watch in April: Your guide to the month’s biggest releases in theatres and OTT