A brainchild of the Mahindra Group and the pioneering performing arts and entertainment company, Teamwork Arts, the 7th edition of the Mahindra Kabira Festival (MKF) is on its way back to Varanasi to celebrate the life, works and philosophy of the 15th century mystic-poet, Kabir, from 15th–17th December, 2023. Celebrating Kabir and the inherent wisdom of his verses through its varied programme offering, this year the festival brings together unique collaborations of artistes, cultural organisations and Kabir stalwarts.

To help orchestrate a festival of this scale and prestige, we welcome willing and enthusiastic volunteers to join the Mahindra Kabira family. Volunteers will form the backbone of the festival and therefore, we are looking for passionate, sincere and dedicated people who wish to work ‘behind the scenes’ and are keen to learn about production and hospitality. As a volunteer, you will get the opportunity to work closely with the festival producers, performers and artistes, as well as fellow volunteers from different demographic and educational backgrounds and audiences - all the while making the festival experience memorable for everyone!

Before applying to be a volunteer for MKF, please read the terms and conditions carefully:

• Registration for volunteering is open till 10^th November 2023.
• Applicants must be between 18 and 30 years of age. Those who have not turned 18 by 10^th September 2023 are not eligible to apply.
• First preference when selecting volunteers will go to those residing in Varanasi or having accommodation arrangements in Varanasi.
• Ensure that the details you have entered are correct and read through the form thoroughly before submitting.
• Once shortlisted, we will schedule personal interviews for applicants residing in Varanasi and the same will be intimated via email. Skype/telephonic interviews will be conducted for volunteers who have worked with us for other festivals, those who are applying for the first time and those who are based in any city other than Varanasi.
• All chosen volunteers should be doubly vaccinated against COVId-19. It is mandatory to submit your vaccination certificate while applying.
• Teamwork Arts will not take care of travel, transport and accommodation of outstation volunteers. However, we will be happy to suggest some economical options for your convenience.
• The training and interview process is mandatory.
• Once you have been allotted a department, no changes will be made. You are expected to respect the outcome of our volunteer selection process. While you will be assigned a specific department, you may be required to double up and take on additional roles when needed.
• We would appreciate a ten-day prior notice if any volunteer wishes to back out after they have been selected.
• The volunteers selected for the volunteer programme, who are not based in Varanasi, will be required to arrive in the city by the morning of 13th December 2023. The detailed venue walk, orientation, and team-building session will take place from 13th to 14th December, followed by three days of the festival and a half-day volunteer wrap-up session.
• The festival begins at 6:30 AM and continues until 10 PM. Consequently, volunteers will be expected to work from 5:30 AM to 11:00 PM (times are tentative and may vary for different departments). We strongly encourage all applicants to be available for the entire duration.
• Breakfast, lunch & dinner and/or refreshments will be provided during the festival. Volunteers are advised to carry basic refreshments like biscuits and fruits from home.
• All volunteers who are satisfactorily present throughout the training and festival days will receive a basic honorarium and certificate/letter of appreciation for their work after the festival.
• Selected volunteers will be assigned specific departments and duties (at the discretion of the organisers); which are listed below. These duties may change according to the requirements of the festival. Please read carefully.

Logistics (Transport & Accommodation)
Volunteers will be in charge of taking care of the itineraries of each of the delegates and artistes, organising appropriate transportation between airport/railway station, festival venues and hotels, and handling their accommodation. Volunteers will be stationed at the airport, railway station and ghats and might be required to work irregular hours. One of the most stimulating albeit most challenging departments, logistics, requires meticulous time-keeping and multitasking skills. Volunteers in this department must be quick thinkers and be able to tackle any problem(s) that may arise and be courteous at all times.

Venue Management
Volunteers will be responsible for ensuring that their respective venues are prepared before each performance. They will assist their venue manager in crowd management, ushering, green room coordination, and addressing any other tasks that may arise. Volunteers must ensure that all essential needs are met, including stocking green rooms with water and refreshments. Similar to other roles, it's important to be agile, patient, and polite. While you may have the privilege of enjoying performances by some of the country's finest musicians and artists from a front-row seat, your primary focus should be on ensuring the seamless operation of your venue.

Artiste Liaison
Volunteers will receive all performing artistes, assist them through the day, and ensure they are prepared and at the venue for their sound-check and performance. Being truly hospitable and warm, and making a concerted effort to fulfil every request from the artiste are the prime responsibilities of artiste-liaison volunteers. You will also be responsible for maintaining the atmosphere of the green room.

Delegate Management
The delegate experience that is offered at the festival is one-of-its-kind. Volunteers will be assigned to each of our festival hotels and will be responsible for ensuring that delegates are looked after. This includes manning the enquiry desk at the reception, closely working with the staff at the hotel, ensuring that their shuttles are ready, escorting delegates to their cabs/boat rides, among other tasks.

Food and Beverage Management
Volunteers in the department will need to ensure that our green rooms are stocked with refreshments, venues provided with adequate bottles of water and meals laid out on time for artistes, delegates and crew. Volunteers will also need to help manage crowds during peak hours.

Become a part of our family and understand the coming together of logic, science, and the art in putting together a festival of this size and scale. We look forward to receiving your applications and working with you!