The serene Mughal-era gardens of Sunder Nursery will once again echo with the sounds of devotion, poetry, and mysticism as the Sufi Heritage Festival returns for its second edition on February 28 and March 1, 2026 (2–10 PM). Conceptualised by Yasmin Kidwai and Himanshu Anand under Culture Plus, and powered by Aadyam Handwoven (an Aditya Birla initiative), the festival seeks to recast Sufism not as a relic of the past, but as a vibrant and evolving cultural practice that continues to inspire contemporary expression.
Rooted in Delhi’s centuries-old Sufi lineage, the festival unfolds through immersive segments—Samaa (The Grand Stage), Bebaak (New Voices, New Expressions), Kargaah (The Craft & Knowledge Hub), The Sufi Bazaar, and Legacy Flavours, a curated culinary journey. Each segment collectively explores how Sufism transcends nostalgia, finding new life in music, craft, dialogue, and shared community spaces.
Spiritual Music and Artistic Experimentation
The Samaa stage will bring together celebrated performers across two evenings. Day 1 features Satpal Wadali, Amandeep Singh & Rahul Shah with their poetic tribute Haal Faqeeran Da, and Sona Mohapatra as the headlining act weaving devotion with fearless modernity. On Day 2, Marham, Maati Baani, and the legendary Daler Mehndi will offer an eclectic mix of introspective and high-energy performances culminating in Soul to Supreme, Mehndi’s contemplative new work.
Bebaak, co-curated by Aadyam Handwoven, highlights daring voices redefining spiritual and artistic boundaries. The programme spans from Sonam Kalra’s inclusive devotional rendering and Shinjini Kulkarni’s dynamic Kathak piece Main Jodha Main Akbar to The Aahvaan Project’s performative reflection on identity, Main Bhi Khadi Hoon. Day 2 extends the dialogue through conversations, poetry, and immersive music by Murad Ali Khan and the Saurang Ensemble.
Craft, Cuisine, and Community
Extending Sufism into the tactile and sensorial, Legacy Flavours, a food pop-up curated with QNO, will open at 12:30 PM each day, serving heritage cuisines from across India and beyond, including recipes by Chef Osama Jalali, Draavin Canteen, and Laal Haleem House. Meanwhile, the Sufi Bazaar, co-curated by Yasmin Kidwai and Manish Saksena, will showcase 15 handpicked brands offering heirloom crafts, handwoven textiles, jewellery, perfumery, and sustainable design—from Ashtar and Translate – Handwoven Ikat to NASO Profumi and Zishta.
The Kiran Nadar Museum of Art (KNMA) curates the workshop series this year, offering hands-on sessions such as Printing Sufi Spaces (lino printmaking inspired by Mughal motifs), Whirling Dervish (felt craft), and Sacred Words (Urdu calligraphy embossing), blending learning with cultural appreciation.
A Vision of Living Culture
“The festival reflects Delhi’s syncretic spirit—its ability to hold difference with grace, curiosity, and warmth,” said co-founder Yasmin Kidwai. “We want to create open spaces where Sufi thought and music are experienced as living traditions, not museum pieces.”
Her co-founder Himanshu Anand added, “Sufism continues to evolve and speak to the present. Our goal is to build experiences that feel fresh and emotionally resonant, engaging contemporary audiences with authenticity.”
Echoing this philosophy, Manish Saksena of Aadyam Handwoven described the event as an extension of their #CultureBeyondTextiles initiative: “Through Bebaak, we’re celebrating boldness and fearlessness across music, dance, and spoken word.”
Tickets and Access
The Sufi Heritage Festival will take place on February 28–March 1, 2026, from 2 PM to 10 PM at Sunder Nursery, New Delhi.
Tickets are available online at district.in/events/sufi-heritage-festival-feb28-2026-buy-tickets.
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