Agra, India – February 18, 2025 – The Pandit Jasraj Cultural Foundation, established by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, proudly announces the first annual HSBC Taj o Taj Festival, a vibrant celebration of Indian culture and heritage set against the majestic backdrop of the Taj Mahal. This historic event will take place at Gyarah Siddhi park, near Mahtab Bagh, Nagla Devjit, Agra, on February 22nd and 23rd, 2025, from 3:30 pm until sunset.
This two-day festival is a collaborative effort with the Government of Uttar Pradesh, the Ministry of Tourism – UP, the Agra Development Authority (ADA), and Taj Mahotsav. The Foundation gratefully acknowledges the support of Indian Oil (IOCL) and Voltas Beko.
Uttar Pradesh, a land rich in cultural heritage, has long inspired India’s performing arts, much of which stems from Lord Krishna’s Leela. The HSBC Taj o Taj Festival aims to preserve and promote these traditions, showcasing them to a global audience against the backdrop of one of the world’s most iconic monuments. This marks the return of a major festival to Gyarah Siddhi after more than two decades.
Durga Jasraj, speaking on behalf of the Foundation, emphasized their commitment to enriching Indian culture and expressed a sense of responsibility since the Foundation’s launch by Prime Minister Modi. She believes the Taj Mahal provides the perfect setting for a festival that will attract tourists worldwide and highlight India’s cultural confluence.
Sandeep Batra, Head of International Wealth and Premier Banking at HSBC India, expressed his honor in being part of the Taj o Taj Festival. He highlighted the festival’s role in showcasing India’s rich cultural tapestry and connecting people to opportunities. HSBC sees this partnership as a bridge between the past and future, celebrating India’s majestic cultural history.
Festival Performance Schedule:
Day 1 – February 22, 2025:
- Haveli Sangeet: This ancient form of traditional Indian music, originating as ‘Pushtimargi Sangeet’ and typically performed in Krishna temples, will be presented by Pt. Ratan Mohan Sharma and Ankita Joshi, accompanied by Sunil Avchhat (Flute), Ramakrishna Karambelkar (Tabla), Abhinay Ravande (Harmonium), Omkar Dalvi (Pakhawaj), Uddav Khumbar (Indi-Percs), Devendra Chitnis, Vivek Naik, Purti Joshi, Divya Tawde (Chorus).
- Ghazals: A curated performance paying tribute to Ghazal legends like Jagjit Singh, Mehdi Hassan, and Begum Akhtar, will feature Pratibha Singh Baghel and Maestro Deepak Pandit, accompanied by Prashant Sonagra (Tabla), Atul Raninga (Keyboards), Akhlak Hussain Varsi (Harmonium), and Arshad Khan (Irshad).
Day 2 – February 23, 2025:
- DHAA – A Tribute to Ustad Zakir Hussain: A percussion duet featuring Maestro Taufiq Qureshi and Shikhar Naad Qureshi on Djembe & Drums, with Abhinay Ravande (Harmonium), will honor the globally admired Ustad Zakir Hussain.
- Legendary Wadalis: The festival’s grand finale will be a Sufi-Qawwali performance by Padma Shri Ustad Puran Chand Wadali and Akademi Yuva Puraskar Awardee Lakhwinder Wadali, accompanied by Aslam (Tabla), Rakesh Kumar (Dholak), Ashwani (Dhol), Munish Kumar & Ajay Pal (Keyboards), Rajinder Kumar (Octapad), Ajay Singh (Lead Guitar), Keshav Chandra (Bass Guitar), Vikrant (Drums), Subhash Singh, Ajay Kumar, Jai Karan Singh & Gagandeep Kumar (Chorus).
