Mumbai, 17th July 2024 : The 23rd edition of this function, which was conceptualized and inaugurated by late maestro Pankaj Udhas as the Khazana Ghazal Festival, will now be held on July 26-27, 2024, at 7:00 pm at Trident, Nariman Point. This time, the festival becomes Uspecial since it will be dedicated to the memory of Padmashri Pankaj Udhas, who left for his heavenly abode early this year. Presented by Trident and Union Bank of India, with partners like Ginger PR and Hungama Artist Aloud amongst others, it is going to be a never-forgettable evening of ghazal music.
According to Farida Pankaj Udhas, President of the Parents’ Association Thalassemic Unit Trust, this will not only bring to limelight the ghazal talents but also help the cancer patients and the thalassemic children. She added, “At the heart of this transformative movement was one man, Pankaj Udhas, whose vision attracted a community of kindred spirits. He poured his heart into the cause, propelling it to unparalleled heights.”.
What started as a passion for ghazals evolved into an event that would become an annual feature—the Khazana, a Festival of Ghazals. Today, it continues to serve as a beacon of hope by promoting new talent and supporting the causes that are noble in every way. On July 26th and 27th, Trident at Nariman Point, Mumbai, plays host again to twenty-five years of Pankaj Udhas’ rare blend of contributions, coming together in the spirit of giving through music.
For the past two decades now, Khazana has become one platform that brings artists and music connoisseurs together to raise money for CPAA and PATUT’s noble cause of supporting cancer patients and thalassemic children. This time, the festival shall be graced by prominent artists like Anup Jalota, Talat Aziz, Hariharan, Rekha Bhardwaj, Vishal Bhardwaj, Kavita Seth, and Papon—to name a few. It will include some special recitations and renderings focused on perpetuating Udhas’ legacy and promoting causes dearest to his heart.
Under the aegis of PATUT, the festival celebrates not only ghazal music but has also become a beacon of Udhas’ crusade for thalassemia patients. Sponsors such as Oberoi Hotels continue to patronize the event, which goes on as a commitment resonant over the years for charitable causes like these.
Though Khazana—a Festival of Ghazals—has been playing a lead role in carrying on the spirit of Indian music, it has been touchingly contributing towards the welfare of the less privileged.
