MAM
The Leela Hosts Writers and Ideas at Jaipur Literature Festival 2026
MUMBAI: When Jaipur’s ideas were flying thick and fast, The Leela made sure there was a stylish pause between the paragraphs. As the Jaipur Literature Festival 2026 returned from January 15 to 19, The Leela Palaces, Hotels and Resorts partnered with the event to curate a layered cultural experience that married literary exchange with hospitality. At the heart of the association was A Literary Sojourn, a festival stay concept that offered curated access, immersive programming and The Leela’s signature attention to detail.
Over five days, The Leela Palace Jaipur hosted the Author’s Lounge, designed as a calm counterpoint to the festival’s buzzing sessions. Writers, thinkers and creators gathered here for conversations, music showcases and storytelling, while a wellness corner by Aujasya Spa introduced moments of quiet reset amid the intellectual marathon.
The space quickly became a favoured retreat. Actor and folk-pop singer Ila Arun described it as a mood-lifter, praising the balance between indulgence and lightness, from thoughtfully planned meals to the warmth of personalised service. Cultural writer Tripti Pandey echoed the sentiment, noting the lounge’s scale, the addition of spa experiences and the refined ambience that set it apart from conventional festival spaces.
Beyond discussions, the partnership extended into food as storytelling. Guests experienced a rotating culinary journey across The Leela Palace Jaipur’s dining venues from global and Rajasthani flavours at the Aravalli Dining Room, to modern Asian plates and botanical cocktails at the Amber Terrace, candlelit royal Indian degustations, Mediterranean-inspired menus at the Peacock Lounge, and heritage-style drinks at the Jharokha Bar.
The festival’s finale unfolded with the Writers’ Ball on January 19, hosted at The Leela Palace Jaipur. Literary figures and cultural voices gathered for an evening of conversation, live performances and celebration, with musician Kutle Khan taking centre stage as hospitality and cuisine anchored the night.
As Jaipur once again lived up to its reputation as a crossroads of ideas, The Leela’s JLF partnership positioned hospitality not as a backdrop, but as part of the narrative offering spaces to pause, reflect and reconnect before turning the next page.
MAM
Sunrise Spices hosts four day Bihu cultural showcase in Assam
56 groups perform across five tribal dance forms at April 14 to 17 event.
MUMBAI: Spice met spirit and the rhythm did the talking. Sunrise Spices brought more than flavour to the table this Rongali Bihu, wrapping culture, community and choreography into a four-day celebration that turned Assam’s festive mood into a living stage. Titled ‘Kristir Milan Setu – Bridge of Cultural Unity’, the event ran from April 14 to April 17, transforming the Bihu week into a showcase of the state’s diverse tribal heritage. Rather than a static celebration, the initiative leaned into performance spotlighting traditional dance forms and turning them into a participative, competitive experience.
Across the four days, 56 group performers from different communities took centre stage, representing five distinct dance traditions Assamese, Bodo, Karbi, Rabha and Mising. Each day unfolded like a cultural chapter, highlighting a different facet of Assam’s identity through rhythm, movement and storytelling.
The event culminated in a felicitation ceremony attended by Ravi Sarma, where winners were recognised across categories based on authenticity, coordination, expression and stage presence, an attempt to balance celebration with craft.
The finale dialled up the energy further with a Barabarani performance by the Tezpuriya Thespian Dance Group, closing the event on a high note that blended spectacle with tradition.
For Sunrise Spices, the play goes beyond cultural patronage. The brand, part of ITC Limited, has long positioned itself around regional authenticity whether through recipes or roots. With this initiative, it extends that narrative from the kitchen to the cultural arena, aligning food heritage with living traditions.
In a landscape where brand activations often chase visibility, this one leaned into identity using dance not just as performance, but as a reminder that culture, much like spice, is best experienced when it’s shared.
