iWorld
HCL Concerts partners Jashn-e-Rekhta 2025 as exclusive music lead
NEW DELHI: HCL Concerts has teamed up with the Rekhta Foundation as the exclusive music partner for Jashn-e-Rekhta 2025, adding fresh energy to the much-loved Urdu festival set for 5 to 7 December at Baansera Park in New Delhi.
For nearly a decade, Jashn-e-Rekhta has been the city’s winter magnet for poetry, language and performance, drawing younger audiences into the world of Urdu. This year’s musical slate, curated with HCL Concerts, promises a lively sweep of styles that travel from classical to qawwali, film to orchestral experimentation.
Across two stages, Mehfil Khana and Dayaar-e-Izhaar, the festival will host a notable line-up. The opening day features Mehakti Khushbu ka Safar Gulzar ke Saath with Gulzar and Divya Dutta, followed by Rang-e-Mausiqi by Sukhvinder Singh.
On 6 December, audiences can experience Dhruv Sangari’s qawwali at Dayaar-e-Izhaar, while Mehfil Khana presents Saaz Aur Sama by Salim-Sulaiman and Rang Aur Noor, Huma Khalil’s homage to cinematic gems shaped by Urdu poets.
The final day brings an Orchestral Qawwali by Abi Sampa and Rushil Ranjan, before closing with Dil Abhi Bhara Nahin, a tribute to Sahir Ludhianvi led by Javed Akhtar, Shankar Mahadevan and Pratibha Singh Baghel.
HCL Group associate general manager Nikhil Soni, said the association reflects the platform’s commitment to widening access to performing arts and supporting artists who shape India’s musical legacy.
Rekhta Foundation head of programmes and festival Satish Gupta, noted that music has always been central to the festival’s charm and that HCL Concerts shares its vision of keeping artistic traditions deeply rooted yet widely resonant.
With this partnership, HCL Concerts continues its push to build a vibrant ecosystem for Indian performing arts while helping cultural expression reach broader, more diverse audiences.
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ITC Sunfeast, Zepto host mango-themed experiential ‘Paglu Party’
Event blends Alphonso desserts, DIY sessions and interactive formats
MUMBAI: When mango season peaks, some savour it others go full ‘paglu’. ITC Sunfeast Baked Creations, in collaboration with Zepto, turned summer indulgence into an immersive brand experience with its ‘Mango Paglu Party’, a high-energy, mango-themed event designed to blur the line between dessert and discovery. Built around the brand’s ‘Mad Over Mangoes’ universe, the space leaned into a sensory overload bright, playful and unapologetically mango-drenched. From curated installations to social-first corners, every element was designed to be as shareable as it was experiential.
At the centre of the celebration was the fruit itself, elevated into a menu crafted using fresh, carbide-free Alphonso mangoes sourced by Zepto. The spread ranged from a flaky Mango Pista Kouign Aman to Mango Coconut Serradura Pudding and a Mango Mascarpone Cake, balancing indulgence with seasonal freshness.
But this was not a passive tasting affair. Guests were drawn into the experience through interactive formats, including a DIY dessert session led by the brand’s chef, where attendees created classics like Mango Tres Leches. Zepto chief business officer Chandan Mehndiratta also joined the session, adding a touch of brand personality to the proceedings.
A quirky highlight came in the form of the ‘Aam Paglu Prescription’, a playful, doctor-themed concept that positioned mango indulgence as the only “treatment” worth taking, turning a simple insight into a memorable activation.
The event built up to a theatrical finale, with the crowning of the ‘Aam Paglu of the Day’ followed by the cutting of an oversized mango-shaped Mango Mascarpone Cake, closing the experience on a high note.
More than just a seasonal showcase, the Mango Paglu Party reflects a broader shift in brand storytelling, where products are no longer just consumed, but experienced. For ITC Sunfeast Baked Creations and Zepto, mango season was not just about flavour, it was about creating a moment that audiences could step into, engage with and, quite literally, devour.
