One of India’s most celebrated musical charity events, Khazana A Festival of Ghazals, is all set to celebrate its landmark Silver Jubilee this year. Marking 25 years of music, compassion and philanthropy, the festival will be held on July 24 and 25, 2026, at 7:00 pm in the Regal Room, Trident Hotel, Nariman Point, Mumbai. Organised in support of the Cancer Patients Aid Association (CPAA) and the Parent’s Association Thalassemic Unit Trust (PATUT), the festival continues its long-standing mission of using music to raise funds for cancer patients and children battling thalassaemia.
The 25th edition promises an unforgettable musical experience featuring some of the country’s finest artists, including Anup Jalota, Hariharan, Vishal Bhardwaj, Rekha Bhardwaj, Sonu Nigam, Javed Ali, Sudeep Banerji, Madhubanti Bagchi, Sunil Mungee, Aleena Bharti and Tejas Gambhir. The event will also feature singer Nihira Joshi as a guest performer, while Anup Soni and Rakshanda Khan will host the two-day celebration.
This year’s Silver Jubilee edition will pay a special tribute to legendary singer Asha Bhosle, celebrating her immense contribution to Indian music. The festival will also honour the iconic voices that have shaped the remarkable journey of Khazana over the past 25 years.
Founded by the late Padma Bhushan Pankaj Udhas, Khazana has grown from a musical gathering into one of India’s most respected charity festivals. For a quarter of a century, it has brought together legendary musicians, corporate partners, philanthropists and music lovers with a shared purpose of supporting underprivileged patients through the healing power of music.
Following Pankaj Udhas’ passing, his wife Farida Pankaj Udhas has continued his vision by carrying forward the festival and its charitable mission. Under her leadership, Khazana remains committed to raising funds for cancer treatment and thalassaemia care while preserving the rich tradition of ghazal music.
Speaking about the Silver Jubilee edition, ghazal maestro Anup Jalota, one of the festival’s founding members, said it was a matter of immense pride to see Khazana complete 25 glorious years. He noted that what began as a heartfelt dream had evolved into one of India’s most cherished ghazal festivals, touching countless lives while helping raise significant funds for cancer and thalassaemia patients.
Singer Rekha Bhardwaj described Khazana as much more than a music festival, calling it a celebration of timeless ghazals, cherished memories and a meaningful social cause. She also praised the efforts of Farida Pankaj Udhas and the Udhas family for continuing Pankaj Udhas’ extraordinary legacy with dedication.
This year’s event will also showcase emerging talent through the Khazana Ghazal Talent Hunt 2026. Winners from across India, including Md Rizwan Ahmed, Ayaan Khan, Sonali Das Natta, Ankit Mishra, and the recipients of the Padma Bhushan Pankaj Udhas Jury Award in the children’s category, will perform during the festival, highlighting the next generation of ghazal artists.
The Silver Jubilee edition is presented by Union Bank of India and organised in association with Trident, Nariman Point. Several leading organisations have joined as partners to support the event and its charitable initiatives.
Over the past 25 years, proceeds from Khazana have helped fund medical treatment, rehabilitation and care for thousands of underprivileged cancer patients and children suffering from thalassaemia. Through the combined efforts of CPAA and PATUT, the festival has become a symbol of how music can inspire compassion, spread hope and transform lives.
As Khazana celebrates this historic milestone, the festival once again promises two memorable evenings where soulful ghazals, timeless poetry and a noble cause come together, proving that music has the power not only to entertain but also to heal.
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