November 7, 2024 - Rekhta Foundation has announced the dates for Jashn-e-Rekhta 2024 — one of the world’s largest Urdu language, literature and cultural festival — scheduled for December 13, 14, and 15 at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium,  New Delhi. The three-day festival promises to be a vibrant celebration of artistic expression, drawing audiences from across the world.

This year’s festival will showcase over 200 artists across 40+ sessions, spread over three immersive stages. Jashn-e-Rekhta 2024 will bring together a blend of Ghazals, Sufi music, Qawwali, Storytelling, Mushaira, poetry recitations and interactive sessions featuring celebrity conversations, masterclasses and more.

The festival will also include a curated Rekhta food festival (Aiwan-e-Zaiqa), a Books Bazaar and Rekhta Bazaar featuring handicrafts and merchandise.

Key personalities at the fest will include Javed Akhtar, Kailash Kher, Popular Meeruthi, Papon, Pernia Qureshi, Ali brothers, Professor Ghazanfar and several others.

The festival will open with a grand Sufi performance by Padmashri Kailash Kher on the inaugural evening of December 13.

"This year, we’ve moved the festival to a new and a larger venue, ensuring comfort for visitors and providing an even more art-friendly environment. We intend to delve deeper into the realm of Urdu and introduce its lovers to the newer shades of the language’s literature and culture." said Huma Khalil, Trustee and Creative Director, Rekhta Foundation.

Sanjiv Saraf, Founder, Rekhta Foundation added, “There is no denying that even a greater number of audience is going to turn up this year, and we must be prepared for it. We have taken significant steps to ease the rush on the venue.”

Special Highlights

The 2024 edition will feature several unique sessions, including: Nationalism in Urdu Poetry, exploring the overlooked nationalist spirit in Urdu poetry, and The Art of Humor and Satire, examining Urdu’s longstanding tradition of wit and satire. One of the key highlights of the festival will be the Grand Finale of Rekhta Baitbaazi- a national competition celebrating Urdu tradition, which is currently being conducted at various universities across India.

Having made its international debut in London in 2023 and expanded to Dubai in 2024, Jashn-e-Rekhta’s influence extends beyond India, offering a platform for literary and cultural exchange on a global scale.