Delhi: exploring the many versions of a city that co-exist

Discover Delhi's rich heritage through music, stories, and cuisine at the immersive Kahaani: Dilli Ki festival on February 14-15.

Behind the modern chaos of traffic and concrete lies a city of infinite layers — a “hidden India” that Sara Abdullah Pilot and Aishwarya Jha are determined to awaken. The co-founders of the year-old Indophile – a multidisciplinary cultural venture, are transforming the lawns of Travancore Palace into Kahaani: Dilli Ki, a two-day immersive festival which is a tribute to the heart, history and heritage of Delhi. Supported by the Ministry of Culture, the debut edition of this festival is rooted in the belief that Delhi is not one city but many, and invites visitors to stroll through its eras to savour its flavours, listen to its music, and encounter the stories that have shaped its enduring character. 

“Delhi has an endless well of stories and one of the things we want to do through our panel discussions, arts and crafts, music performances and food is to try and tell as many of these stories as we can,” says Sara. The duo did not want this to be just another festival in the capital’s entertainment calendar but for it to spark meaningful conversations. “We want people to come and have a good time but also, for them to get an opportunity to delve a deeper into real conversations about heritage and culture,” she adds. 

Sonam Kalra | Photo Credit: SPECIAL ARRANGEMENT

The curation, therefore, had to be with the right blend of established names along with those who may not have a similar cachet that the headliners would. The music section, for instance, features artistes such as contemporary Sufi singer Deveshi Sahgal, award-winning singer-composer Sonam Kalra, popular band Indian Ocean, as well as artistes from the Dilli gharana. There is also kathak by Gauri Diwakar, dastangoi by Ashhar Haque, and engaging street theatre performances, honouring Delhi’s layered artistic heritage.

Peeling back the layers of Delhi’s edible history, author and food historian Anoothi Vishal is crafting a food experience that celebrates the city’s lesser-known gastronomic treasures. “Most people think that Delhi food is only about post-Partition Punjabi cuisine or foods available in streets and restaurants. The curation here breaks that myth and talks about the communities of Shahjahanabad (colloquially known as Old Delhi), as well as some other communities which are not from Shahjahanabad.,” she says.

New Delhi, Jan 13 (ANI): People enjoy the sunny day after a cold winter morning, at Lodhi Garden, in New Delhi on Tuesday. (ANI Photo/Sumit) | Photo Credit: ANI