Jashn-e-Rekhta 2025: Celebrating a decade of Urdu’s grandest festival

Urdu lovers around the globe are rejoicing as the Rekhta Foundation announces the 10th edition of Jashn-e-Rekhta—the world’s largest Urdu language, literature, and cultural festival—scheduled for December 5, 6, and 7 at Baansera Park, in collaboration with the Delhi Development Authority (DDA). Marking a decade of celebrating Urdu’s timeless beauty, the festival will bring together poets, writers, musicians, and cultural icons from across the world in a grand tribute to the language and its living heritage.

This year’s festival will feature over 300 artists and 35+ sessions spread across five immersive stages—Mehfil Khana, Dayaar-e-Izhar, Sukhan Zaar, Bazm-e-Khayal, and Aiwan-e-Zaiqa. The event promises to showcase Urdu’s lyrical depth and emotional range through ghazals, qawwalis, musical tributes, storytelling sessions, poetry recitations, and thought-provoking conversations.

“This decade marks a milestone not just for Jashn-e-Rekhta but for Urdu itself,” said Sanjiv Saraf, Founder, Rekhta Foundation. “Over the last ten years, the festival has become a people’s movement—growing in spirit and passion each year, proving that Urdu continues to live in the hearts of millions.”

The 2025 edition of Jashn-e-Rekhta presents a rich array of performances and sessions, capturing the many hues of Urdu’s cultural splendour. Among the highlights is Mehakti Khushbu Ka Safar Gulzar Ke Saath, a deeply personal conversation with Gulzar exploring love, loss, and the poetics of life. Audiences can also look forward to Rang-e-Mausiqi, a powerhouse concert by Sukhwinder Singh, and Saaz Aur Sama, featuring Salim–Sulaiman’s signature compositions blending melody and soul. Dil Abhi Bhara Nahin, a tribute to Sahir Ludhianvi featuring Javed Akhtar, Shankar Mahadevan, and Pratibha Singh Baghel, is another anticipated session, along with the India premiere of The Orchestral Qawwali Project by Rushil Ranjan and Abi Sampa. The festival will also host Rang Aur Noor (Urdu Shairon Ke Filmi Shahkaar), a musical-drama by Huma Khalil celebrating Urdu’s cinematic heritage, and the iconic Rekhta Mushaira and Rooh-e-Majrooh, uniting poets and lyricists from across the world.

Beyond the stage, Jashn-e-Rekhta 2025 unfolds as a complete cultural experience where language, art, and lifestyle converge. Visitors can savour the culinary diversity of Aiwan-e-Zaiqa, browse rare literary works at the Rekhta Books Bazar, and explore artisanal crafts at the Rekhta Bazaar. The Rekhta Pavilion will feature digital tools and learning programmes designed to make Urdu more accessible to newer audiences. As dusk falls, the Light & Sound Show will transform Baansera’s Yamuna riverfront into a poetic spectacle of light, music, and verse, creating an immersive finale to each evening.

“Over the past ten years, Jashn-e-Rekhta has become a grand celebration of Urdu in all its splendour—from poetry and music to literature and performance,” said Huma Khalil, Trustee and Creative Director, Rekhta Foundation. “Beyond the festival, it mirrors the larger work of the Rekhta Foundation—publishing books, running Rekhta.org, producing audio-visual content, offering learning courses, and preserving the Sufi and literary heritage of our country.”

Since its inception in 2015, Jashn-e-Rekhta has grown from a modest gathering into a global movement, attracting millions of visitors over the years. What began as a humble initiative to revive Urdu has evolved into the world’s largest celebration of its cultural legacy—an intergenerational bridge connecting art, music, literature, and emotion.

Access: Via Sarai Kale Khan Metro Station, with paid parking available nearby. Entry is ticketed, with one-day and multi-day passes open for purchase online. Early bird and student discounts are available for a limited time. Visitors must pre-register to receive QR-coded entry passes.

When: December 5 to 7

Where: Baansera Park, New Delhi