Chandigarh gets a evening of folk, Sufi and contemporary Indian sound on Friday, 30 October 2026, when Durbar Evenings by Godawan Estuary Water arrives at Taj Chandigarh. The event starts at 7:00 PM and is led by a live performance from Aanchal Shrivastava.
More than a concert
Durbar Evenings are not set up as a standard ticketed gig. The evening pairs contemporary expressions of Indian sound with crafted experiences, a curated culinary journey, and the conservation story behind Godawan. The organisers describe it as an invitation to explore the “many layers of Durbar” rather than only watch a performance.
The format comes from a larger cultural project. Godawan’s Durbar Evenings, from Diageo India, debuted in Delhi in 2025. They carry the spirit of the annual Durbar experience in Rajasthan into urban India. The evenings are described as sensorial celebrations of sound, craft and conscious luxury, where indigenous music, artisanal traditions and mindful indulgence meet at golden hour. The series has since moved through several cities, including Kolkata and Delhi, and a Hyderabad edition follows a day after Chandigarh.
The voice behind the evening
Aanchal Shrivastava is one of the more distinctive independent voices in Indian music. She is essentially a folk singer, and she reached a wide audience with the song “Dil Shagna Da” from the series Four More Shots Please! Her path is also unusual. She began her singing career in her early 30s after leaving a corporate career, and later launched TAA Music Label to help newcomers.
On stage she is best known for Yatra with Aanchal. It is described as an intimate, mehfil-style concert of Sufi and indie qawwali, built around folk and Sufi classics such as “Mast Kalandar” and “Kun Faya Kun” alongside her own originals, with a live band behind her. Women are still rarely seen leading the qawwali tradition, and Shrivastava is one of the few who do. Chandigarh has already been on her touring route, and this is a return to the city in a more intimate setting.
Why it fits Chandigarh
The city has a loyal audience for live music, and the Durbar format suits it: a heritage-style evening in a premium hotel, with the music supported by food and storytelling. For anyone who prefers a mehfil to a stadium show, this is a good option for the end of October.
At a glance
- Event: Durbar Evenings by Godawan Estuary Water ft. Aanchal Shrivastava
- Date and time: Friday, 30 October 2026, 7:00 PM
- Venue: Taj Chandigarh
- What to expect: Live performance, a curated culinary journey, and the Godawan conservation story
