SARAS Aajeevika Mela turns into cultural extravaganza

SARAS Aajeevika Mela which is currently happening at Leisure Valley Park, Gurgaon, has evolved into more than just a marketplace. By night, it feels like a cultural pit stop - a place where the city pauses, listens, claps and occasionally dances along.

On February 19, Assam’s Bihu dance arrived at the mela stage. Known for its rhythm and celebratory spirit, Bihu marks the Assamese New Year and the onset of spring. Expect vibrant mekhela chadors, high-energy formations and the unmistakable beat of the dhol carrying across the park. Alongside it, the classical Sattriya dance will bring a quieter, devotional dimension, offering a graceful counterpoint to the folk exuberance.

In recent days, the mela’s cultural line-up has emerged as a key after-work draw for residents. The series opened on Valentine’s Day with a performance by Shibani Kashyap, who turned the open grounds into a lively sing-along space. Couples lingered, families moved closer to the barricades, and the evening extended comfortably beyond its scheduled close. The following night saw a shift in tone as Jeli Kayi Tamin took the stage with his distinctive dual-voice performance, prompting audiences to watch closely and raise their phones as he moved seamlessly between tonal ranges.

By February 16, the mood had softened into a more immersive experience with a Sufi performance by Vusat Iqbal Khan. The classical arrangements and contemplative rhythms drew listeners into a quieter, more reflective space. Attendance at the seating area has grown steadily with each evening. Visitors who initially arrive to shop are increasingly timing their visits around the performances. Children mimic dance steps near the aisles, while groups of friends and families remain seated well into the night, signalling that the mela’s cultural programming has become as much a draw as its marketplace.

The cultural calendar continues to travel across states in the days ahead - Punjabi singer Karan Randhawa is scheduled next, followed by Jasmine Kaur, Maharashtra’s traditional showcase ‘Gaurav Maharashtracha’, and an evening dedicated to Bharatanatyam and Tamil folk traditions.Get the latest entertainment updates from the Times of India, along with the latest Hindi movies, upcoming Hindi movies in 2026 , and Telugu movies.”