Pitaara’s ‘Chitthi Aayi Hai’ Festival Connects Dubai’s South Asians
By ThePip Desk
Indore’s Pitaara Company brings ‘Chitthi Aayi Hai’ festival to Dubai, offering 12 cultural shows like Dastaangoi, Bhajan, Ghazal, and Qawwali to South Asian expats.
Indore-based The Pitaara Company successfully hosted its three-day cultural festival, “Chitthi Aayi Hai – Echoes from the Homeland,” in Dubai from August 14-16, 2026.
The event, coinciding with India’s Independence Day weekend, aimed to connect with Indians and other South Asians residing away from their home countries.
Festival Highlights
- Three-day duration: August 14-16, 2026
- 12 curated shows
- Four traditional Indian art forms: Dastaangoi, Devotional Bhajan music, Ghazal, and Qawwali/Sufi music
The festival reimagined these traditions, featuring young artists, many in their 20s and 30s, who used contemporary narratives and immersive formats. Audience participation was encouraged, with traditional instruments like Pakhawaj, dholak, and damru integral to performances.
Featured Artists & Forms
- Dastaangoi: Storyteller Sikandar Khan
- Bhajan Jamming: Amrut Kotasthane
- Ghazal: Aman Hora and Khyati Pandya
- Qawwali/Sufi: Tribute to Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan by Aftab Qadri and Amil Sabri, exploring legacies of Amir Khusro and Kabir
The name “Chitthi Aayi Hai” (A Letter Has Arrived) was chosen to evoke the universal longing for home among expatriates. This sentiment resonated deeply, drawing significant interest from the Indian and South Asian diaspora in Dubai.
Company’s Vision
Founders Shikha Jain and Vigya Patni stated their goal is to make traditional art forms relevant to younger generations, not merely preserve them. They focused on providing a platform for emerging talent from cities beyond India’s major entertainment hubs.
Following its success in Dubai, The Pitaara Company plans to explore taking its cultural formats to more international diaspora communities.