TCS Ruhaniyat 2025 – Seeking the Divine
Ruhaniyat, the signature festival by Banyan Tree, celebrates its 25th year—a milestone that reflects its enduring impact and its deep connection with audiences. For decades, the festival has revived the wisdom of mystics and saints from across eras, making it not only a beloved cultural event but also a uniquely significant one. In fact, Ruhaniyat stands apart as possibly the only festival of its kind in India—and perhaps the world.

Presented nationwide for many years, it travels to eight major cities—Mumbai, Delhi, Bengaluru, Kolkata, Hyderabad, Chennai, Ahmedabad, and Pune—bringing traditional art forms to centre stage, including many rare and lesser-known living traditions. The platform has breathed new life into art forms on the verge of disappearing, nurturing performers from remote regions and creating stars whose work might otherwise have gone unnoticed. While other events have tried similar formats, none have managed to sustain an uninterrupted, countrywide run for twenty-five consecutive years. This remarkable consistency is thanks to the unwavering support of Tata Consultancy Services and the love of audiences everywhere.

Conceptualized and curated by Mahesh Babu, founder and director of Banyan Tree, Ruhaniyat has also showcased exceptional artists and traditions from over 30 nations. Every year, each city presents exclusive international collaborations designed specifically for the festival—bringing the ancient Indian ethos of Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam (“the world is one family”) to life through powerful, cross-cultural performances. These collaborations have helped build profound cultural bridges, spreading warmth, friendship, and unity far beyond the stage—bridges strong enough to rise above barriers of language, faith, region, and race.

At a time when the world is overwhelmed with conflict, anger, and division, Ruhaniyat arrives as a much-needed reminder to reconnect with peace, compassion, and hope.

This year’s edition features several rare traditions making their debut: Paakh from Jammu, Gaatha from Punjab, Ninda Stuti and Jonana from Odisha, Tukkha Gaan from West Bengal, mystical Ugabhogas from Karnataka, and Nanthuni Pattu from Kerala, among others. Artists who first appeared on Ruhaniyat—like Parvathy Baul—and those who have been part of the journey since its inception—such as Kachra Khan and the Warasi Brothers—return to mark this silver jubilee year.

The festival will also showcase mystical musical forms from around the world. For the first time, performers from Brazil, China, Italy, and South Africa will participate, along with renowned artists from countries previously featured, such as Gambia (West Africa) and Egypt. Each city will also host a special global ensemble where Indian musicians come together with international artists, dissolving boundaries and creating an atmosphere of joy that lingers long after the final note.