Bazm-e-Aam: An Evening Celebrating the Mango

Prepare for an unforgettable evening as Kashkol Collective presents “Bazm-e-Aam: An Evening Celebrating the Mango” comes to life on June 14, 2025, from 7:00 PM onwards, at the Fountain Lawn of the India International Centre. This event isn’t just about a seasonal fruit; it’s a vibrant celebration of the mango as a cultural metaphor, a sensory memory, and a symbol of joy deeply embedded in India’s shared imagination.

This one-of-a-kind evening promises a richly textured experience, weaving together the arts of storytelling, music, engaging conversation, and exquisite cuisine. Through the captivating presence of the mango, attendees will rediscover the poetry of summer, savor the taste of heritage, and immerse themselves in the comforting sound of nostalgia.

“In every home, the mango arrives not merely as fruit, but as memory-nostalgia wrapped in stories of elders known for their love of its flavor.”Bazm-e-Aam is our way of coming together to celebrate those memories — sweet, tangy, timeless.” – Ambreen Shah.

Across the Indian subcontinent, mangoes transcend borders and politics, sparking affection, playful rivalry, and cultural exchange. From the juicy Sindhri to the aromatic Dussehri, the fibrous Langra to the creamy Alphonso, everyone has a favorite, and every region proudly claims the “best” mango. It’s in these fond debates, shared cravings, and the inherited rituals of slicing, pickling, and juicing that we find a common language – one that binds us across kitchens, memories, and generations.

• Venue: Fountain Lawn, India International Centre, New Delhi
• Date & Time: June 14, 2025, 7:00 PM onwards
• Entry by tickets (Book my Show)- https://in.bookmyshow.com/activities/bazm-e-aam/ET00446840

About Organizer: Kashkol Collective

Kashkol Collective is a creative initiative dedicated to uniting artists across storytelling, music, literature, cinema, and more. Its mission is to create a collaborative, decentralized platform that empowers artists to find performance spaces, build connections, and thrive within a community where mutual support and growth are at the forefront. The collective, led by Ambreen Shah and Ashhar Haque, is a heartfelt endeavour born of a deep love for literature and culture.

Program Highlights

QISSAGOI – Dastan on the Mango
7:00 PM to 7:30 PM
By Ashhar Haque
A specially written dastan performed by acclaimed Dastango Ashhar Haque, tracing the mango’s journey from Buddhist parables to Mughal memoirs, colonial kitchens, and folk wisdom. Witty and wistful, the tale brings alive the mango as both metaphor and muse.

TALK – The Cultural Life of the Mango
7:30 PM to 8:15 PM
Speakers: Sohail Hashmi & Sopan Joshi
A vibrant conversation exploring the mango’s layered presence in Indian memory. Historian Sohail Hashmi and writer-environmentalist Sopan Joshi reflect on oral histories, rural ecologies, and seasonal rhythms that have shaped our relationship with this beloved fruit.

MUSICAL PERFORMANCE – Dholak Rani Ensemble
8:15 PM to 9:00 PM
Led by Shivangini Yeashu Yuvraj | Visual Styling by Isha Priya Singh
A sonic journey into desi summers. Dholak Rani, a musical collective rooted in the Ganga-Jamuni belt, blends classical raags and folk songs to evoke the emotional and seasonal landscape of the mango. Led by vocalist Shivangini Yeashu Yuvraj and styled by Isha Priya Singh, the ensemble brings a feminine voice and cultural memory center stage.

DINNER – A Mango-Themed Culinary Journey
9:00 PM onwards
Curated by Chef Sadaf Hussain
Chef and food chronicler Sadaf Hussain reimagines mango as story, flavour, and sentiment. Through a specially curated “Aam Menu,” expect a multi-sensory journey across textures and traditions — from raw tang to mellow sweetness, each course is an edible memory, reviving forgotten recipes and culinary roots.