Rooted
Masters, lineages and living crafts, presented with the respect they deserve. The ethnic fabric stays intact.
The Festival of Panjabiyat
Panjab, as the world has never seen it.
Three days. Six worlds. One fort and one palace in Patiala, opened as one for the first festival of its kind.
—Days
—Hours
—Minutes
—Seconds
until the gates openA first, for Panjab
A culture the world sings along to, and has never seen whole.
Panjab’s music fills the charts and its kitchens feed the world, yet Panjabiyat has never had a great stage of its own. Saaj is that stage: a festival to celebrate Panjab every year, an institution to celebrate Panjabiyat through the year, and a stage that recreates both, across the world, for years to come.
Discover more
3days of festival
25+immersive experiences
50+artists and performers
30+speakers, poets and thinkers
20+chefs and culinary masters
100+artisans and makers
3,000guests, never more
Millionsreached across the world
The experience
Luxurious, immersive, and joyful for every age.
Heritage you step inside, not heritage behind glass: to be watched, tasted, worn, played and danced.
Reimagined
Heritage in contemporary blends: music, couture, light, film and design.
For every generation
Grandparents to grandchildren: stories, music, games and food that bring the whole family in.
The festival
Six worlds of Panjabiyat, under one sky.
The setting
A fort and a palace, opened as one.
Qila Mubarak, the 18th-century fort at the heart of Patiala, and Ran Baas The Palace, the restored royal residence within it, welcome Saaj as its home.
First, the Curtain Raiser
Unveiled to a select few, before it opens.
An invitation-only evening at Ran Baas where Saaj is revealed to diplomats from 20 select nations, cultural leaders and the press. Founding partners are named that night.
Request an invitation By invitation
The people behind Saaj
In the company of India’s cultural imagination.
An invitation, in many forms
Sponsor. Partner. Co-curate. Co-create.
Saaj is built with the people and institutions who believe Panjab’s heritage belongs on the world stage. Find your place in it.
Partner and support
Sponsor SaajTitle, Presenting, Associate, Experience or Supporting partnership.Apply now Country & Mission PartnersFor governments, embassies, high commissions and tourism boards.Apply now Cultural AlliesMuseums, universities, archives and foundations that co-curate.Apply now Brand collaborations & Saaj EditionsCo-create products, experiences and content.Apply now
Perform, create and share
Beyond borders
Born in Panjab. Built to travel.
As India’s great festivals now travel the world, Saaj will carry Panjab’s heritage to every city with a Panjabi heart.
Saaj Sessions
Voices, stories and conversations.
Podcasts with our Advisory Board, the Saaj Journal and reels from the making of the festival.
JournalWhat is Panjabiyat?
Not a place on a map, but a way of being: the language, music, generosity and courage that travel with every Panjabi, everywhere.
JournalPatiala and Qila Mubarak: a setting with a story
Why Saaj makes its home in a fort and a palace at the heart of one of Panjab’s great royal cities.
JournalPhulkari: the stitch that became a signature
How a darning stitch, worked from the reverse in silk floss, became one of Panjab’s most recognised art forms.
Conceptualised, co-curated and co-produced by
Our partners
Founding happens once.
Places are few, and the top partnerships are one per category. Once a category is taken, it closes.