Live Your City – Candlelight brought its signature open-air immersive concert experience to two of Delhi’s most iconic heritage monuments, Safdarjung Tomb and Purana Qila. The two events, held in quick succession, marked a significant step in how heritage spaces across India are being reimagined as active cultural venues.
The evening came alive with classical devotional melodies that resonated through the stone archways and open night air
On February 28, Safdarjung Tomb hosted the series’ open-air debut in Delhi. Set against the monument’s 18th-century Mughal architecture and sweeping gardens, the evening came alive with classical devotional melodies that resonated through the stone archways and open night air. On March 14, the series moved to Purana Qila, where the 16th-century fort’s towering walls and open skies set the stage for an exclusive Sufi evening centred on themes of love, longing, and spiritual connection. Candlelight is a globally celebrated concert series known for staging live performances in exceptional spaces, creating an intimate atmosphere through the warm glow of thousands of candles. In Delhi, the series found a natural home in monuments that carry centuries of architectural and historical significance, spaces that bring an unmistakable depth to every note played.
In Delhi, the series found a natural home in monuments that carry centuries of architectural and historical significance
The engagements were curated around the tradition of Sufi music, creating a cultural thread across both venues. The choice of Mehfil-e-Sufi as the centrepiece of both evenings was deeply considered, with its roots in devotion, longing, and spiritual expression, felt entirely at home within the walls of monuments that have themselves witnessed centuries of history. Pranjal Begwani, Candlelight Team Lead – India & Thailand (Fever), said, “Delhi’s architecture has long embodied the city’s spirit; its monuments don’t merely belong to history, they continue to breathe and resonate with the present! When we brought Candlelight Concerts to the Safdarjung Tomb and the Purana Qila, we weren’t simply choosing beautiful backdrops; we were entering into a conversation with centuries of history. The sold-out shows and the emotion from our audiences reaffirmed what we believed in. We look forward to curating many more such experiences across cities in India, celebrating and reinterpreting our country’s extraordinary heritage.”
The choice of Mehfil-e-Sufi as the centrepiece was deliberate, its themes of devotion and longing resonating within monuments steeped in centuries of history
Both shows were sold out, reflecting the strong appetite among Delhi’s audiences for experiences that go beyond the ordinary. The response from attendees was overwhelmingly positive, with audiences describing the evenings as deeply moving and unlike anything they had experienced before. Live Your City – Candlelight has shown that pairing timeless music with spaces of genuine historical weight creates something that a conventional venue simply cannot replicate. As the series continues to grow across India’s cultural cities, the Delhi chapter, anchored by Safdarjung Tomb and Purana Qila stands as a clear example of how immersive experiences can honour heritage while making it profoundly relevant to the present.
