Indian singer Harshdeep Kaur will headline the opening day of the fourth edition of the TV9 Festival of India, which begins in New Delhi on 16 October. The five-day cultural celebration will feature a special musical performance by the acclaimed vocalist, bringing together popular Bollywood songs, Sufi music and Punjabi melodies.
Titled Noor-e-Ishq: Songs of the Soul, the performance is scheduled to begin at 7pm local time at Major Dhyan Chand National Stadium, near India Gate in New Delhi. Organisers are positioning the concert as one of the opening day’s main attractions, with Harshdeep expected to showcase the musical styles that have established her reputation across India and beyond.
Known among her fans as the ‘Sultana of Sufi’, Harshdeep has carved out a distinctive place in Indian music through her expressive voice and ability to move between film soundtracks, Sufi compositions and Punjabi music. Her singing often combines emotional depth with a strong melodic sensibility, making her a familiar name among listeners of contemporary Indian film music.
Some of her best-known songs include ‘Katiya Karun’ from Rockstar, ‘Heer’ from Jab Tak Hai Jaan, ‘Kabira’ from Yeh Jawaani Hai Deewani, ‘Dilbaro’ from Raazi and ‘Jugni Ji’ from Cocktail. Other popular tracks associated with her include ‘Zaalima’, ‘Nachde Ne Saare’, ‘Uff’ and ‘Jhak Maar Ke’.
Her contribution to Raazi earned her the Best Female Playback Singer award at the International Indian Film Academy Awards in 2019 for ‘Dilbaro’. The song, known for its emotional portrayal of a daughter’s relationship with her family, became one of the memorable musical elements of the film.
Over the course of her career, Harshdeep has collaborated with several prominent Indian music directors and composers, including A. R. Rahman, Amit Trivedi, Vishal–Shekhar and Shankar–Ehsaan–Loy. Her work has also extended beyond mainstream Bollywood productions. She contributed to the Hollywood film 127 Hours, performed on Coke Studio India and served as a coach on the Indian television singing competition The Voice India. In 2019, a contestant from her team won the competition.
The festival’s music programme will continue on 17 October with a performance by Indian rapper Raftaar. From 18 to 20 October, the event will host a series of Dandiya Nights, featuring singers, bands and DJs.
The line-up for 18 October includes BP Singh, Shreyas Dharmadhikari and DJ Shival. On 19 October, audiences can expect performances by the Nizami Brothers, Saurabh Shourya and DJ Veronica. The final day, 20 October, will feature Falita, Mehfil-e-Khas and DJ Nitish Gulyani.
Running from 16 to 20 October, the TV9 Festival of India 2026 will open daily at 11am and continue until 10pm. Music will form only one part of the programme. Visitors will also be able to explore Durga Puja-themed installations, shopping areas, lifestyle product exhibitions, food stalls, cultural performances and activities designed for children.
The festival aims to bring music, culture, food and shopping together in one venue, offering families and groups of friends an opportunity to enjoy a range of entertainment and cultural experiences. Its varied programme is intended to appeal to visitors with different interests, from live music enthusiasts to those seeking food, shopping and family-friendly activities.
Tickets for Harshdeep Kaur’s opening-day concert are available through BookMyShow and District, according to the information provided by the organisers.
Event details
Artist: Harshdeep Kaur
Performance: Noor-e-Ishq: Songs of the Soul
Date: 16 October 2026
Time: From 7pm local time
Venue: Major Dhyan Chand National Stadium, near India Gate, New Delhi
Festival dates: 16–20 October 2026
Ticketing platforms: BookMyShow and District
