Madhuri Dixit and sitar player Pandit Niladri Kumar at an event organised by Brooke Bond Taj Mahal in Delhi

The capital recently witnessed an afternoon of classical music and culturally-rich conversations, with Madhuri Dixit-Nene and eminent sitar player Pandit Niladri Kumar in attendance.
Renewing its three-decade-long association with classical music, Brooke Bond Taj Mahal presented the young sitar maestro at a star studded mehfil-e-sitar to launch its new tea – Taj Mahal – A Flavour of Darjeeling, inspired by which, he played a scintillating new raag called Raag Darjeeling.
Welcoming Kumar into the Taj Mahal family of master craftsmen, a tradition which started with Ustad Zakir Hussain, Madhuri said, “The brand has always supported classical music and dance. I’ve been proud to be associated with it because of my training in Kathak, and now we’re joined by another talented musician, which is great.”
On his association with the brand, Kumar said, “When I think about being associated with this brand, I think of the great lineage that comes with it. They have always supported classical music, and we’ve looked up to those musicians, names like Ustad Zakir Hussain sahab. I feel honoured to be joining this lineage.” Talking to us about creating Raag Darjeeling, he said, “One is always creating new pieces. But this particular one, Raag Darjeeling, is meant to remind people of Darjeeling’s beauty and the flavour of this tea.”
Present at the event was Krishnan Sundaram, general manager, Beverages, Hindustan Unilever Limited. He said, “Taj Mahal – A Flavour of Darjeeling is Taj’s best ever tea and captures the flavour of Darjeeling without compromising on the strength of the tea. For over 27 years now, we’ve been associated with icons of culture. We’re proud of our ongoing association with Ustad Zakirji and now Madhuri and Pandit Niladriji.
These artistes embody what the brand stands for, the rigour they bring to their crafts, the expertise and excellence, and by this association, we reach out to people who actually value what the brand stands for. For us, it’s not just a cup of tea, but how Madhuri and other people put it, it’s the Taj experience.”