The first thing you notice about Goa in the monsoon isn’t the rain; it’s the silence. The beaches are no longer crowded, the shacks hum softly instead of roaring with music, and the Arabian Sea commands your full attention as waves crash against the shore. It is the season when Goa slows down, inviting travellers to linger over long conversations, savour unhurried moments and embrace experiences that feel deeply personal.
This July, that quiet romance finds its perfect soundtrack as Malhar & The Sea returns for its third edition from 24 to 26 July 2026 at Taj Exotica Resort & Spa, Goa. Designed as an intimate residential festival for just 120 couples, it pairs luxury hospitality with India’s diverse musical traditions, offering three days of exceptional performances, meaningful conversations and artistic discovery. Branded “One India. Many Voices.”, the festival places the human voice at the centre of an experience where music, art and the monsoon come together in perfect harmony.
Voices Across Traditions
The festival’s thoughtfully curated programme celebrates the diversity of India’s vocal traditions while embracing contemporary interpretations. Spanning dhrupad, Carnatic music, bhajan, ghazal, khayal, thumri, qawwali and musical theatre, the line-up offers a journey through centuries of musical heritage.
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Among its most anticipated performances are renowned Dhrupad exponent Ustad Wasifuddin Dagar, who carries forward the revered Dagar lineage, and celebrated sitar maestro Ustad Shujaat Khan, whose signature ‘gayaki ang’ style makes the sitar sing with the expressive nuances of the human voice. The devotional warmth of Anup Jalota adds another dimension, alongside celebrated Carnatic duo Ranjani and Gayatri, who will present Carnatic vocal compositions and abhangs.
The festival also showcases acclaimed contemporary performers, including Priyanka Barve with ghazal and geet, Ronkini Gupta with khayal and thumri, and Danish Husain, whose musical theatre presentation Main Pal Do Pal Ka Shayar Hoon revisits the timeless poetry of Sahir Ludhianvi. Rather than presenting a series of standalone concerts, the festival unfolds as a seamless journey through India’s many musical traditions, bringing classical, devotional and contemporary voices into conversation across three immersive days.
Where Every Note Resonates
While music remains its soul, Malhar & The Sea extends the experience well beyond the stage. The spiritual energy of Tasawwur Ensemble, led by Shivam Bhardwaj, brings the immersive tradition of qawwali to the festival, while Wanted Yesterday taps into nostalgia with a tribute to The Beatles. The closing performance, Nadia Rebello’s Fado Unplugged, honours Goa’s Portuguese-influenced musical heritage, offering a poignant finale that reflects the festival’s enduring connection with place, memory and identity.
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Adding another artistic dimension is photographer Rohit Chawla’s exhibition, Rain Dogs, which complements the festival’s monsoon-inspired atmosphere through evocative visual storytelling. Together with thoughtfully curated performances, luxury accommodation and an intentionally intimate format, Malhar & The Sea offers far more than a weekend of entertainment. It is a celebration of slow travel, artistic discovery and India’s rich musical heritage, inviting guests to experience Goa’s monsoon at its most soulful through a cultural retreat where every note lingers long after the final performance.
