For last 5 years, Pankaj Udhas, one of India's most popular ghazal singers, has been organizing a ghazal festival in Mumbai. Titled 'Khazana- a festival of Ghazals and Mushaira', the festival features many leading ghazal singers in the country. It is an event which is organized for the purpose of raising funds for Cancer and Thalassemia patients.
Ever since the event has been conceptualized, it has been a roaring success all over with millions being raised all over. In fact looking at the success of the event, Pankaj Udhas had went on to state that he was contemplating taking it outside Mumbai as well, the city where it is being regular held.
He had said, "As artists, we earn a lot of name, fame and money. Through Khazana we try to give back to the society a little bit of what we can do for them. I am proud to inform you that all artists who perform at Khazana, from the senior most to newcomers, do it for free. Encouraged by this gesture we have decided to take Khazana to other cities."
This year, to be held on 25th and 26th July, the event would be dedicated to Begum Akhtar. Apart from Pankaj Udhas, others who would be performing in the show are Anup Jalota, Talat Aziz, Abhijit Pohankar and Penas Masani. They would be singing few songs of Begum Akhtar in addition to other ghazals.