Bengaluru, July 2026 — LOYA, at Taj West End, Bengaluru, presented an intimate and thoughtfully curated literary soirée as part of its evocative LOYA QISSA series, centred around The Other Side of the Mountain: A CEO’s Journey through Spirituality, authored by Sanjiv Sarin former CEO & MD, Tata Coffee Ltd.

Elegantly moderated by Ms. Vinita Bali, former CEO of Britannia Industries and Independent Director, the immersive dialogue traversed the delicate intersection of the personal and the professional. It traced Mr. Sarin’s journey from the corporate boardroom to a deeper exploration of self-awareness, purpose, and conscious leadership. Drawing from the book’s central premise, the exchange highlighted how the most meaningful transformations in leadership often unfold not in positions of authority, but in the quiet, reflective spaces between decisions.

The evening brought together a distinguished gathering of business leaders, entrepreneurs, hospitality professionals, and members of Bengaluru’s discerning cultural milieu. The conversation offered a nuanced exploration of leadership, resilience, purpose, and introspection—interweaving insights from the author’s journey with universal reflections on growth, transition, and the evolving definition of success.

Sanjiv Sarin, Author of The Other Side of the Mountain, remarked, “I wrote this book for young and midcareer executives who are experiencing and exploring the self through their corporate journeys. The fact that it is now reaching boardrooms and senior leadership is great . What unfolded this evening was exactly that a room of individuals willing to engage with questions that resist easy answers. Such dialogue is rare, and the setting offered the perfect canvas for it.”

Taljinder Singh, Senior Vice-President and Brand Custodian, IHCL, added, “At its essence, LOYA Qissa is designed to bring people together through stories, ideas, and experiences that spark meaningful conversations. The Other Side of the Mountain is a compelling reflection on leadership, purpose, and personal growth, and we were delighted to host an evening that encouraged thoughtful dialogue and deeper connections among our guests.”

The evening reaffirmed LOYA QISSA’s vision of fostering an elevated platform where dialogue transcends the culinary, bringing together diverse voices, perspectives, and ideas through thoughtfully curated cultural and intellectual experiences.

LOYA, Taj West End, Bengaluru recently hosted the city premiere of JASHN 2.0, the second edition of its signature music album, on 5th May 2026, as part of its celebrated Qissa series. Conceived as an immersive evening where sound, story, and culinary artistry converged, the experience was crafted to be savoured as much as it was heard.

Curated and composed by acclaimed musician Shreyas Patkar, JASHN draws inspiration from the five universal elements Earth, Water, Fire, Air, and Space and their intrinsic relationship with LOYA’s distinctive culinary techniques. From the smoky theatre of dhungar and the aromatic crescendo of baghaar, to the slow indulgence of dum cooking and the primal allure of the open-fire sigdi, the album translates the language of the kitchen into a meticulously composed musical narrative.

Richly layered with instrumentation including santoor, sitar, ghatam, flute, tabla, and bass guitar, JASHN seamlessly blends classical Indian soundscapes with a contemporary lounge sensibility. Each composition is thoughtfully designed to complement the cuisine, creating an orchestrated dialogue between plate, palate, and performance.

The evening unfolded with Raahein, a melodic journey tracing LOYA’s culinary trail from Kashmir to Punjab, followed by Thumka with Dungaar, a spirited fusion of Thumri and modern rhythm that echoed the moment smoke rises as a pot is lifted from the fire.

Adding to this, Mr. Taljinder Singh, Senior Vice President and Brand Custodian, IHCL, remarked, “LOYA has always been a celebration of craft, culture, and storytelling. With JASHN unveiled as LOYA’s second signature music album, we extend this philosophy beyond the plate, creating an experience where music becomes an integral part of the dining journey: immersive, evocative, and as thoughtfully layered as the cuisine itself. Inspired by the cultural nuances of the land, its people, languages, and changing seasons, LOYA has shaped a musical narrative that transcends the restaurant. With both albums now available on Spotify, guests can experience the spirit of LOYA beyond the dining space.”

Expanding beyond the dining space, JASHN has evolved into a collaborative platform featuring celebrated artists including Padmashree Shankar Mahadevan and Pandit Suresh Bapat, and is now available to stream on Spotify, Apple Music, Instagram Audio, and YouTube.