LOYA Qissa Explores the Power of Stories with Sanjoy K. Roy and Ambreen Khan

Bengaluru, July 2026: LOYA at Taj West End, Bengaluru recently hosted an evocative edition of LOYA Qissa, featuring Sanjoy K. Roy, Managing Director of Teamwork Arts and the visionary force behind the Jaipur Literature Festival, in conversation with brand strategist and cultural commentator Ambreen Khan. The evening unfolded as a captivating exploration of culture, creativity and the enduring power of human stories.

True to the spirit of LOYA Qissa, the dialogue journeyed through engaging narratives, defining moments and the experiences that have shaped their remarkable paths. Rich reflections on food as a vessel of memory, storytelling as a custodian of cultural legacy, and cherished recollections of time spent at IHCLHotels lent depth, nostalgia and intimacy to the conversation.

Taljinder Singh, Senior Vice-President and Brand Custodian, IHCL, added, “At LOYA, every experience is rooted in India’s diverse cultural heritage and the stories that continue to inspire and shape it. LOYA Qissa embodies this ethos by bringing together extraordinary voices whose perspectives enrich our understanding of tradition, identity, and human connection. This edition served as a poignant reminder of storytelling’s enduring ability to transcend boundaries and foster meaningful dialogue across generations.”

The thoughtfully curated exchange offered guests a rare opportunity to engage with distinguished cultural luminaries as they reflected on the intersections of literature, art, travel, hospitality and the profound role of human connection in shaping enduring narratives.

With every edition, LOYA Qissa continues to honour India’s vibrant living heritage through immersive and thoughtfully curated gatherings, bringing together influential voices from the worlds of gastronomy, literature, craftsmanship, art and culture, creating meaningful moments of connection and discovery.

JASHN 2.0 Brings Music, Elements, and Cuisine Together at LOYA, Taj West End, Bengaluru

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.

An Afternoon of Stories at LOYA, Taj West End, Bengaluru

Bengaluru, March 2026: LOYA, Taj West End, Bengaluru, marked World Storytelling Day with an intimate, thoughtfully curated gathering that gently brought people together through their shared love for stories and the moments that shape them.

The afternoon was envisioned as a thoughtful exchange on storytelling as a means of preserving meaning, capturing the beauty, emotion, and quiet depth of everyday experiences, much like the food around which we come together to connect and celebrate.

Joining the conversation were writer and journalist Ruth D’Souza Prabhu, wine expert and writer Ruma Singh, hospitality connoisseur Aslam Gafoor, and sensory artist Indu Antony, celebrated for chronicling the evocative scents of Karnataka.

As the dialogue deepened, it became clear that while their mediums differed, storytelling remained the thread that connected them all. Rooted in Indian heritage and culture, food emerged as a powerful, unifying metaphor, one that brings together diverse memories, voices, and viewpoints, echoing the spirit that LOYA seeks to celebrate and share.

The menu featured a thoughtful selection of dishes that have a long history and a strong story to tell such as, Dal ki Chaat, Dahi Kraal alongside Gola Paratha, Tudkiya Bhaat, Kala Moti Gucchi Pulao, to name some of the dishes served on the occasion.

Amidst the serene setting of Taj West End, Bengaluru, the afternoon unfolded with quiet elegance, as stories emerged organically through meaningful conversation and thoughtfully curated cuisine. Through experiences such as these, LOYA continues to carve a unique space where food, culture, and storytelling come together in a way that resonates far beyond the dining table.

About LOYA, Taj West End, Bengaluru

IHCL operates LOYA as its flagship North Indian concept, celebrating the rich culinary heritage of Northern India. The restaurant revives time-honoured recipes, slow-cooking techniques, and heirloom ingredients, delivering flavours that are authentic, nuanced, and deeply memorable. With a seating capacity of 117, LOYA at Taj West End, Bengaluru, offers a refined dining experience where every element, from the thoughtfully designed interiors to the curated music, enhances the journey through

India’s gastronomic traditions. Here, tradition meets modern sophistication, creating a space where guests savour not just a meal, but an immersive story of culture, craftsmanship, and care.

IHCL exceeds 1 million meals offered to healthcare providers and migrant workers

Indian Hotels Company (IHCL) announced that it had crossed the milestone of over 1 million meals distributed to healthcare providers and migrant workers affected by the spread of COVID-19 in Mumbai, New Delhi, Bangalore, Coimbatore and Agra.

The initiative which began on March 23 has been spearheaded by the Taj Public Service Welfare Trust (TPSWT), with majority of the meals being prepared by its airline catering company TajSATS.

Puneet Chhatwal, MD and CEO at IHC  said the milestone of 1 million meals distributed over the last 36 days of lockdown is a testament of the community’s trust in the company.

"We are grateful to have been given this opportunity to assist the medical fraternity, who make sacrifices every day to keep our country and citizens safe and help migrant workers who are facing one of the biggest humanitarian crises ever."

Through its programme, IHCL has partnered with BMC in Mumbai to offer over 3,30,000 meals to the medical fraternity at seven key hospitals/COVID-19 centres. In Bangalore, the company has provided over 9,500 meals to staff at Victoria Hospital and Epidemic Diseases Hospital in partnership with the Taj West End. While in New Delhi, IHCL has served over 85,000 meals to eight hospitals.

Since March 31, 2020, in partnership with Tata Son's - TPSWT has also provided over 5,75,000 meals to migrant workers in Mumbai

Vande Bharat Mission: Authorities seek hotel rooms across the country

India begins its biggest repatriation exercise to bring back 14,800 nationals stuck in 12 countries, the government is earmarking a range of hotel rooms across the spectrum, from one star properties to plush five-stars, for quarantining these travellers who will be landing in different cities
Hotels newly earmarked in Delhi include the Taj Palace Hotel, Shangri-La’s Eros Hotel and Le Meridien, according to people aware of the matter. Besides Taj Palace, the Indian Hotels Company Limited ..
(IHCL) has earmarked rooms in five of its hotels in Bengaluru for the exercise, including in Taj MG Road, Taj West End and the Vivanta hotel in Whitefield.

“We are glad to be able to offer support and care for our community,” said a Shangri-La spokesperson. “The hotel will accommodate some of these returning travellers as and when required. During this period, we will take all necessary precautions and strictly abide by the guidelines provided by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare,”.

“We have got 200 rooms. The Delhi government had approached us. As per the instructions that we have received, all the guests are supposed to pay for the rooms. The government is not footing the bill. In our case it’s Rs 4,000 for a single room and Rs 4,800 for a double room, inclusive of meals plus taxes,” said Tarun Thakral, Chief Operating Officer at Le Meridien. “I think they are giving options to arriving passengers to choose from hotel categories and rates.”
The Delhi government has reportedly allocated 1,200 rooms in Delhi and National Capital Region for the purpose.

The Hotel and Restaurant Association of Western India (HRAWI) said it has been in constant touch with the authorities in Maharashtra and has arranged more than 1,500 rooms at discounted rates in Mumbai across categories
At IBIS New Delhi Aerocity, there are 200 rooms which have been committed for the repatriation exercise
Lemon Tree Hotels said it has been approached by different state authorities on room availability and quotation in locations like Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru, Hyderabad, Chennai, Alleppey, Kochi, Amritsar and Lucknow.
Besides IHCL, hotel chains such as Lemon Tree, Accor and Radisson Hotels have been offering quarantining services for asymptomatic people during the lockdown.