NEW DELHI, August 10, 2026 – The Leela Palaces, Hotels and Resorts, a leading luxury hospitality brand, has unveiled "Melodies by The Leela," its official sonic identity, marking a new cultural expression as the brand celebrates four decades of True Indian Luxury. This initiative deepens the brand’s enduring commitment to Indian art, heritage, and hospitality, extending its philosophy into music to complement its existing sensory expressions.
For over forty years, The Leela has embodied the richness of India through its architecture, craftsmanship, cuisine, wellness, and service. With "Melodies by The Leela," the brand aims to enhance the emotional connection guests have with its hotels by creating a distinctive musical language.
The launch of this new brand platform introduces A Living Raga, an inaugural commemorative album composed exclusively for The Leela by Grammy-winning, seventh-generation sarod maestros Amaan Ali Bangash and Ayaan Ali Bangash. This 14-track collection celebrates four decades of True Indian Luxury through original compositions inspired by the warmth, grace, and timeless philosophy of Atithi Devo Bhava (Guest is God). Produced in collaboration with long-time creative partners Karsh Kale and Sawan Dutta, A Living Raga also features acclaimed musicians Rajesh Prasanna on flute, Ahaana Ali on sarangi, Gopal Dayal on shehnai, and Ustad Amjad Ali Khan, offering a contemporary interpretation of India’s classical traditions.
The album was first presented at The Leela Palace New Delhi on August 7th to an illustrious gathering including Ustad Amjad Ali Khan and Subhalakshmi Khan, Vijay Amritraj, Falguni Shane Peacock, Amitabh Kant, Suresh and Priyanka Raina, and Shereen Bhan, among other distinguished guests.
Anuraag Bhatnagar, CEO and Whole-time Director, The Leela Palaces, Hotels and Resorts, commented on the launch, stating, "For four decades, The Leela has celebrated India’s cultural richness through architecture, design, art, cuisine, and hospitality. Music has always been an integral part of that journey, quietly shaping the emotional connection our guests have with our hotels. With Melodies by The Leela, we are bringing together years of original musical collaborations into a distinctive sonic identity that is uniquely our own. As we celebrate forty years of True Indian Luxury, A Living Raga marks the inaugural chapter of this journey, reflecting our commitment to preserving India’s artistic heritage while presenting it in ways that continue to resonate with contemporary audiences."
Amaan and Ayaan Ali Bangash shared their thoughts on the collaboration, saying, "Our association with The Leela has grown over more than fifteen years through a shared belief that culture is best experienced through emotion. Composing A Living Raga has been an opportunity to celebrate India’s timeless musical traditions while giving expression to The Leela’s vision of a distinctive sonic identity. We are honored that these years of collaboration now come together under Melodies by The Leela, creating an enduring musical expression for the brand as it celebrates forty years of True Indian Luxury."
The evening also featured a specially curated commemorative menu that celebrated four decades of True Indian Luxury. This menu traced The Leela’s journey through regional culinary expressions inspired by its various destinations and heritage, from Malvani flavors representing its first chapter in Mumbai to interpretations of Karnataka and other regional traditions, bringing together the diverse culinary identity of The Leela in one celebratory experience.
Music has been an integral part of The Leela experience for over fifteen years. Through its longstanding creative collaboration with Amaan and Ayaan Ali Bangash, the brand has commissioned original compositions that have welcomed guests, enriched public spaces, and become an intrinsic part of its sensory language. These musical expressions are now consolidated under "Melodies by The Leela," a long-term brand platform that will continue to evolve through original compositions, destination-inspired collections, and collaborations with leading artists.
As part of the launch, The Leela also introduced a limited-edition collector’s vinyl of A Living Raga. Conceived for discerning collectors and music connoisseurs, the vinyl celebrates the enduring beauty of analogue listening, where craftsmanship, ritual, and permanence take precedence. Every detail, from its bespoke artwork to its tactile production, was thoughtfully designed as a collectible expression of The Leela’s philosophy of timeless Indian luxury.
With the launch of "Melodies by The Leela," the brand introduces a new dimension to its sensory experience, extending beyond place into the enduring language of sound. Starting with A Living Raga, the platform will continue to evolve through original compositions, artistic collaborations, and destination-inspired musical expressions, reinforcing The Leela’s commitment to celebrating India’s cultural heritage through contemporary luxury experiences.
Following its first listening at The Leela Palace New Delhi, A Living Raga is now available to stream on Spotify, Apple Music, and The Leela website.
The Leela Palaces, Hotels and Resorts is India’s largest institutionally owned and managed pure-play luxury hospitality brand. Backed by Brookfield, The Leela’s portfolio comprises 15 operating award-winning properties and another 10 in the pipeline across leading leisure and business destinations in India and Dubai. Recognized globally for architectural excellence and bespoke services, The Leela was ranked #2 globally among the best Hotel Brands in the World by the Travel + Leisure World’s Best Awards 2026. The brand has previously been ranked as the World’s Best Hotel Brand by Travel + Leisure World’s Best Awards in 2020 and 2021, and among the global top three in 2023, 2024, and 2026. The brand remains committed to delivering timeless Indian hospitality through world-class luxury experiences.
For more information, please visit www.theleela.com and connect with The Leela on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.
