The hospitality visionary who pioneered one of Delhi’s most celebrated Sufi nightlife concepts returns with a contemporary revival reclaiming the genre he helped define.
In 2013, when commercial club nights and electronic music dominated Delhi’s nightlife, Akshay Anand introduced a concept that would change the city’s after-dark culture. At One Boulevard, Saket, he launched Sufi Nights an immersive experience that combined live Sufi music, soulful vocals, powerful percussion, and an atmosphere built on emotion rather than excess.
What began as a bold idea soon became one of Delhi’s most iconic nightlife experiences, attracting packed houses every week and featuring celebrated artists including Suryaveer, Akhil Sachdeva, and many more. The format resonated deeply with audiences looking for something authentic, creating a movement that inspired countless Sufi nights across the city in the years that followed.
More than a decade later, Anand is returning to the genre that helped shape his legacy. This time, he brings it to Naarma with House of Samaa a dedicated weekly Sufi experience that reimagines the original concept for today’s audience while preserving the emotion, authenticity, and musical depth that made it so memorable.
Held every Wednesday from 9 PM onwards, House of Samaa is not designed as a nostalgic revival. Instead, it is the evolution of a format that Anand pioneered bringing together live Sufi performances, contemporary soundscapes, live percussion, storytelling, and immersive production to create an evening unlike anything else currently offered in Delhi.
The experience is led by DJ Nik J, accompanied by live percussion, with surprise appearances from acclaimed artists. Previous editions have welcomed artists such as Akhil Sachdeva and Suryaveer, making every Wednesday a unique celebration of music and culture. For Anand, House of Samaa represents far more than another nightlife property. It is the continuation of a vision he first introduced over a decade ago one where music becomes a shared emotional experience and where audiences gather not simply to party, but to connect.
“House of Samaa is about bringing people together through music that has always carried emotion, spirituality and celebration. We’re not recreating what existed we’re taking that legacy forward in a way that feels relevant today,” says Anand.
With Naarma, Anand has found the perfect home for this next chapter. The venue’s commitment to experiential hospitality and culturally driven programming aligns seamlessly with his vision of creating experiences that go beyond entertainment.
Together, Akshay Anand and Naarma are ensuring that the legacy of Delhi’s original Sufi Nights continues to evolve offering a new generation an experience rooted in live music, culture, and genuine human connection.
More than ten years after launching the movement at One Boulevard, Akshay Anand has come full circle. With House of Samaa, the pioneer of Delhi’s iconic Sufi Nights is once again setting the rhythm for the city’s nightlife proving that while trends may change, authentic experiences never go out of style.
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