Culture is experienced, not just observed.
Kala Sangam is a cultural platform rooted in Agra. We bring artists, communities, students, travellers and institutions together — through experiences, a physical space, festivals and hands-on learning.
Different forms of culture, meeting in one place
Kala Sangam works across three connected divisions. Each stands on its own — together they form an ecosystem rooted in Agra but designed to create connections far beyond it.
Kalakar Walks — walking experiences of Agra’s monuments and neighbourhoods, read through design, art, story, food and craft.
Kala Kutir — an artist residency and cultural centre 3.5 km from the Taj, hosting music, food, festivals and gatherings.
Kala Virasat — a growing digital archive of the region’s music, crafts, oral histories and the people who carry them.
The Learning Labs
Across all three divisions, our Learning Labs bring students and institutions into the work — co-creating real festivals and projects in the city, alongside artists and communities.
Where it started
One question about Agra.
Kala Sangam began with Kaleem Ahmed Qureshi — a designer, curator and cultural entrepreneur from Agra, whose work sits where design, art, heritage, travel and community meet.
Kaleem graduated in engineering in 2012 and worked as a Data Engineer at Sapient, then moved into Agra’s jewellery trade as a retailer and manufacturer. Alongside that, he kept being drawn towards the city’s art and cultural life. In 2017 he started the UP80 Artist Residency, a space for artists to live and work in Agra. In 2019 he co-founded Agra Heritage Walk, spending several years on more meaningful ways for visitors to experience the city.
Those years led to a larger question: what if Agra could be experienced not just through its monuments, but through its people, artists, stories, food, music, crafts and everyday cultural life?
That question became Kala Sangam — a platform where different forms of culture could meet, and where artists, communities, students, travellers and institutions could come together. Rooted in Agra, built to connect far beyond it.
Who’s behind Kala Sangam
Kaleem Ahmed Qureshi
Director
Shantanu Jadaun
Heritage Expert
Saloni Mahajan
Designer
Arhaan-Ur-Rehmaan
Storyteller
Tanishka Kachru
Visiting Design Expert
Apal Singh
Visiting Filmmaker
Built with, and recognised by.
- Agra Arts Festival — co-curated with NID Ahmedabad and Krantinaari
- The founder’s work has been featured in the BBC, Condé Nast Traveller and Dainik Jagran
- Collaboration with The Established
- Programmes aligned with UNESCO Sustainable Development Goal 11 — Sustainable Cities & Communities