Strings, soul, and the passing of a legacy
Hearing ‘Kesariya Balam Padharo Mharo Desh’ right at the start of the 27th Swami Haridas Tansen Sangeet Nritya Mahotsav at Shankar Lal Hall felt so familiar, almost like returning to a place you know well. It was the kind of opening that makes you settle into your seat and let the music take over.
Led by Grammy winner Pandit Vishwa Mohan Bhatt, the night was an absolute masterclass. Seeing him on the Mohan Veena with Pt Salil Bhatt and the Manganiyars was something truly special. They moved from the deep Raga Vishwa Ranjini to the rhythmic ‘Balam Ji Mhara Jhirmir Barse Meh’ and a sweet, lilting Pahadi dhun. They blended strict classical rules with raw folk soul so effortlessly that the boundaries between them just melted away. By the time they reached the final notes of Vande Mataram, the entire hall sat in absolute, stunned silence.
Day 2 shifted gears into a much more personal, quiet space. We had some mesmerising moments with Ustad Amaan Ali Bangash on the Sarod and the deep, haunting vocals of Pt. Ulhas Kashalkar. But honestly, the moment everyone is still discussing today involves Pt Hariprasad Chaurasia. In a gesture that proved why he is a true icon, he sat on the stage but remained completely silent. He chose to let his disciple, Rupak Kulkarni, take the lead instead. Kulkarni’s flute recital was soulful, moving through ragas like Yaman, Pahadi, and Bhairavi with genuine emotion. Witnessing a master ‘pass the torch’ in such a humble way, right before our eyes, was an emotional highlight you do not see every day.
It was a beautiful lesson in legacy. Tonight’s grand finale is set to be a truly breathtaking end to this three-day journey. It’s a rare chance for families to pull away from the daily grind and really soak in the best of our heritage. We look forward to the majestic voice of Begum Parween Sultana and the grace of Uma Sharma, who will perform her Kathak dance — a true art of storytelling through movement. We will also hear the delicate, shimmering sounds of Pt Rahul Shivkumar Sharma’s Santoor. The weekend is drawing to a close, but these memories of Raga and rhythm are only just beginning. Make sure you do not miss this final evening of magic.
