The 18th edition of the Swami Haridas Tansen Sangeet Nritya Mahotsav saw legends performing in the field of vocal and instrumental music regaling the audience

Indian classical music is a cultural inheritance like no other. The 18th edition of the Swami Haridas Tansen Sangeet Nritya Mahotsav certainly has a connection with Tansen and Haridas. The classical style of presenting music was prevalent in the Mughal era, where two music geniuses of India gained immense popularity — Swami Haridas (saint-musician, poet and composer of Brindavan) and his illustrious disciple Mian Tansen. This festival was initiated to keep alive that musical heritage.

Dedicated to 16th century poets and musicians, the festival had performances by eminent musicians and dancers such as Parveen Sultana, Gundecha Brothers, Bickram Ghosh, Pandit Salil Bhatt, Pandit Shiv Kumar Sharma, Ustad Amjad Ali Khan, and Uma Sharma among others.

“The event encourages the younger generation to listen and absorb the purity of Indian classical music and dance. A traditional atmosphere was created in a mehfil andaaz representing the old musical style of our country. I wanted them to hear what their forefathers listened to,” Kathak exponent Uma Sharma said. She performed a three sequence dance drama based on the eternal love between Radha and Krishna in thumri style.

Begum Parveen Sultana, who’s an exponent of the Patiala Gharana of Indian classical form of music, spoke about her experience, she said, “The festival is a reputed classical music event being organised for nearly two decades now and I am very pleased to be performing here.” She shared that the Tansen Mahotsav used to be hosted in Gwalior when she was a young girl.

Bikram Ghosh, a well-known tabla player, known to create magic spells in Indo-fusion generes, performed Drums of India with three other percussionists. He brought together a virtuosic five-person ensemble which explored the ancient world of Indian percussion.

Amaan Ali Bangash shared, “Musical vibrations can influence moods and emotions and have the ability to shape our consciousness. Disparate types of music can have different effects on the mind, both positive as well as negative. Our mind must be nurtured and needs stimulation to develop and grow. Music is one of the most important food for the intellect.

The festival saw Dr Ashwini Bhide Deshpande reciting a raga Purva Kalyan followed by her melodious thumri. Sri Binod Lele on tabla. She said, “I have been performing for several years now. The sammelan attracts very elite and knowledgeable audience and that is the reason why it’s always a pleasure to perform here.”

The renowned classical dancer, Yamini Krishnamurthy while praising Uma Sharma said, “I admire everything about Uma. She is one of the very few, who’s promoting Indian culture wholeheartedly. Uma is one of those gems, who’s divinely gifted. Even my father think highly of her. The goodness of her will always be in my heart.”

The four day musical extravaganza culminated with a high note with none other than Ustad Amjad Ali Khan. With a promise of meeting next year, Ustad Amjad made the audience sublime with his tune of sarod.