An Enchanting Evening of Music at the India Center

Last Saturday, while rain drizzled outside and the chill in the air lingered, the India Center became a haven of warmth, coziness, and enchantment—thanks to the magic of music. ISW, in collaboration with Learnquest Academy of Music, presented a Classical Music Recital as part of a pre-conference program for Learnquest’s upcoming Music Conference.

The evening kicked off with the calming prayer "Hamko Mann Ki Shakti Dena," based on Raga Kedar from the Hindi film Guddi. ISW’s Vocal Ensemble, accompanied by Yash Naik on tabla, set the perfect tone, enveloping the audience in a peaceful, melodic atmosphere.

Indian Classical Music is divided into two major traditions: Hindustani Sangeet (from Northern India) and Carnatic Sangeet (from the South). The event’s journey took the audience to the heart of Southern India with an exceptional performance by Smt. Tara Anand’s students from Anubhav School of Music. They were joined by Sudarshan Thirumalai on the mridangam, Prahlad Chakravarthy on the kanjira, and Sahana Venkatesh on the veena, showcasing the brilliance of Carnatic music.

Many popular songs and melodies are inspired by Hindustani Classical ragas, and this was the focus of a fascinating Lecture Demonstration by Shuchita Ji Rao. She took the attendees on a musical tour from core classical forms like Khayal and Tarana, to folk songs and film hits. Her students brought these pieces to life with beautiful renditions, offering a nostalgic trip down memory lane.

The magic continued with a special presentation by the ISW Vocal Ensemble, who performed a medley of Hindi movie songs inspired by Raga Yaman, often called the “king of Ragas.” The ensemble’s intricate weaving of melodies, with tiny sargams added in between, created a mesmerizing musical garland that captured the essence of Yaman in various genres.

Vocal Ensemble Group:
Anju Shukla, Aruna Tikkare, Kiran Mayi, Rashmi Subramanian, Sandhya Patel, Sandipa Barat, Sarita Deshpande, Shipra Gupta, Suhana Shah, Usha Yadav, Veena Dindore, Yatin Manjrekar
Guitar: Kavi Wagholikar
Tabla: Yash Naik
Harmonium: Sarita Deshpande

The grand finale of the evening featured the brilliant Hindustani classical vocal performance by Vidushi Ruchira Panda, an exponent of the Kotali Gharana. Her rendition of Raga Yaman Vilambi Khayal, followed by Drut Khayal and Tap-Khayal, was a feast for the ears, with a deeply expressive Aalap and Taan that captivated the audience. She concluded with a Thumari composed by her guru, Shri Manas Chakraborty. Every progression of her swaras, from Mandra Saptak to Taar Shadaj, was delivered with finesse, creating breathtaking moments that were nothing short of magical.

The event was attended by ISW and Learnquest members, along with their families and friends, all of whom left with an overwhelming sense of joy and inspiration. The community has expressed a strong desire for more such classical and semi-classical music programs at the India Center, and we look forward to creating more unforgettable musical experiences in the future!

Let the magic of music continue!

Pictures by Govind Dindore