Mumbai Sanskriti festival to harmonize heritage and music at iconic Asiatic Society Steps

From sitar to guitar, an array of instruments will confluence on the iconic steps of the Asiatic Society of Mumbai next weekend. In its 32nd edition this year, the two-day annual Mumbai Sanskriti Festival will open with a performance by ace flautist Rakesh Chaurasia, nephew of Pandit Hariprasad Chaurasia, on January 13 and feature shows by acclaimed Hindustani classical vocalists Ashwini Bhide-Deshpande and Sanjeev Abhyankar on January 14 .
Born out of a signature petition to save the now historic precinct of the Banganga Tank, the event presented by the Indian Heritage Society (IHS) and supported by Maharashtra tourism got life as the iconic Banganga Festival in 1992.
“While all Mumbai citizens had heard about the Banganga Tank, very few were acquainted with its location, history, and importance. We felt live music was the best way to raise awareness," recalls Anita Garware, chairperson of 1979-born IHS Mumbai which has been rejuvenating heritage structures in the city with the aim of conserving culture.
Entry to the two-day festival is free. “Heritage speaks from frozen architecture as well as from a live tradition such as Hindustani classical music," says vocalist Ashwini Bhide-Deshpande. "The Mumbai Sanskriti initiative brings them together frozen music (architecture) and fluid architecture (music),” she adds.