Raagas, reverie and a hall lost in sound

Blissful rhythms echoed through the Sant Gadge Ji Maharaj Auditorium as the Uttar Pradesh Sangeet Natak Akademi marked its foundation day with the Dharohar concert. A large crowd of music lovers streamed in, filling the hall with anticipation.

The night opened with Pune’s celebrated vocalist Pandit Raghunandan Panshikar, whose very first notes in Raag Yaman set the tone. He offered a gentle tribute to his guru, Kishori Amonkar, by presenting her timeless composition Mo Man Lagan Lagi. The energy shifted as he moved into the traditional drut bandish Eri Aali Piya Bin, bringing a spark that lifted the hall.

He closed with the devotional Baaje Re Muraliya Baaje, associated with the voices of Pandit Bhimsen Joshi and Lata Mangeshkar, giving the evening its warmest emotional peak. He was accompanied by Kshitij Singh on harmonium, Vinod Lele on tabla, and Rajpal Singh and Aparna Panshikar on tanpura.

People were seen gently swaying, tapping their feet, and recording snippets on their phones, eager to share it on their social feeds. The blend of classical depth and intimate connection made the evening feel personal for every listener.
After the vocal recital, Padma Shri Ronu Majumdar carried the programme forward with an evocative bansuri performance. He opened with an alap in Raag Jhinjhoti, unfolding the raga’s mood with a quiet elegance before shifting into the jod and jhala sections.

Each passage drew appreciative murmurs that soon turned into long applause. His Rupak taal composition showcased his signature clarity and improvisational fluency. On flute, he was accompanied by Arthav Pratap Singh, with Sapan Anjaria on tabla adding crisp, sensitive rhythmic support.
-Manas Mishra