Welcoming the spring with Hindustani classical

The festival that ushers Spring has an important significance for India. It is the beginning of the harvest and a time of vitality. On this day, people honour Goddess Saraswati, the Goddess of learning, arts, and music. And what better way to worship the goddess of music than with melodies associated with Spring.

A baithak of Hindustani classical music was organised at MF studio, sector 22, Dwarka on the occasion of Basant Panchami. In this informal setting, Basant Ritu (season) ragas were presented in Chhota Khayal and bhajans.

The participating artists were Dr Shailesh Kumar (vocals), Durjay Bhaumik (tabla) and Dr Richa Jain (vocals). In addition, Richa also performed a Rajasthani folk song called Jangda. Dr. Shailesh also sang a saraswati vandana Jai Jai Matangi Mata on raag Hansdhwani.

After the programme, it was decided to continue this baithaki tradition in Dwarka on a fortnightly basis. Dwarka has a host of artists and lovers of Hindustani classical music who want to revive this tradition of baithaks (home sitting) now that the fear of Covid has receded at the moment.

The programme was organised by Madhumita Acharya Biswas, who runs Melody Foundation, a Dwarka based NGO working to promote Hindustani Classical Music.