Music for heritage

Rakesh Chaurasia (centre) with young flautists, Pakhawaj Vidwan Pandit Bhawani Shankar (in pink) and Anita Garware, chairperson of Indian Heritage Society at a rehearsal for Mumbai Sanskriti festival in 2016 at the Asiatic Libary, Fort. Pic/Bipin Kokate

Toâu00c2u0080u00c2u0088celebrate Mumbai's diverse and culturally rich heritage, the Indian Heritage Society, supported by the Maharashtra Tourism Development Corporation, is organising a two-day open-air music festival. Titled Mumbai Sanskriti, the event will be held outside the iconic Asiatic Library. The highlight of day one will be a recital by tabla maestro Ustad Zakir Hussain, who will be performing for free. He is looking forward to taking the stage at the historic steps of the Asiatic Library.

Zakir Hussain

"Performing at an open-air venue is always challenging. It will be a pleasure to perform at such a beautiful heritage precinct. I'll be happy to play there," says Hussain, who will be accompanied by Sabir Khan on the sarangi.

Devaki Pandit

Eminent classical vocalist Devaki Pandit will spearhead the affairs on the second day of the festival. Rohit Mujumdar will accompany her on the tabla and Niranjan Lele on the harmonium. "Such iconic monuments have a story to tell, and that will exhilarate me as a singer," she says.