Three-day music festival in Mumbai pays homage to late Indian classical musicians

Zakir Hussain, Parveen Sultana, Pandit Rajan and Sajan Mishra, Pandit Ronu Majumdar

Ustad Zakir Hussain

Classsicle music aficionados in Mumbai are in for a treat, as this year's first Indian classical music concert will bring together the who's who from the circuit.

Padmashree Begum Parveen Sultana

Titled Swaranjali, the three-day festival boasts of an impressive line-up, featuring vocalist Begum Parveen Sultana, tabla maestro Ustad Zakir Hussain, flautist Pandit Ronu Mujumdar, vocalists Rajan and Sajan Mishra and sitarist Ustad Shujaat Khan, among others.

The 14th edition of the festival celebrates musical notes. However, this time around, it has been organised to commemorate late Indian classical music veterans. "Our endeavour is to pay tribute to late Hindustani vocalists Pandit Suresh Haldankar, Pandit Jitendra Abhisheki and Pandit CR Vyas. We will perform khayals and bhajans," says Pandit Rajan Mishra, who is among the performers.

Pandit Rajan and Sajan Mishra

The festival will commence with a recital by vocalist Pandit Shounak Abhisheki. The first day concludes with a jugalbandi between Pandit Majumdar on the flute and Hussain on the tabla.

Majumdar is looking forward to sharing the stage with Hussain. "Performing with Zakir bhai is always a learning experience," he admits. The second day of the event features Ustad Shujaat Khan and vocalist Venkatesh Kumar.

Pandit Ronu Majumdar

Swaranjali, which has been organised by the Swaraprabha trust, will conclude with the acts of Pandit Rajan and Sajan and Begum Sultana. She is glad that she's performing in the festival again. "I will perform evening ragas. I am grateful to Amit Karekar (from Swaraprabha) for giving me the opportunity to be a part of the tribute festival again," she shares. Swaranjali is a charity event and the proceeds will go towards providing scholarships to destitutes and upcoming artistes.