There is something about Mahesh Kale’s music that transcends age. Whether in India or abroad, silver-haired connoisseurs sit alongside hoodie-clad millennials as they listen in rapture to the classical vocalist at his concerts. Tell him he commands the fan following of a rock star, and he smiles before saying, “Whether I look like a rock star or not, you should ask the audience. I don’t know what a rock star is supposed to feel like. Something I’m doing is probably vibing with the younger generation.”

Kale, who lives in Silicon Valley, is currently taking his Abhangwari Tour across India to mark Ashadi Ekadashi, a festival in Maharashtra that celebrates the beginning of Lord Vishnu’s four-month slumber, known as Chaturmas. On this sacred day, Lord Vitthal’s devotees undertake a pilgrimage to Pandharpur. The singer’s eight-city tour is dedicated entirely to abhangs, devotional songs dedicated to Lord Vitthal. “Devotion is in the air. Performing during this time feels like walking musically with the pilgrims,” says Kale.

The singer, who has built a rich 20-year career on classical and devotional music, explains that his approach is rooted in the traditional concepts of ‘Prachar’ and ‘Prasar’ — awareness and outreach. He particularly wants to reach out to the younger generation. His reason is simple. “I want to ensure the traditional audience stays, but also that the younger generation joins in. Your art is only as sustainable as the age of your audience. If the average listener is 80, you have 20  more years. But if they’re 20, you have 80 more years.”