Baithak in the Park

Updated On: 30 March, 2024 09:12 AM IST | Mumbai | Devashish Kamble

A citizens group in Shivaji Park silently but steadily continues to promote Hindustani classical music through their sessions that showcase upcoming and veteran performers on the same platform

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Ustad Farooque Latif Khan, Neela Bhagwat and Neil Khopkar at a previous performance

Sandwiched between the old-world charm of South Mumbai and the city’s suburbs lies central Mumbai, where time appears to often take a breather. Head west from Matunga, and you can feel the lingering aroma of freshly brewed filter kaapi give way to the gentle hum of shastriya sangeet [classical music] in Dadar. Or at least, you once could. As Neil Khopkar, who grew up in the neighbourhood, reminisces, “My grandfather would hum shastriya sangeet during his daily chores and even as we headed out for errands in Shivaji Park.” Khopkar, now a trained musician, will take the stage with stalwarts like Neela Bhagwat, Ustad Farooque Latif Khan, Tarun Lala and Prakash Naik at a music baithak today.

Tarun Lala