Coldplay. Ed Sheeran. Dua Lipa. Mumbai is now a preferred venue for touring music icons. Yet, the city offers an equal opportunity to musicians looking to explore an alternative avenue. The new music initiative, Umbaaro, will host one such experience, Baithak: A classical soirée, that highlights the intimacy of music this weekend at Lower Parel. Guitarist Aniket Gundewar reveals, “Indian classical music is generally an intimate performance art. It is important to understand that the idea of large concerts for classical music is fairly new. A smaller space is more appropriate for this form.” 

A student of Pandit Atulkumar Upadhye, Gundewar’s use of the electrical guitar as an instrument for Hindustani classical ragas stands out. He describes the style as one that combines the ‘gayaki ang’ and tantkari tantra techniques. “Even as a performer, playing near the audience is a welcome change. Often, we can hardly read the expressions or the reaction of the people who listen,” he shares.