Ustad Bade Ghulam Ali Khan Music Fest a Treat for Classical Music Lovers

Hyderabad: The sixth season of the Ustad Bade Ghulam Ali Khan National Festival of Music & Dance at Ravindra Bharathi enthralled audiences with a symphony of classical melodies and the graceful Odissi dance.

Orchestrated by the Sangitanjaly Foundation, in collaboration with the Dept of Language & Culture, Govt of Telangana, the festival is dedicated to the memory of the legendary Ustad Bade Ghulam Ali Khan, who spent his final days in Hyderabad.

The inaugural performance by Pandit Aranyakumar, wielding the unique ‘esraj’, accompanied by tabla maestro Najmuddin Javed, set the tone for a captivating evening steeped in classical traditions. Swiss-born musician Ken Zuckerman, a disciple of Ustad Ali Akbar Khan Saheb, showcased his sarod virtuosity, delving into Raga Hemant and the iconic Raga Chandranandan.

The second day featured a spellbinding Odissi presentation by Bithika Mistry, who brought to the stage the timeless grace of the ancient temple dance.

The late Mohan Hemmadi, president of Surmandal, was posthumously conferred the Ustad Bade Ghulam Ali Khan Sangitanjali Ratna Award by Pandit Ajay Chakrabarty for his significant contribution to promoting Indian classical music in the country.

Pandit Ajay Chakrabarty, of the Patiala Kasur Gharana, graced the festival's finale, leaving the audience in awe with renditions of Raga Rageshwari and ‘thumris’ in Raga Maaj Khamaj. The concert concluded with the signature hymn Hari Om Tatsat in ‘Raga Pahadi’, creating a meditative atmosphere.

The festival reached music lovers across India through a live stream, underscoring the enduring power of classical arts to unite hearts and transcend boundaries.