Both young and old were enthralled by India's great classical musicians.
Ustad Bismillah Khan once said, "Aaj kal ke zamaane mein wah wah karne waale bahut milenge. Par aah! Karne wala koi nahi hai."
However, if you come to the Saptak Music Festival you may find a different perspective of music in the minds of people.
Day two of 32nd Saptak fest concluded with Pt. Hariprasad Chaurasia's flute recital. Just like The Pied Piper of Hamelin, he enchanted the people with his soulful music. Listeners of all age groups and many music lovers were seen savouring the wonderful fare along with their children. The young and the old, they all enjoyed the music with the same emotion.
Banaras gharana reigned all the way on the second day of festival, which is India's biggest of its kind and which has won accolades year in, year out.
Before Pt Chaurasia, Vinod Lele of Banaras gharana set the tone for the evening with his unique style of tabla playing that was characterised by vigour and great skill. He brought a touch of sweetness to his performance that was appreciated by all.
Vocalist Balraj Shastri began the evening in Raag Puriya Dhanashree. He was accompanied by Sapan Anjaria on tabla and Rujul Shah on harmonium.
The second session had Vishnu Sahay performing a solo on tabla. He said, "It's been 20 years since I have been performing on Saptak stage, but I am nervous before every performance. Looking at so many artists in front of me, I just cannot keep my calm." And on that note he mesmerised the audience with the dynamism of his instrument.
The third session featured Suhas Yyas, son and disciple of Padmabhushan Pandit CR Vyas, who is an established vocalist on the contemporary scene of Indian classical music and his own style is deeply rooted in tradition. He was accompanied by Allarakha Kalavant, who is a sarangi player and has been receiving training under Manju Mehta on sitar and in sarangi under Ustad Abdul Latif Khan.
In the late hours of the night the mellifluous notes of Hariprasad Chaurasia's basuri resounded in the wintry air.
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