27th Swami Haridas Tansen Festival Concludes with Grand Finale
The 27th Swami Haridas Tansen Sangeet Nritya Mahotsav wrapped up on Sunday evening. This three-day event showcased extraordinary classical music and dance performances. It celebrated India's rich artistic legacy and the enduring spirit of the guru-shishya parampara.
Dr. Uma Sharma's Kathak Performance Opens Final Evening
The final evening began with a deeply nuanced Kathak presentation. Dr. Uma Sharma led her disciples in this performance. It was rooted in the pure technical tradition of Kathak.
Dr. Uma Sharma brought the performance alive through timeless bhaavs. She performed the famous Surda padh "Maiyya Mori Main Nahi Makhan Khayo". True to her guru Pt. Shambhu Maharaj's teachings, she demonstrated how bhaav is the soul of Kathak. She balanced technical mastery with emotional depth.
At 84 years of age, Dr. Uma Sharma continues to perform on stage with remarkable grace. She remains an enduring force in India's cultural landscape. Her lifelong contribution to preserving and promoting Indian classical arts is inseparable from the festival's legacy. Dr. Uma Sharma envisioned and named the Swami Haridas Tansen Sangeet Nritya Mahotsav. She shaped it into one of the country's most respected platforms for classical music and dance.
Pt. Rahul Shivkumar Sharma's Santoor Recital
Following the Kathak performance, Pt. Rahul Shivkumar Sharma presented an evocative santoor recital. He carried forward the rich legacy of his father, the legendary Pt. Shivkumar Sharma.
His performance featured melodious explorations in classical ragas. He interwove signature compositions that highlighted the santoor's lyrical warmth, rhythmic clarity, and meditative resonance. The audience remained in quiet contemplation throughout his recital.
Begum Parween Sultana's Vocal Performance Concludes Festival
The festival concluded with a spellbinding vocal performance by Begum Parween Sultana. Her powerful yet emotive voice brought the three-day Mahotsav to a soulful close.
She is renowned for her command over khayal. She effortlessly traverses intricate taans and expansive raga vistas. Her recital included timeless compositions that reflected both technical virtuosity and deep emotional intensity. Prolonged applause followed her performance, standing as a testament to her enduring stature in Indian classical music.
Reflections from Festival Organizers
Padma Bhushan Dr. Uma Sharma, Founder and Artistic Director of Bharatiya Sangeet Sadan and Patron of the Mahotsav, shared her thoughts. She said, "When we began this festival years ago, there were barely 50 to 100 people in the audience. At that time, Pandit Ravi Shankar ji once told me, 'Uma, one day you will see thousands coming to listen.' Today, seeing nearly 3,000 to 4,000 rasikas over the three days of the Swami Haridas Tansen Sangeet Nritya Mahotsav, I feel that blessing has truly come alive."
Dr. Vinay Bharat Ram, Managing Trustee of Shri Ram Centre for Performing Arts, added his perspective. He stated, "Each edition of this Mahotsav strengthens its legacy as a cultural beacon. The overwhelming response this year underscores the timeless relevance of Indian classical music and dance. It highlights our responsibility to preserve and promote it for future generations."
Highlights from Previous Days
The final evening also brought back memories of the festival's earlier highlights. Day 1 witnessed a rare jugalbandi by Pt. Vishwamohan Bhatt on the Mohan Veena and Pt. Salil Bhatt on the Satvik Veena. They were accompanied by the Manganiyars from Rajasthan. This performance blended classical improvisation with folk vibrancy.
Day 1 also featured an immersive sitar recital by Ustad Shujaat Khan. Vidushi Ashwini Bhide Deshpande gave a soulful vocal performance.
Day 2 offered a similar enriching experience. It included a meditative sarod recital by Ustad Amaan Ali Bangash and a powerful khayal presentation by Pt. Ulhas Kashalkar. A historic moment occurred when Pt. Hariprasad Chaurasia chose to step aside. He presented his disciple Rupak Kulkarni at centre stage, symbolising the living legacy of the guru-shishya tradition.
Festival Concludes as Resounding Success
With packed audiences, spellbinding performances, and an atmosphere steeped in artistic reverence, the 27th Swami Haridas Tansen Sangeet Nritya Mahotsav concluded as a resounding success. It reaffirmed its place as one of India's most respected platforms for classical music and dance. The event showcased the vibrant continuity of India's classical arts and the deep respect for the guru-shishya parampara that sustains them.
