Tansen Festival 2025 brings mesmerising musical sojourn to Behat

The last day morning session of the 101st Tansen Festival unfolded in a spiritually charged atmosphere at Behat, the birthplace of the legendary music maestro Tansen, where open-air performances blended devotion, melody, and tradition. Set against the serene backdrop of the Shiva temple and the shimmering river, the gathering transformed Behat into a vibrant pilgrimage of music, with every note appearing to pay homage to Tansen. Connoisseurs felt as though sweet musical notes were gently raining down in Tansen’s courtyard.Held at the very site where the music emperor spent his childhood practising music while tending goats, the venue resonated with history and legend. Local belief holds that the nearby Shiva temple tilted under the impact of Tansen’s singing, and that a mute boy named Tanna, also known as Tansukh, was transformed into the great Tansen through the blessings of Lord Shiva.
The morning session began in a traditional and auspicious manner with Dhruvapad singing. Students of the Dhruvapad Center, Behat, filled the surroundings with spiritual intensity through the powerful composition “Baje Damaru Har Kar Baje” in Raga Gunakali set to Teevra Taal. The presentation was enriched by the strong pakhawaj accompaniment of Jagat Narayan Sharma and the refined guidance of Anuj Pratap Singh.The first main recital of the session was presented by Vishal Moghe from Gwalior–Pune. He opened with a cultured and expressive rendition of Raga Ramkali, weaving emotion, rhythm, and melodic expansion through the composition “Duliya Ne Aavo More Babool.” This was followed by “Kahe Ab Aaye Ho” in Teentaal and the traditional bandish “Barkat Wali Daro E Kori” in Raga Jaunpuri, both of which held the audience in rapt attention. The performance concluded with the Tappa-style composition “Tere Vari Jande Main,” a tribute to the guru tradition that brought the session to an emotional crescendo. The recital was ably supported by Manoj Patidar on tabla and Deepak Khasarawal on harmonium.The morning then flowed into a spellbinding violin performance by Milind Raikar from Mumbai. Paying homage to Tansen’s birthplace, he began with Raga Shuddh Sarang, unfolding its beauty through a slow Ek Taal elaboration and brisk Teentaal passages. The recital concluded with the soothing strains of Raga Pahadi, inspired by the natural surroundings of Behat. The refined accompaniment by Hitendra Dixit on tabla added depth and grace to the performance.

The last day of the 4-day #TansenMusicFestival opened in Behat with soulful Dhrupad and a mesmerising violin recital by Milind Raikar, Mumbai. pic.twitter.com/afQYTQTCeW

— newsinc24 (@newsinc24) December 19, 2025

The concluding presentation of the gathering showcased the enduring strength of the Dhruvapad tradition. Young vocalist Yogini Tambe from the Dhruvapad Center, Gwalior, mesmerised listeners with a poised and luminous rendition of “Vansidhara Peenathdhara Giridhar Gangadhar” in Raga Multani. This was followed by the powerful composition “Hari Ko Dhyavat” in fast-paced Sool Taal, lifting the audience to spiritual heights. The dignified pakhawaj accompaniment by Jagat Narayan Sharma added gravitas to the performance.The gathering witnessed the presence of District Panchayat chairperson Durgesh Kunwar Singh Jatav, regional MLA Sahab Singh Gurjar, former Seed Corporation chairman Mahendra Singh Yadav, Director of Ustad Allauddin Khan Music and Arts Academy Prakash Singh Thakur, SDM Surya Kant Tripathi, along with other public representatives and officials. A large number of music lovers from nearby villages, Gwalior, and other cities attended the session, while several foreign enthusiasts also experienced the rich musical tradition on display.

(Asstt.Editor)