Tansen Fest'25 concludes with an ode to maternal power at Gwalior fort

The walls of the historic Gwalior Fort resonated with profound emotion and artistic devotion as the 101st Tansen Festival culminated on Friday evening with its final music session, traditionally dedicated to Shakti—the maternal power. Held in the courtyard of the iconic Gujari Mahal, the concluding evening became a moving confluence of Indian classical tradition, feminine creative strength, and spiritual depth.The special session brought together distinguished women vocalists and instrumentalists from across the country, who enthralled audiences with performances spanning Dhrupad, Khayal, Thumri, and percussion. The evening stood as a vibrant expression of emotion, discipline, and aesthetic beauty, reaffirming the enduring legacy of the Tansen Festival.The auspicious commencement unfolded with the solemn gravity of Dhrupad. Teachers and students of Tansen Music College, Gwalior, presented a disciplined rendition of the Chautal bandish “Kete Din Gaye Leke” in Raag Bhupali. Accompanied by Jagat Narayan Sharma on pakhawaj, the presentation reflected the rigour, dignity, and continuity of the Dhrupad tradition.
The first major performance of the evening featured senior Delhi-based vocalist Dr. Nalini Joshi, a renowned exponent of the Kirana gharana and disciple of Padma Vibhushan Dr. Prabha Atre. Her Khayal recital in Raag Yaman unfolded through three compositions composed by her guru. The vilambit bandish “Sumiran Shri Ganesh” created a contemplative mood, followed by the drut three-beat composition “Jai Jai Shri Ganesh Jai Jai,” which filled the space with devotional fervour. A brisk tarana further expanded the canvas of her performance, before she concluded with a bhajan. Harmonium accompaniment by Damodar Ghosh and tabla support by Ustad Akhtar Hasan Khan added refined rhythmic balance to the recital.The rhythmic dimension of the evening was elevated by Indore-based tabla exponent Dr. Sangeeta Agnihotri, a disciple of Pandit Dinkar Mujumdar. Her solo performance showcased traditional forms including Uthan, Peshkar, Kaida, and Rela, highlighting clarity, strength, and compositional command. Sarangi accompaniment by Abid Hussain Khan enriched the tonal depth of the presentation.

#TansenMusicFestival2025 concluded with classical fervour ,Indore’s Sangeeta Agnihotri mesmerising audiences with her powerful and nuanced tabla performance. pic.twitter.com/Sao90rpOoH

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Subsequently, Delhi-based vocalist Uma Garg captivated the audience with her emotive and gharana-rooted singing. Beginning with the vilambit bandish “Piya Ghar Aaye Jiya Ati Sukh Paaye” in Raag Kalawati, she moved seamlessly into the drut composition “Sajan Aaye,” suffusing the atmosphere with romantic sentiment. Her Jhaptal bandish “Kandhe Kamaliya” in Raag Chandrakosh and the evocative Thumri “Ab Ke Sawan Ghar Aaja” in Raag Tilkamod left listeners deeply moved. She was ably accompanied by Ustad Akhtar Hasan Khan on tabla and Zakir Dhaulpuri on harmonium.The concluding performance of the evening was rendered by Vidushi Madhumita Naqvi, whose poised and expressive singing brought the festival to a graceful close. After a brief alap in Raag Nandkons, she presented the vilambit and drut bandish “Padun Tori Paiyaan,” marked by nuanced phrasing and emotional intensity. She further enriched her recital with a Dadra in Kounsi Dhwani and a Ram bhajan in Shivaranjani, completing the ceremony on a deeply devotional note. Sanjay Rathore on tabla and Deepak Khasrawat on harmonium provided sensitive accompaniment.Organised by the Ustad Alauddin Khan Music and Art Academy under the Department of Culture, Government of Madhya Pradesh, with support from the District Administration, Gwalior Municipal Corporation, and the Madhya Pradesh Tourism Department, the 101st Tansen Festival concluded as a powerful reaffirmation of India’s rich classical heritage—where tradition, devotion, and artistic excellence continue to resonate across generations.

(Asstt.Editor)