Tansen Festival–2025:Morning ragas unfold in dawn’s golden glow

The second day of the 101st Tansen Festival began on a serene and spiritually uplifting note as the morning music session resonated with the ascend and descend of raagas in the soft golden light of dawn. Set against the tranquil atmosphere of Gwalior, the session immersed listeners in devotion and musical contemplation, transforming the venue into a realm of calm and divinity.The morning proceedings opened with traditional dhrupad singing by students of the Indian Music College, Gwalior. Their rendition of “Vishnu Charan Jal, Brahma Kamandal Neer…” in Raag Bhatiyar set a dignified classical tone. Marked by disciplined notation, measured emotion and rhythmic balance, the presentation evoked a sense of inner peace among listeners. The pakhawaj accompaniment was provided by Sanjay Aafle, with Varsha Mishra on swar-vadini and vocal coordination managed by Sanjay Devle.

Morning melodies at #TansenFestival2025 immersed Gwalior in dawn’s golden glow, as Dhrupad, Hawaiian guitar and sarangi created a divine, soulful musical experience. pic.twitter.com/6b8Dfgu06l

— newsinc24 (@newsinc24) December 16, 2025

This was followed by a compelling performance by Pandit Sunil Pawagi of Gwalior, an eminent practitioner of Hindustani classical music on the rare Western instrument, the Hawaiian guitar. Drawing from the traditions of the Gwalior and Agra gharanas, Pawagi presented Raag Bilaskhani Todi with depth and sensitivity. Beginning with a meditative alaap, he gradually unfolded the raag through jor and jhala, capturing its pathos and emotional richness. His compositions in Jhaptal and Teental reflected both technical finesse and creative imagination. The flowing tonal quality of the Hawaiian guitar created a rare confluence of tradition and innovation, before he concluded with a graceful rendering of Raag Basant Mukhar.
The final performance of the session featured renowned sarangi exponent Ghanshyam Sisodia of Delhi, whose roots are deeply connected to Madhya Pradesh and the Gwalior gharana. Performing on the historic platform of the Tansen Festival, Sisodia presented Raag Madhuwanti, infusing it with compassion, sweetness and nuanced expression. His expansive alaap in Ashtamangal taal, followed by brisk compositions in Teental, highlighted his command over both melody and rhythm. The session concluded with Raag Mishra Bhairavi, leaving the audience immersed in emotion. He was accompanied on the tabla by Balram Sisodia, while Krishna Sisodia supported on the sarangi.Overall, the morning music session stood out as a refined blend of melodic exploration, classical discipline and emotive depth. Immersed in the calm of early morning, the performances offered a spiritually enriching experience, leaving an enduring impression on all present at the Tansen Festival.

(Asstt.Editor)