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The grand cultural festival held from 27 to 29 November 2025 unfolded like a sacred tapestry of rhythm, melody, devotion, and the timeless elegance of India’s classical arts. Conceptualised with vision and artistic sensitivity by renowned tabla maestro Pandit Prasenjit Poddar, the three-day celebration stood as a heartfelt offering to Kolkata’s discerning lovers of culture. Every performance shimmered with the brilliance of tradition while embracing the freshness of contemporary expression—transforming the festival into a musical and spiritual pilgrimage.

Day 1: A Dawn of Grace and Devotion – 27 November 2025

The inaugural evening opened with the serene beauty of Odissi, performed by Ms. Sulagna Bhattacharjee, whose movements conveyed both precision and divine expression. This was followed by a captivating Kathak duet by Pt. Deepak Maharaj and Guru Madhumita Roy, seamlessly blending rhythmic virtuosity with expressive storytelling.

The mood grew deeper with the soulful vocals of Padma Bhushan Acharya Gokulotsavji Maharaj and Dr. Vrjotsav Goswami, accompanied by Pt. Gopal Mishra, Pt. Ashis Sengupta, and Hironmoy Mitra, who together created an atmosphere of serene devotion.

Legendary flautist Padma Vibhushan Pt. Hariprasad Chaurasia, joined by Suchismita and Debapriya, then offered a meditative cascade of melody. The evening concluded with a dynamic percussion ensemble led by Pt. Anindo Chatterjee, Ustad Taufiq Qureshi, Shikhar Naad Qureshi, and Aman Hossien, celebrating the exhilarating power of rhythm.

Day 2: A Symphony of Tradition and Innovation – 28 November 2025

The second day began with an enchanting Odissi trio by Padma Shri Ramli Ibrahim, Guru Gajendra Panda, and Guru Meera Das, whose synchronised movements portrayed devotion and beauty in motion.

This was followed by a soulful Vocal–Flute Jugalbandi by Pt. Kaivalya Kumar Gurav and Pt. Pravin Godkhindi, accompanied by Pt. Sanjay Mukherjee on tabla and Sarwar Hussain on sarangi, blending lyrical depth with the delicate resonance of the bansuri.

A mesmerising Violin–Santoor Jugalbandi by Pt. L. Shankar and Pt. Tarun Bhattacharya, supported by Pt. Avijit Banerjee on tabla, painted a shimmering musical landscape.

The evening concluded with a majestic Mohanveena and Rajasthani Folk Ensemble featuring Padma Bhushan Pt. Vishwamohan Bhatt, Padma Shri Anwar Khan, and their team, accompanied by Yashwant Vaishnav on tabla. The fusion of folk and classical elements created a vivid sonic portrait of India’s cultural richness.

Day 3: The Grand Confluence – 29 November 2025

The final evening, beginning at 8 PM, unfolded as a spectacular confluence of classical artistry. The opening act—an exquisite dance trio by Padma Shri Pratibha Prahlad, Guru Vidha Lal, and Dr. Sanchita Bhattacharya—brought together Bharatanatyam, Kathak, and Odissi in a luminous expression of grace, rhythm, and bhava.

This was followed by a soulful Guitar–Vocal Jugalbandi by Pt. Debasish Bhattacharya and Raghab Chatterjee, accompanied by Pt. Tanmoy Bose and Sri Debasish Adhikary, weaving an evocative interplay of melody and rhythm.

The atmosphere surged with energy during the Sitar–Electric Veena Jugalbandi by Pt. Purbayan Chatterjee and Pt. Rajesh Vaidya, powered by the dynamic tabla of Pt. Bickram Ghosh, showcasing tradition fearlessly embracing innovation.

A serene moment followed with the Bhajan–Flute Jugalbandi of Padma Shri Pt. Anup Jalota and Padma Shri Pt. Ronu Majumdar, offering purity and devotional warmth.

A powerful rhythmic dialogue then took shape under the mastery of Pt. Kumar Bose, Anantha R. Krishnan, and Giridhar Udupa, assisted by Hironmoy Mitra, weaving a conversation of tabla, mridangam, and ghatam that transcended language.

The festival drew to a sublime close with a Violin–Vocal Jugalbandi by Pt. Mysore Manjunath and Pt. Sanjeev Abhyankar, accompanied by Ustad Fazal Qureshi. Their seamless interplay offered a soul-soothing and memorable finale.

 A Festival to Remember

This three-day celebration was more than a cultural event—it was an artistic journey. Conceived and curated by Pandit Prasenjit Poddar, the festival honoured India’s classical legacy while presenting it with depth, devotion, and contemporary resonance. For the music lovers of Kolkata, it was a cherished offering—one that will be remembered with admiration for years to come.