Shriram Shankarlal Music Festival

The Shriram Shankarlal Music Festival, one of India’s oldest and most prestigious classical music events, will be held from March 21 to 23, at Kendra’s Open-Air Theatre in New Delhi. Supported by Maruti Suzuki India Limited, the festival will bring together some of the finest musicians in Indian classical music, featuring both legendary artists and emerging talents.

The festival, which has a rich history dating back to India’s independence, was originally initiated by Sumitra Charat Ram, founder of Shriram Bharatiya Kala Kendra. She organised an all-night musical gathering on August 15, 1947, which later led to the formation of the Jhankar Music Circle and eventually the annual festival. Over the decades, it has hosted some of the greatest names in Indian classical music and remains a significant part of the country’s cultural calendar.

Speaking about the festival, Shobha Deepak Singh, Chairperson of Shriram Bharatiya Kala Kendra, said that it continues to be a major platform for Indian classical music and serves as a bridge between tradition and innovation. She expressed pride in offering a stage for both seasoned maestros and young artists who represent the evolving landscape of classical music.

The three-day festival will feature performances by acclaimed musicians, beginning with Santoor maestro Rahul Sharma on March 21, followed by a recital from renowned vocalist Ashwini Bhide Deshpande. On March 22, audiences will witness performances by flute duo Debopriya and Suchismita Chatterjee and vocalists Prabhakar and Diwakar Kashyap, both of whom will be making their festival debut. The evening will conclude with a sitar recital by Padma Bhushan Pandit Budhaditya Mukherjee, known for his dynamic and globally acclaimed performances.

The final day, March 23, will showcase a vocal performance by Pandit Vinayak Torvi, followed by a grand finale by Padma Vibhushan Ustad Amjad Ali Khan, the legendary sarod maestro. Expressing his long-standing association with the festival, Ustad Amjad Ali Khan shared that it has been a privilege to perform at this platform, which continues to uphold the traditions of Indian classical music.

Over the years, the festival has featured legendary artists such as Bhimsen Joshi, Ravi Shankar, Ustad Bismillah Khan, Jasraj, Begum Akhtar, and Shiv Kumar Sharma, among many others. With the support of Maruti Suzuki India Limited, the festival continues to play a crucial role in preserving and promoting Indian classical music, ensuring that the rich heritage is passed down to future generations.

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As India’s longest-running classical music festival, the Shriram Shankarlal Music Festival remains a highly anticipated event, offering audiences an opportunity to experience the depth and beauty of Indian classical music in an open-air setting.

When: March 21 to 23; 6 PM onwards

Where: Kendra’s Open-Air Theatre, New Delhi