300th Monthly Baithak

Date: 10th October 2024

Time: 6:30PM

Venue: M.L. Koser Indoor Auditorium, Sector 35B, Chandigarh

The 300th Monthly Baithak of Pracheen Kala Kendra was a grand two-day celebration, marking the silver jubilee of this uninterrupted monthly concert series. Held on the 10th and 11th of October at M.L. Koser Indoor Auditorium, the event featured mesmerizing performances by some of the most talented artists, leaving the city’s music lovers enthralled.

Day 1: Santoor and Tabla Recital

The first evening was a breathtaking confluence of santoor and tabla, featuring young and promising santoor player Debsagar Malik alongside renowned tabla exponent Ustad Babar Latif.

He was ably accompanied by Dr Nitin Sharma on tabla, enhancing the depth of the recital.

Following this, Ustad Babar Latif, an exponent of the Delhi Gharana, took centre stage for an exhilarating tabla solo. His rhythmic brilliance was complemented by sarangi player Rajesh Kumar, who added an emotive touch to the recital.

The evening concluded with a felicitation ceremony, where Dr. Shobha Koser, Secretary Sh. Sajal Koser, and tabla guru Pt. Sushil Jain honoured the artists with uttariyas and mementoes.

Day 2: Vocal and Sitar Recital

The second and concluding day featured a mesmerizing vocal recital by Vani Rao from Bhopal and a spellbinding sitar performance by city-based artist Soumen Bhattacharjee, an Assistant Professor at Punjab University and a renowned performer. Tabla exponent Mehmood Khan and Pt Damodar Rao on Harmonium accompanied her, enriching the recital with expert support.

The final performance of the evening was an enchanting sitar recital by Soumen Bhattacharjee. Tabla maestro Sh Siddharth Chatterjee accompanied him, whose rhythmic prowess added another dimension to the recital.

The grand event concluded with the felicitation of the artists by Dr. Shobha Koser (SNA Awardee and Registrar), Secretary Sh. Sajal Koser, Tabla Guru Pt. Sushil Jain, and Dr Harvinder Sharma.

The 300th Monthly Baithak was a true celebration of Indian classical music, bringing together extraordinary talent and reaffirming Pracheen Kala Kendra’s commitment to preserving and promoting the rich cultural heritage of India.