Amidst the serenity of the Jim Corbett National Park, renowned Hindustani vocalist Kaushiki Chakraborty was beside herself with excitement over tiger sightings, while legendary singer Hariharan found joy in the sight of elephants roaming freely. Flautist Rakesh Chaurasia, having given a moving morning concert, hurriedly set off on a safari, jesting, “I wanted to perform before I went into the forest. What if a tiger hunts me down?” His laughter was as light as the soul-stirring raag Pahadi he played.
Continually striving to create singular musical experiences, festival curators are scouting locations that ignite a sense of adventure in attendees. Historical palaces, ancient forts, and verdant backdrops are being transformed into stages that enable spectators to explore the uninhibited nature of the arts. Such unusual environments also inspire artists to transcend the confines of conventional creativity.
‘Ragas by the River’—recently held in Uttarakhand—joined a venerable tradition that intertwines music with the wilderness. The rich anecdotes of Tansen, who could ignite fires with raag Deepak and summon rains with Miyan ki Malhar, a still-celebrated monsoon melody, resonated with the participants.
Set on the banks of the River Kosi and at the cusp of the country’s premier national park established in 1936, this festival saw raags Yaman, Gurjari Todi, Jhinjoti, and Shudh Kalyan adopt a profound emotional depth under the vast sky, amidst giant trees, rugged terrain, and rippling river water.
Kaushiki Chakraborty, having reveled in safaris with family, marveled at the curators’ vision of such cultural soirees serving a greater purpose. “I am an outdoorsy person and this festival has seamlessly blended my love for adventure and work. Performing after immersing myself in the wild infused me with vitality,” she shared. She also cherished the deeper artist-audience connection fostered by the event’s casual atmosphere. “Yet the pinnacle of this experience was the privilege to witness other performers live. Imagine having Ustad Amjad Ali Khan in the audience at my concert,” she reflected.
In an enchanting collaborative moment, Kaushiki was beckoned by Ustad Amjad Ali Khan to vocalize ‘Aaj jaane ki zid na karo’ while he masterfully played the sarod – a poignant segment of his evening performance. Through these exchanges, the Ustad emphasized the growing importance of cultural tourism and the collective upliftment it provides to artistic and heritage realms. Amidst the enraptured crowd, he articulated, “Appreciation of music transcends the esoteric understanding of every note.”
The veteran’s sarod serenaded the audience with melodies that began softly, soared with nuanced improvisation, and settled into tranquility, showcasing his mastery over the instrument. Ayaan and Amaan Ali Bangash, earlier in the event, had reiterated the union of innovation and tradition through their strings.
Sujata Mishra, an IT executive from Delhi and a classical music novice, found ‘Ragas by the River’ an inviting initiation. The emerging trend in such new-age festivals shrugs off the elitist veneer commonly associated with classical music, cultivating inclusion and diversity among both artists and audiences.
Curators, aware of the transformative power of these events, are engaging various tactics to diversify their patronage. Grammy winner Rakesh Chaurasia expressed an eagerness for such platforms, “These venues invite audiences on a voyage with the musician, free from the constraints of a static repertoire, and allow us to tailor our presentation for both aficionados and novices.”
Vir Srivastava, the festival director and a trustee of Ustad Amjad Ali Khan’s Sarod Ghar, propelled the event under the maestro’s influence. Srivastava, whose family has ties to the Rampur-Sahaswan musical lineage, shared, “During visiting Corbett with his grandsons, Ustad would remark that music here would resonate divinely. This inspired us to create an event against the breathtaking Himalayan backdrop, simultaneously aiming to preserve the natural beauty of the area. Our future plans include collaborating with environmental groups, making nature not just a backdrop but a partner to the festival.”
