Barkha Ritu, Banyan Tree’s 23rd edition of its Annual Monsoon Music Festival, is set to bring a melodious downpour with performances by the Trichur Brothers — Srikrishna Mohan and Ramkumar Mohan, representing Carnatic music, and the Hindustani classical vocalist Sanjeev Abhyankar. These esteemed artists will present classical ragas dedicated to the monsoon season, culminating in a captivating jugalbandi performance.
“Indian classical music has a profound connection with nature, both internal and external,” says Srikrishna Mohan. “There are ragas that are believed to invoke rains. The great composer Muthuswami Dikshitar is said to have invoked rains through his raga ‘Ananda Amrutavarshini’. Moreover, music is known to control emotions with specific ragas that can aid in sleep, relaxation, and more.”
Speaking from his home in Chennai, Srikrishna shares that he prefers to keep the details of his performance a surprise for the Bengaluru audience to maintain the element of wonder and anticipation. Dedicating himself to music from a young age, he firmly believes that presenting classical music in its purest form is one of the best ways to connect with listeners of all ages.
“We engage with youngsters through various social media platforms ahead of our concerts. Their enthusiastic response and attendance at our events strongly indicate that the youth are indeed listening to and appreciating classical music.”
To add an interactive dimension to their concerts, Srikrishna and his brother have been incorporating sing-along sessions in their performances over the past three years. “We hum a few phrases of a raga and ask the audience to follow. To our delight, the audience sings quite well,” Srikrishna explains.
Bengaluru holds a special place in the hearts of the Trichur Brothers, with the city having their largest fan base and social media following. “Bluntly put, our love affair with Bengaluru is a well-known topic in the Carnatic music world. Bengaluru is unique in that it attracts a fantastic mixed audience, whether it’s a Carnatic, Hindustani, jazz, or rock and roll concert. People here come to enjoy the music.”
Srikrishna believes that Bengaluru is on its way to becoming a significant center for classical music. “Bangaloreans are highly educated and have an appreciation for the fine arts.
. Even a four-hour concert, which is a rarity today, is well-received here.”
Despite having known each other for years, this will be the first time the Trichur Brothers are collaborating with Sanjeev Abhyankar. “Thanks to the way the Indian classical system works, three to four artists can come together on stage with just a few hours of preparation and perform seamlessly. Ninety percent of what happens on stage after the initial moments is all improvisation.”
Singing alongside his brother Ramkumar has been a rewarding experience for Srikrishna. “There is no distinction between the personal and professional realms here. What you see on stage is merely an extension of how we behave at home. Although we have different personalities, when we come together as singers, music becomes the driving force. We can communicate without even looking at each other.”
Srikrishna, who left a promising career as a chartered accountant to pursue music full-time, credits his father, the renowned mridangam vidwan Trichur R Mohan, for encouraging him to follow his passion professionally.
Sanjeev Abhyankar, thrilled to perform in Bengaluru, has high praise for the city’s receptive audience. “I have been coming to Bengaluru since 1982, when I had my first concert as a child prodigy,” he reminisces. Sanjeev promises a rich variety in his performance, encompassing monsoon melodies, a jugalbandi, and a bhajan.
The esteemed singers will be accompanied by Trichur R Mohan on the mridangam, Ajinkya Joshi on the tabla, and Abhishek Shinkar on the harmonium. This year’s Barkha Ritu promises to be a musical treat for the connoisseurs and casual listeners alike.
Barkha Ritu is scheduled to take place on July 20 at the Chowdiah Memorial Hall at 6:30 PM. Tickets are available on BookMyShow. Do not miss this unique opportunity to experience the enchanting confluence of Carnatic and Hindustani music dedicated to the monsoon season.
