The third rhythmic night of the 46th Saptak Music Festival in Ahmedabad saw a programme that balanced reverence for tradition with confident new voices. Sitar maestro Shujaat Khan closed the evening with a luminous rendering of raga Tilak Kamod, while tabla player Hetal Mehta Joshi and other performers reinforced the legacy of Pandit Nandan Mehta.
Indian classical music at Saptak festival draws young and seasoned listeners
The festival’s faculty and performers included established names and rising talent. Hetal Mehta Joshi represented the Banaras gharana of tabla, delivering a range of compositions from vilambit and madhyalaya to drut tempos. Her performance, which included bandishes from the Banaras style and compositions by senior gurus such as Pandit Puran Maharaj and Pandit Madan Mohan, recalled the discipline and rhythmic clarity associated with her lineage.
Audience members noted the strong presence of the Saptak community, which has long been associated with Ahmedabad’s classical music scene. Hetal spoke of growing up in a musical household and training under Pandit Nandan Mehta, Pandit Puran Maharaj and Rajal Shah. She credited that tutelage for her rhythmic control and professional rigour, and for the confidence to uphold performance commitments even when unwell.
Since Pandit Nandan Mehta’s passing in August 2024, members of his family — including Hetal, her sister Purvi Mehta and her husband Sandip Joshi — along with the broader Saptak team, have taken on additional organisational responsibilities. The transition has been smooth, organisers said, with senior artists continuing to support the festival and younger performers stepping forward on stage.
Shujaat Khan’s set was the highlight for many. From an expressive alap to compelling jod and energetic jhala, his Tilak Kamod recital blended classical form with accessible melodic moments, drawing sustained applause. He interspersed his sitar pieces with lighter compositions and folk-influenced numbers, ending his slot on a celebratory note. Ahmedabad tabla players Sapan Anjaria and Sharik Mustafa accompanied him on the day.
The evening also featured vocal music from Maharashtra’s Gwalior gharana singer Manjusha Patil, who presented bandishes in raga Bageshri and showcased brisk tarana passages in ektaal. Accompanying artists included Yashwant Vaishnave on tabla and Vinay Mishra on harmonium.
Festival organisers highlighted another encouraging trend: increased youth attendance. Despite the distractions of social media and mobile devices, many young listeners are choosing to sit quietly and engage with performances. That deeper appreciation, along with a steady stream of new talent appearing on the Saptak stage, suggests a healthy future for Indian classical music in the city.
Saptak’s programme continues with morning and evening sessions scheduled on 4 January. Morning events include a dhrupad recital by Uday Bhavalkar with pakhawaj accompaniment, and sitar recitals by Kushal Das. The evening roster features pakhawaj soloist Gyaneshwar Andil, singer Parveen Sultana and flautist Ronu Majumdar among others.
Overall, the night balanced homage and renewal: respectful nods to a vanished generation of teachers together with confident performances by their successors. For audiences and practitioners alike, the festival reinforced Ahmedabad’s standing as an active centre for Indian classical music.
Key Takeaways:
- Shujaat Khan captivated a full house at the 46th Saptak festival with an evocative Tilak Kamod performance.
- Hetal Mehta Joshi’s tabla work recalled the legacy of Pandit Nandan Mehta and strengthened the festival’s family tradition.
- Organisers report growing youth attendance and renewed interest in Indian classical music despite digital distractions.
- Saptak continues with a packed programme showcasing vocal and instrumental talent from across India.
