Lucknow: Classical vocalist Ashwini Modak from Pune emerged as the main attraction at the Gharana Music Festival organised by the Uttar Pradesh Sangeet Natak Akademi (UPSNA) on Saturday. The festival, held at Sant Gadge Ji Maharaj Auditorium on the Akademi premises in Vipin Khand, Gomti Nagar, paid tribute to the state’s legendary musicians and celebrated its rich gharana traditions.
The programme was organised under the guidance of Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath’s policy of promoting and preserving the arts, with the inspiration and support of Culture and Tourism Minister Jaiveer Singh. Akademi Chairman Prof. Jayant Khot, Vice-Chairperson Vibha Singh and Director Raj Kumar were responsible for the conceptualisation and coordination of the event.
The programme began with the ceremonial lighting of the lamp by Prof. Khot, Vibha Singh and Raj Kumar. Senior and active members of the Akademi, including musician Madan Mohan Lal, Dr. Poonam Srivastava and Upma Pandey, were felicitated with bouquets, mementoes and angavastrams.
Addressing the gathering, Vice-Chairperson Vibha Singh said that the Akademi had been working continuously for the preservation and promotion of art for the past 63 years. She observed that music was much more than an arrangement of notes, describing it as a powerful medium of self-expression.
Ashwini Modak’s classical recital wins applause
The highlight of the evening was the classical vocal recital by Pune-based Ashwini Modak, a recognised name in Khayal, Thumri, Dadra and devotional music.
A vocalist of the Kirana Gharana, Modak received formal training under Pandit Bimalendu Mukherjee of the Imdadkhani Gharana, her mother and noted music scholar Latika Vyaghraambare, and Padma Vibhushan awardee Dr. Prabha Atre.
Having performed at several prestigious platforms, Modak is also associated with the Gurukul of the Dr. Prabha Atre Foundation as a faculty member.
At Saturday’s festival, she presented the Bada Khayal ‘Tumhare Gun Gaun’ in Raag Gavti in Vilambit Ektaal, followed by the Chhota Khayal ‘More Mandir Aaye’ in Drut Taal. Her nuanced presentation and command over classical music held the audience’s attention.
Dinkar Dwivedi accompanied her on the harmonium, while Saurabh provided tabla support.
Tabla ensemble celebrates Uttar Pradesh’s gharana traditions
The second segment featured a group tabla performance by artists representing the tabla gharanas of Uttar Pradesh. The ensemble included Arun Bhatt, Dr. Manoj Kumar Mishra and Ilyas Hussain Khan from Lucknow, along with Athar Hussain Khan from New Delhi.
The musicians delivered energetic performances that highlighted the depth and technical richness of tabla traditions. Audiences enjoyed a series of compositions and rhythmic presentations, including Peshkar, Kayda, Tukde, Chakradar and compositions presented on request.
Young Kathak dancer presents traditional Lucknow style
The third segment featured Vidhi Joshi of Lucknow, who secured first position in the adolescent category of the Uttar Pradesh Sangeet Natak Akademi’s Regional Music Competition 2025.
She presented traditional Lucknow Gharana Kathak with precision and expressive grace. Beginning with ‘Jai Bhagwati Devi’, she went on to perform various traditional elements, including Thaat, Aamad, 51 Chakkars and Paran.
Her performance concluded with an expressive presentation of the Thumri ‘Dekho Chhed Chhed’, earning appreciation from the audience.
Vidhi’s guru, Dr. Surabhi Shukla, provided the recitation (Padhant). Dr. Rajiv Shukla accompanied her on the tabla, Prakhar Pandey handled the vocals and harmonium, while Zeeshan played the sitar.
Exhibitions showcase musical and artistic heritage
The festival also featured several exhibitions highlighting the cultural and artistic traditions of Uttar Pradesh.
The Uttar Pradesh Sangeet Natak Akademi organised displays on endangered musical instruments and the state’s various musical gharanas. The Uttar Pradesh State Lalit Kala Akademi presented a painting and rangoli exhibition, while the Uttar Pradesh State Museum and the Directorate of Archaeology displayed collections related to the state’s heritage.
The programme was conducted by Shweta Tiwari. The festival brought together established musicians and young performers, offering audiences an opportunity to experience classical vocal music, tabla traditions and the distinctive style of Lucknow Kathak under one roof.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?si=RtToJsBhYBatUrym&v=mOuYNSdhjHA&feature=youtu.be
