Kolkata recently witnessed the vibrant celebration of the ‘Youth Instrumental Music Festival’, held as part of the ninth Mangalacharana Music Conference at the iconic Shishir stage. The event was dedicated to promoting the rich legacy of Indian classical music while celebrating the creativity and skill of emerging young artists under the age of 30.
The festival aimed to inspire the younger generation to engage with classical music and encouraged innovative performances through duet collaborations. Audiences were treated to enchanting renditions that combined traditional instruments such as the sitar, sarod, tabla, bansuri, santoor, and slide guitar, creating a mesmerizing auditory experience.
Several performances stood out for their technical brilliance and emotional depth:
Snehesh Nag and Swarnendu Mandal delivered an exquisite duet on sitar and sarod, presenting the raga Jayjayanti with exceptional finesse.
Soham Maity and Siddhajit Mandal mesmerised listeners with their rendition of raga Kirwani on esraj and slide guitar.
Ark Ray and Sounak Ray performed a sarod duet exploring ragas Madhubanti and Shri, earning appreciation for their expressive interplay.
Banani Das and Sharanya Sarkar charmed the audience with a bansuri and santoor performance of raga Iman, leaving a lasting impression.
In every duet, the presence of tabla accompaniment was indispensable, with each percussionist providing seamless support that elevated the melodic interplay.
A summary of the key performers, their instruments, ragas, and tabla accompanists is presented below:
| Duet Performers | Instruments | Raga Performed | Tabla Accompanist |
|---|---|---|---|
| Snehesh Nag & Swarnendu Mandal | Sitar & Sarod | Jayjayanti | Anjishnu Mukherjee |
| Soham Maity & Siddhajit Mandal | Esraj & Slide Guitar | Kirwani | Rohen Basu |
| Ark Ray & Sounak Ray | Sarod | Madhubanti & Shri | Sudip Chakraborty |
| Banani Das & Sharanya Sarkar | Bansuri & Santoor | Iman | Sohan Ghosh |
The festival clearly demonstrated that Indian classical music can be invigorated and reimagined through the talents of the younger generation. Artists not only showcased their creative abilities but also established a profound musical and emotional connection with the audience.
For Kolkata’s connoisseurs, the event was an unforgettable experience, reinforcing the timeless appeal of classical music while highlighting the innovative potential of emerging musicians. The festival underscored that the fusion of youthful talent with traditional forms can pave the way for a new horizon of musical creativity.