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Ganga Maiya
An Esperanto Music Project
Performers
A river, a city, and a song that never ends.
In 2016, a chance visit to the Dhrupad Mela in Benares changed everything for the Esperanto project. Enchanted by the stillness of the Ganga and the ancient spirit of the ghats, they returned year after year, with each visit deepening their bond with the river’s timeless rhythm.
From this connection was born Boat on the River, an album that imagines human life as a tender, drifting vessel: ever moving, ever feeling. The music is meditative, textured, and filled with reverence for Ganga Maiya’s quiet strength.
In a serendipitous meeting of mediums, their work resonated with Kolkata-based artist Asit Poddar, whose vivid paintings, also inspired by Benares, now breathe life into the project’s music videos. Together, sound and image offer a glimpse into the sacred, dreamlike presence of the river.
This performance is part of the group’s ongoing Kala Yatri journey: an evolving celebration of music and art shaped by the ghats, and carried gently, like the river, from city to city.
Supported by:
Performers
Geetha Navale
Geetha Navale has had the privilege of learning the ancient art of playing the veena under several renowned Gurus. She started her learning with Sri J. Anjaneyulu from the traditional Vijaynagaram school and continued under the legendary Sri R.K.Suryanarayan in Bangalore, where she moved to after her marriage to singer songwriter Gopal Navale. She now continues her musical journey under Vid. Sri. D. Balakrishna, the doyen of the Mysore Bani. She is open to recognising the beauty and power of other forms of music and along with her husband Gopal Navale, has established Esperanto, a project based at their music centre, Guruskool in Bangalore.
Gopal Navale
Gopal Navale is a compulsive musician with the uncanny ability to share his delight in music with the audience. His songs are very contextual, reacting profoundly to life around him. Being able to resonate with all forms of music he understands the underlying unity beyond culture specific styles and genres.
Sanketh
Guitar Sanketh, a blues artist, music composer and an independent artist from Bangalore, has been performing music full time for the past 10 years and is now teaching at various institutions. He has completed his graduation in Biotechnology. He has performed across India and Abu Dhabi for the India Social & Cultural Center. He composed and performed music for a documentary on Sant Shishunala Sharif. He now performs and records with his band Bluesghat and their recent viral song Maleraya is catching a lot of attention.
Thavil Rajkumar
State awardee ‘Dhol Chakravarthy’ Thavil Rajkumar is acclaimed across Karnataka as the state’s pride. He is known for his powerful playing and the strong groove that he lends to any performance.
B Unnikrishnan
Hailing from a musical family in Kerala he learnt piano and western classical before finding his instrument of expression in the harmonium. Thus, one of the few harmonium players who understand harmony. He met the band in Kashi on Shivrathri.
Soofi
A multi-percussionist from Kerala. With an open heart and curious mind he believes that it possible to discover the rhythmic magic ingrained in everyday life. Pushing his own boundaries, one sound at a time.
