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Sitar Stories: Weaving the Past and Present in Music
Heritage, Evolution and a Brush with Modernity
Performers
This session presents an enthralling journey through the rich history of the sitar, beginning with its origins and evolution across centuries. The performance explores the sitar’s creation from natural elements, merging Persian and Indian musical traditions to symbolize its sacred and timeless nature. As the sitar travels through royal courts, it becomes a symbol of refinement and cultural prestige, before eventually establishing itself as a central instrument in Indian classical music. This concert highlights the transformation, showcasing the sitar’s rise as a solo instrument and its deep connection to Indian music.
Honoring the contributions of legendary sitarists like Ustad Vilayat Khan and Pandit Ravi Shankar, this performance will illustrate their groundbreaking innovations that shaped the sitar’s modern identity and global influence. From classical Indian ragas to cross-cultural experiments, the sitar’s role in contemporary music will be explored, demonstrating its versatility and ongoing relevance in world music. Through a blend of storytelling and music, this performance celebrates the instrument’s enduring legacy and its profound impact on both classical and global music.
Supported by:
Performers
Anupama Bhagwat
Vid. Anupama’s musical journey is deeply intertwined with her spiritual connection to the sitar. Gifted to her by her uncle at nine, she believes the instrument chose her. For her, the sitar is not just a tool for music but a soulful companion, guiding her through emotional serenity.
Anupama’s musical journey began in Bhilai, surrounded by the melodies of her family’s instruments. Starting with violin and vocal training at five, she embarked on sitar lessons at nine with Shri R. N. Verma, later studying under Acharya Bimalendu Mukherjee.
She is a leading disciple of doyen of the Imdadkhani Gharana Pandit Bimalendu Mukherjee (disciple of Ustad Enayat Khan and father of Padma Bhushan Pandit Budhaditya Mukherjee). She has imbibed the vigour that is a hallmark of her Gharana. Her style is characterised by fast scintillating taan, mastery of the meditative alaap and brilliant fluency of melody while remaining true to tradition.
Anupama has performed to critical acclaim in India, USA /Canada, UK, Europe, Australia and New Zealand. She has collaborated with noted musicians from the Carnatic genre through jugalbandis on the Veena, Flute and Violin. On the world music front Anupama has performed at the Darbar Festival, Global Rhythms Festival, Lotus Festival, Cincinnati Choir and many more.
Anupama has been conferred the title Surmani, by Sur Sringar Sansad, Bombay (1995). She was empanelled with ICCR under the “Outstanding Artist” category.
Rahul Pophali
Rahul Pophali, a highly accomplished tabla artist, has collaborated with numerous esteemed musicians across a wide range of genres, including Indian classical, folk, rock, jazz, flamenco, and world music fusion. His Indian music collaborations feature noted sitarists such as Anupama Bhagwat, Ravindra Chari, Ustad Shafiq Khan, Prabir Bhattacharya, Sanjeev Korti, and K.G. Westman.
Rahul’s versatility extends beyond Indian classical music, as he has also worked with international artists like jazz guitarist Amit Heri, composer Ravi Iyer, Canadian pianist and vocalist Lisa Patterson, Australian flamenco guitarist Peter Dickson, American bassist Jay Srinivasan, Polish saxophonist and composer Grzech Piotrowski, and Norwegian vocalist Monica Heldal. He has even collaborated with the Indian folk rock band Swarathma, showcasing his adaptability to diverse musical styles.
