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India Music Retreat shows what it means to bring art out of auditoriums
India Music Retreat shows what it means to bring art out of auditoriums
Surrounded by the rugged, rolling hills of the Aravalli range, Fairmont Jaipur resembles a palace — its domes and archways reflect the regal splendour of Rajasthan. Within its stately interiors, music flows like that rare gentle desert breeze. Pianist Brian Silas, a fond favourite of the seventies generation, plays a medley of timeless Hindi film songs, prompting the audience to sing along with heartfelt enthusiasm. As the Sunday noon session of the India Music Retreat concludes, joy and melody, chatter and laughter echo through the sunlit foyer. A lingering warmth of nostalgia envelopes all.
As most attendees drift off for lunch, one guest stays back — Manju Sharma from Mumbai. She stands before a cake with a sword instead of a knife and cuts it with a flourish to celebrate her 60th birthday. The hotel staff, festival volunteers and a few visitors join in to sing the birthday song. Her gift to herself is three days at the retreat. “I wanted to be in a place where I could rediscover myself — away from the familiar setup, among new people,” she smiles.
Renowned pianist Brian Silas at India Music Retreat | Photo Credit: Courtesy: MuseMusic
A young couple has chosen the festival as an escape from their hectic work schedule, opting for it over a typical getaway. Meanwhile, a group of women from Dubai has turned the retreat into its reunion.
Music festivals in India are increasingly becoming more than just artistic showcases — they're evolving into spaces for celebration, connection, and personal transformation.
Vainika Jayanthi Kumaresh performing in the open-air space at Fairmont Jaipur. | Photo Credit: Courtesy: MuseMusic
India Music Retreat shows what it means to bring art out of auditoriums. ✍️ @Chitraswaminat3
Surrounded by the hills of the Aravalli range, Fairmont Jaipur resembles a palace — its domes and archways reflect the regal splendour of Rajasthan. https://t.co/8tuiziXfZvpic.twitter.com/l4RAmd6e0h
“The purpose of this retreat and other music events I curate is to foster discovery. I'm looking for spaces that encourage the convergence of diverse voices and genres. It cannot happen within a conventional auditorium. It's all about the mahaul (ambience). That's what inspires me to create,” says Mala Sekhri, founder of MuseMusic.
Mala began her journey in the field of art and culture at Music Today, a division of India Today, and later started organising intimate baithaks in memory of her father. “One thing led to another, and I slowly felt, why not expand the reach of music by curating festivals that would bring together artistes and audiences in immersive, soulful settings beyond routine venues?”
Aruna Sairam showcased her experimental approach to classical music | Photo Credit: Courtesy: MuseMusic
The three-day India Music Retreat featured Hindustani and Carnatic music, semi-classical, folk, Sufi, jazz, and film songs. It's this eclectic mix that draws the uninitiated in large numbers, as the festival's milieu feels welcoming and the presentation fuss-free. Yet, each genre retained its authenticity, allowing audiences to engage at their own pace and comfort. For instance, the early morning concerts — by vainika Jayanthi Kumaresh and dhrupad exponent Wasifuddin Dagar — gently opened up the world of ragas to listeners, many of whom were experiencing classical music in its purest form for the first time. Bathed in the warm glow of the rising sun and alive with birds gliding overhead, the serene open-air space allowed the music to breathe and the audience to absorb it without pressure or pretence. They discovered the emotional depth and meditative power of the art form. By the end of the retreat, several attendees had become quiet converts, expressing a newfound appreciation for a genre they had once thought distant or difficult.
The three-day India #Music Retreat featured Hindustani and Carnatic music, semi-classical, folk, Sufi, jazz, and film songs. Watch Ustad Wasifuddin Dagar @wasifuddindagar during his early morning immersive #dhrupad session: pic.twitter.com/2zclWHyNmF
Adding another dimension to the experience, the evening concerts demonstrated classical music's openness to new ideas as was seen at renowned Carnatic vocalist Aruna Sairam's performance. She offered glimpses of her collaborative work with Gregorian chant expert Dominique Vellard, singing in both Sanskrit and French. Towards the end of her performance, she shared the stage with American saxophonist George Brooks, lending a novel texture to the classical framework. Carnatic vocalist Sandeep Narayan kept up this experimental spirit — his ensemble included a Manganiyar percussionist, who blended seamlessly with the classical accompanists, adding a rich folk element to the performance.
An early morning immersive dhrupad session with Ustad Wasifuddin Dagar | Photo Credit: Courtesy: MuseMusic
The exploration continued across other genres as well. Writer and film music historian Manek Premchand spoke about how the thoughtful use of the right raga could elevate a song's emotional impact. The Anirudh Varma Collective lent a contemporary flavour to traditional compositions through rich orchestral arrangements, while Jasbir Jassi from Punjab highlighted the presence of ragas in shabads (Sikh prayer) before shifting gears to showcase the vibrant energy of Punjabi folk. Extending this spirit of musical inclusivity, a concert by accompanying artistes underlined the vital role they play in shaping performances. It was preceded by a panel discussion that advocated equal recognition for them alongside main performers
Jassi Jasbir's music had both calming and boisterous moments | Photo Credit: Courtesy: MuseMusic
“I see the festival attendees as the new patrons of the arts, taking the place of the Maharajas of yore. Their wholehearted participation and support contributes to the festival economy. Some of them have become permanent fixtures at my events — whether it's a musical cruise on the Hooghly, Patiala Gharana special at Ran Baas, an 18th-Century heritage property-turned-hotel, or the Ramcharitmanaspaat at saint-poet Tulsidas's house in Varanasi. It feels like one big family, travelling together on a journey of sound. And, along the way, we keep adding more members,” says Mala.
Published - October 29, 2025 08:00 pm IST
Friday Review
Source: TheHindu
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