Dehradun, 8 Oct: At the Virasat Sadhana musical presentation today (Wednesday), talented students from various schools and educational institutions showcased their exceptional musical talents with great enthusiasm and dedication. The grand event was organized at Dr Bhimrao Ambedkar Stadium, ONGC. Students from prominent schools and institutes of Dehradun were given the golden opportunity to perform on the prestigious stage of the Virasat Festival. Skilled instrumentalists accompanied these talented young singers, enhancing the charm and beauty of their performances even more.
Siddharth Shakya from Latika Roy Foundation mesmerized the audience with the devotional song “Jago Mohan Pyare…” His performance added divine grace to the Virasat Sadhana gathering. He was accompanied by Gargi Bhattacharya and Rajesh Kalani, who enriched the musical ambiance with devotional rhythm. Other participants included Pramiti Dalakoti (vocals) from Vagishwari Sangeet Sadhana accompanied by Ajay Mishra, and Pawani Agarwal from St. Patrick’s Academy accompanied by Anesh Kant.
Other remarkable performers included Ayushman Shukla from St. Kabir Academy, Dehradun, accompanied by Paridhi Uniyal, Prakash, and Lokesh Madan; Ayush Gupta (vocals) from Saraswati Sangeet Mandir accompanied by Tarsh Sethi, Shriya, and Mohit Benzwal; and Saloni (vocals) from PYDS Learning Academy accompanied by Shishir Guniyal, Shivam Lohia, and Bhoomika Gupta. Continuing the series, Samriddhi Panyuli (vocals) from Doon International School was accompanied by Ajay Mishra; Nalinakash Bhattacharya (vocals) from Colonel Brown School by Anesh Kant; Nandini Singh (vocals) from The Universal Academy, Dehradun by Anesh Kant; and Jigme Wongchuk Lepcha (vocals) from Uttarakhand Institute of Technology accompanied by Yogesh Khetwal and Anesh Kant. Shivansh Verma (vocals) from Times World School was accompanied by Abhinav Pushp and Aryan Kant, while Vaishnavi Kala (vocals) from The Asian School, Dehradun was accompanied by Arunav Tiwari, Angel Ghosh, Marjas Singh Bawa, and Saanvi Tomar.
Each of their devotional and culturally rich performances beautifully reflected discipline, dedication, and musical devotion. The confidence and natural artistry of the children won the hearts of everyone present. Later, all participants were honored with certificates by the main coordinators of Virasat Sadhana, Ms. Kalpana Sharma and Ms. Radha Chatterjee.
The Chief Guest of the cultural event, Sameer Sinha, HOFF Uttarakhand, graced the occasion and felicitated the artists for their remarkable performances.
Young Guitarist Deepak Kshirsagar Rules the Hearts of Listeners
Renowned for developing a unique “Gayaki Ang” technique on the Indian Slide Guitar
On the magnificent stage of Virasat, where many legendary artists have performed, the evening was made unforgettable by the spellbinding performance of the young guitar virtuoso, Pandit Deepak Kshirsagar. His soulful renditions of various ragas and melodies mesmerized the audience. He concluded his recital with a beautiful composition in Raga Nand, accompanied on tabla by Pandit Mithilesh Jha.
Pandit Deepak Kshirsagar is a world-acclaimed classical guitarist — an A-Top graded artist of All India Radio in classical guitar and an A-graded vocalist. He is celebrated for developing his own distinctive “Gayaki Ang” (vocal style) on the Indian Slide Guitar. Belonging to the Gwalior Gharana tradition of Pandit BN Kshirsagar, he later received training from Pandit Satish Khanwalkar.
The Indian Slide Guitar is a modified and redefined version of the Hawaiian guitar, first introduced by Pandit Gopal Singh Hazara and later popularized by Pandit Brijbhushan Kabra of Jodhpur. It is played with a steel bar in Hindustani classical style, featuring sympathetic strings beneath the main strings for resonance. Crafted from pure sheesham and spruce wood, the Indian Slide Guitar is now immensely popular among both classical and light-music audiences.
Belarusian artists win hearts with their performances
The evening at Virasat turned into a memorable celebration of art and cultural harmony.
Belarus, an Eastern European country with its capital at Minsk, is known for its rich cultural heritage and architectural beauty. The Belarusian artists presented soulful performances based on values of morality, humanity, and respect — hallmarks of their cultural identity passed down through generations.
The team of artists included Vitaly Klimakov (vocals), Lyudmila Trasenka (cymbals), Elina Piatkovich (violin), Rima Mikalich (flute), Chubin Siarhei (bass guitar), Rahoza Liubo (vocalist), Aliaksandr Yatskovich (tambourine), Viktor Klimikhin (triangle), Arlu Aleh (drums), and Irina Kustyuk (violin).
They represented the esteemed folk music group “Spadchyna” — an honorary amateur ensemble of the Republic of Belarus. Their repertoire included traditional Belarusian folk songs, dances, and compositions by Belarusian composers, leaving the audience deeply impressed.
Pandit Sajan Mishra — Revered Maestro of the Khayal Tradition
Renowned Hindustani classical vocalist Pandit Sajan Mishra enthralled listeners with his rendition of Raga Malkauns, beginning with the Vilambit Khayal bandish “Peer Na Jaane Balma…”. His performance, accompanied by his son Swaransh Mishra, filled the evening with spiritual fervor.
They were joined by Shubh Maharaj on tabla and Pandit Dharmnath Mishra on harmonium, whose perfect coordination created a divine musical atmosphere.
The audience swayed with joy and devotion as Pandit Sajan Mishra and Swaransh Mishra’s soulful singing illuminated the stage of Virasat. Soon, the venue overflowed with admirers and music lovers enchanted by their performance.
Pandit Sajan Mishra, one of India’s most celebrated exponents of the Khayal form of Hindustani music, belongs to the Banaras Gharana, a 300-year-old classical music tradition. The Mishra Brothers — Rajan and Sajan Mishra — have performed across India and around the world, including Germany, France, the UK, USA, Switzerland, Australia, Muscat, the Netherlands, the USSR, Qatar, and Singapore. They have also released around 20 albums featuring Khayal, Tappa, and devotional music.
After the passing of his brother and singing partner Pandit Rajan Mishra, Pandit Sajan Mishra began performing with his son Swaransh Mishra, who represents the sixth generation of the Banaras Gharana. Swaransh, grandson of the legendary Kathak maestro Pandit Birju Maharaj, is a versatile artist — a singer, composer, lyricist, and eloquent speaker.
