On a rain-soaked August evening, the Malhar Festival
of ITC Sangeet Research Academy for 2026 was held at the Satyajit Ray
Auditorium, ICCR. With a potpourri of vocal and instrumental performances, the
Malhar Festival stood out as unique this year.
The programme began with Sangborti Das’s vocal performance,
in which she delivered vilambit and drut compositions in Raga Miyan Ki Malhar.
She ended with a kajri. Smt Rupashree Bhattacharya accompanied her on the
Harmonium and Shri Ashis Paul on the Tabla.
The next performer was Shri Abir Hossain, a Guru of
the Academy. Abir enchanted the audience with his performances in Raga Gaud Malhar
and Desh. He was accompanied by Shri Debjit Patitundi on the Tabla.
The programme ended with Pandit Vinayak Torvi’s
performance. It was a delight for the audience to listen to his performances in
Ragas Surdasi Malhar, Basant and Bhairavi. Shri Kamalaksha Mukherjee
accompanied him on the Harmonium and Shri Soumen Sarkar on the Tabla.
