HYDERABAD: As the monsoon rains bring a refreshing change, the Annual Monsoon Music Festival ‘Barkha Ritu,’ organised by Banyan Tree, adds a special touch to the season. The event was held at the picturesque Kelika Auditorium, Taramati Baradari, an aesthetic place to celebrate music. The 23rd edition of the festival featured eminent musical maestros like Pt Rakesh Chaurasia and Vid Devaki Pandit, who filled the venue with the enchanting aura of monsoon ragas.
For those familiar with Banyan Tree, the concept of a monsoon music festival is not new. Regular attendees at Taramati Baradari know that ‘Barkha Ritu’ is an annual event curated specifically during the monsoon season, featuring ragas that celebrate the rains, not otherwise performed for the rest of the year. The beauty of these ragas lies in the fact that they are specially composed to mirror and evoke the emotions and sentiments associated with the rains — both in the performer and the listener.
Talking about her performance at the event, Vid Devaki Pandit, said, “Barkha Ritu is a show that I have been a part of for many years. I have performed it in different cities during the monsoon, and the rain ragas are a specialty that people love to hear exclusively during this season. Banyan Tree organises many events, but Barkha Ritu holds a special place.
It is quintessential for classical music lovers. Instead of singing a variety of pieces, we focus on rain ragas like Malhar. Today, I performed Gaud Malhar, a t.