Hyderabad, Telangana, 26th of July, 2026 : Chowrangee, the flagship cultural initiative of the Bengal & Beyond Foundation, delivered an unforgettable evening of music with ‘Monsoon Magic: Rising Stars from Kolkata to Kochi’ at the iconic Taramati Baradari, Hyderabad—captivating a discerning audience with a performance that was as immersive as it was soul-stirring.
Curated in collaboration with the Green Room Tapes Collective, the concert brought together a remarkable cohort of India’s exciting young musicians. The evening unfolded as a seamless dialogue between tradition and innovation, where the depth of Indian classical music met contemporary global influences, creating a soundscape that was both rooted and refreshingly modern.
Tracing a rich musical arc from Kolkata to Kochi, the repertoire traversed Hindustani classical, ghazal, folk, and contemporary genres with fluid elegance. Each performance reflected a deep respect for tradition while embracing inventive interpretations, resulting in a dynamic experience that resonated across generations of listeners.
Set against the timeless grandeur of Taramati Baradari, and elevated by the gentle rhythm of the monsoon, the concert offered a rare sense of intimacy and atmosphere. The interplay of heritage architecture, seasonal ambience, and live music transformed the evening into a multisensory cultural experience that lingered long after the final note.
The ensemble featured the acclaimed vocalist Srinath Nair, whose nuanced and commanding performance anchored the evening. He was joined by Rajdeep Mukherjee (vocals), Kaanjana Sriram (vocals), Sameel Sikkani (tabla), Anurag Rajeev Nayan (guitar), Sumit Jaiswal (bass guitar), Anantharaman Anil (keyboards), and Sanjai Arakkal (sound engineer). Together, they crafted a rich and layered musical narrative marked by technical finesse, creative synergy, and emotional depth.
The concert drew an engaged audience of connoisseurs, artists, and cultural patrons, many of whom responded with standing ovations and sustained applause. Attendees lauded the curation for its sophistication, diversity, and the effortless blending of classical integrity with contemporary expression.
Speaking on the occasion, Dr. Santanu Paul, President, Chowrangee; said: “Monsoon Magic celebrates the extraordinary diversity of Indian music and the creative energy of a new generation of artistes who are reinterpreting tradition with originality and integrity. At Chowrangee, we are committed to crafting cultural experiences that transcend geography and bring distinct artistic traditions into meaningful conversation. The response from Hyderabad’s audiences reaffirms the enduring power of music to connect people, ideas, and emotions.
Dr. Santanu Paul, President, Chowrangee; said, It was an absolutely spellbinding performance at today’s Chowrangee. We envisioned Chowrangee as a platform where four roads meet, a confluence of diverse thoughts, cultures and ideas. Today’s concert truly embodied that spirit. We experienced the beauty of multiple languages, Urdu, Bangla, English, Punjabi, Hindi and even Malayalam. The evening seamlessly traversed a rich spectrum of musical genres, from Hindustani and Carnatic classical to ghazals, contemporary music, with delightful shades of qawwali. What an extraordinary lineup of artistes. Their performances evoked the timeless brilliance of legends like Hariharan, Mehdi Hassan, Ghulam Ali, Asha Bhosle and Manna Dey.
Shri Ranjan Roychowdhury, Chairman, Bengal and Beyond Foundation; Said, Srinath Nair is an exceptional vocalist, but his mastery of the harmonium was simply out of this world. Sameel Sikkani, rightly regarded as one of the coolest tabla players, mesmerised the audience with his impeccable rhythm and finesse. Rajdeep Mukherjee’s rendition of Miyan Ki Malhar, often considered a “tiger” among ragas for its complexity and grandeur, was nothing short of magnificent. He tamed it with the confidence and artistry of a true maestro. Anurag Rajeev Nayan and Sumit Jaiswal worked magic with their guitars, while Anantharaman Anil’s soulful keyboard added another beautiful dimension to the evening. Behind it all, Sanjai Arakkal ensured an impeccable sound experience, allowing every note to reach the audience in its purest form. Over all an evening of musical excellence, artistic brilliance and unforgettable memories.
With ‘Monsoon Magic: Rising Stars from Kolkata to Kochi,’ Chowrangee continues to strengthen its vision of creating world-class cultural platforms that spotlight emerging talent while fostering a vibrant dialogue between heritage and innovation. The evening stood as a testament to India’s evolving musical landscape—deeply rooted, yet constantly in motion.
About Chowrangee:
Chowrangee is an initiative of the Bengal & Beyond Foundation. Inspired by Bengal yet expansive in its outlook, it explores new frontiers of cross-cultural dialogue. With a commitment to curating immersive, high-quality experiences across theatre, music, dance, and visual arts, Chowrangee brings together diverse artistic voices to create work that resonates across communities and cultures.
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