For lovers of Indian classical music, the Nāda Sambhrama festival organised by the Nadathur Foundation blends innovation with tradition. Its sixth edition will showcase noted musician and Padma Bhushan recipient Sudha Raghunathan.
Raghunathan said the music she will present will remain largely the same as during Chennai’s music season. “The core repertoire stays consistent, yet the two-hour journey may shift depending on the venue,” she noted.
She described her approach, explaining that pacing draws on Swara Prashtara—spontaneous note sequences aligned with rhythmic structure. “Certain sections allow mathematical exploration and Swara Prashtara to heighten interest,” she added, while keeping improvisations aesthetically balanced.
Raghunathan emphasised that grasping lyrical meaning, whether in Tamil, Telugu or Kannada, infuses the performance with spiritual and emotional depth. “Music cannot survive without emotion,” she said. She trained under M.L. Vasanthakumari for more than thirteen years.
She will be accompanied by Tumkur B. Ravishankar on mridangam, Giridhar Udupa on ghatam and Embar S. Kannan on violin. “Expect close interplay among the percussionists and violinist,” she remarked.
Curator Raksha Sriram described Raghunathan as an artist of exceptional skill and elegance whose work reflects the festival’s values of excellence, devotion and service.
The concert takes place on 11 July from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. at Mangala Mantapa Auditorium, Bengaluru. Entry is free.
