With the arrival of a new year,classical music begins to spread its magic in Ahmedabd in the form of annual Saptak music festival,which mesmerises music lovers for almost two weeks from January 1. The 13-day event,being organised since 1980 by the Saptak School of Music,has now become a regular part of life in general in the city. This is evident by the phone calls one receives from nearly strangers seeking Saptak passes saying they are interested in Indian classical music or by a group of college students discussing in a canteen or at the ubiquitous chai stalls which artist is to perform when and how to arrange for entry passes. Even as lovers of classical music are reported to be dwindling in numbers,it is surprising to find so many individuals,otherwise least connected with classical music,desperately trying to get entry passes or crowds outside the packed to the capacity concert hall. From a significant number of such other evidences,one can see how deeply the Saptak festival has penetrated the consciousness of the different strata of people living in Ahmedabad. And,its popularity is not confined to the city but has spread far and wide. For,every year one sees a significant number of new and regular music lovers from other parts of the country and the world visiting the city specifically to attend the festival. The 31st edition of the festival will be dedicated to tabla maestro Pandit Nandan Mehta,who passed away last year after a fight against cancer. He had founded Saptak School of Music over three decades ago on the strength and capital of his and his wife,sitar maestro Manjushri Mehta. He had a passion and a vision to make classical music reach the masses without diluting in any way its essential characteristics. He was not the one who would allow classical music to be marketed as fusion music to increase its sales figures. The mad rush to Saptak concerts that is being witnessed for many years now is a testimony to the rightfulness of his vision and a tribute to his passion. Indeed,Pandit Mehtas contribution to the spread and popularity of classical music throughout the world would be cherished and acknowledged by the music lovers for generation to come. As a part of the dedication of the festival to Pandit Mehta,an exhibition Pt Mehta and Saptak-A Co-Journey will be on display on all 13 days of the festival. Also,a film on Pt Mehtas life will be screened while Pandit Jasaraj would release a book on him written by well-known vocalist and Pt Mehtas childhood friend,Pandit Atul Desai. Like previous years,the festival presents a mixture of well-known,established artists such as Pt Jasraj,Ustad Zakir Hussian,Pt Shivkumar Sharma,Ustad Rashid Khan,Pt Ajoy Chakravarty,Pt Vishwamohan Bhatt,Ustad Shahid Parvez,Pt Ulhas Kashalkar,Ustad Shujat Khan Pt Kumar Bose and a few others besides budding and lesser known but talented vocalists and instrumentalist.
