Sangat Music Festival - संगत संगीत महोत्सव

The Mehli Mehta Foundation was set up with the objective of creating a general awareness, understanding and appreciation of western classical music amongst the people of Mumbai. With this purpose in mind, they took several steps that included organizing public performances by internationally acclaimed artistes and orchestras, arranging for Discover Music classes so that children could learn classical music along with any other instrument, inviting renowned music teachers from abroad to be a part of their visiting faculty, supporting music students from India for carrying on further studies abroad and also holding sessions wherein amateurs as well as professionals could discuss the various aspects of classical music. But one of their chief endeavours which deserve an altogether special mention was starting of the Sangat Music Festival. Ever since its initiation in the year 1995, the popularity of the Sangat Music Festival has been constantly on the rise.

The Sangat Music Festival in Mumbai has now received the recognition of an International Chamber Music Festival. The word "sangat" means coming together, the festival is indeed an occasion which marks the home coming of the entire Indian musical Diaspora. Musicians who are either of Indian origin or are in any way associated with the country come together in Mumbai for two weeks. Workshops are held, rehearsals, master classes take place, in fact to put it precisely we can say that there is a lot of close interaction between the participants, the students of music and the renowned musicians. It is open to the public and no prices are charged for entry to these workshop sessions. The festival is indeed an excellent platform for learners and teachers to communicate with each other.

But finally all this culminates in concerts. The concerts are the most eagerly awaited aspect of the festival. The venue is the Tata Theatre and shows are held every evening for two weeks. Just purchase the tickets and witness the eclectic performances put up by the vocalists and instrumentalists of Indian origin who have now settled abroad. They keep the audience enthralled. All these artistes possessing immense talents cover a wide repertoire of works by Brahms, Enescu, Schubert, Haydn, Mendelssohn, Beethoven, Mozart, Shostakovich, Britten and Elgar. Major compositions from the Baroque, classical, romantic, post-romantic, modern and contemporary period are covered. However there are many non Indian performers too at the festival and their Indian classical renditions are simply superb.

It a much looked forward to event in the calendar of the Fairs and Festivals in Mumbai. Do not miss it if you are in Mumbai, Maharashtra in December.

Time for Celebrating Festivals

The Sangat Music Festival is held each year in the month of December.

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