Posted on 1 September 2025:
Honoring a Musical Legacy: 34th Baba Allauddin Sangeet Samaroh 2025 at Rabindra Sadan
In homage to the towering legacy of Ustad Baba Allauddin Khan—visionary founder of the Maihar gharana and mentor to legends like Pandit Ravi Shankar—the 34th Baba Allauddin Sangeet Samaroh returns to Kolkata’s Rabindra Sadan Auditorium on 6–7 September 2025. Honored with the Sangeet Natak Akademi Fellowship in 1954, the Padma Bhushan in 1958, and the Padma Vibhushan in 1971, his contributions to Indian classical music remain unparalleled.
This two-day celebration, curated by the Baba Allauddin Memorial Committee and the Annapurna Devi Foundation, and supported by the Information & Cultural Affairs Department of West Bengal, marks his 53rd death anniversary with profound reverence and musical resonance.
Featuring evocative performances by leading exponents of Indian classical music, the festival promises an immersive experience steeped in tradition, artistry and spiritual depth. With the soulful strains of the sarod echoing through the venue, the Samaroh invites connoisseurs and newcomers alike to witness the enduring brilliance of a musical lineage that shaped generations.
A Reverent Prelude to the Sangeet Samaroh — Celebrating Legacy and Harmony
On the serene evening of 6th September 2025, the Rabindra Sadan Backyard will come alive with the Garland Ceremony, a soulful curtain-raiser to the 34th Baba Allauddin Sangeet Samaroh.
This ceremonial gathering, graced by Hon’ble Acharya Kinkar Vitthal Ramanuja Maharaj Ji, Hon’ble President Sri Debasish Kumar (MLA/MIC-W.B), and Hon’ble Secretary Sri Anupam Sarkar, sets the tone for a weekend steeped in musical homage and cultural pride.
The event features a constellation of acclaimed artists—Pandit Samar Saha on tabla, Pandit Koushik Bhattacharjee’s evocative vocals, Sri Partha Pratim Roy on sitar and Sri Pankaj De Sarkar on sarode—accompanied by virtuosos on harmonium and tabla, including Pandit Ajay Joglekar, Pandit Hiranmay Mitra, Shri Asif Khan, Shri Debabrata Gupta, Shri Debjyoti Bose and Shri Jyotirmoy Chakraborty.
With Madhumita Chattopadhyay anchoring the evening, the ceremony promises an atmosphere of grace, gratitude and artistic resonance, honouring the timeless spirit of Indian classical music.
A Symphony of Souls — Shastriya Vadya Vrinda Maihar Takes the Stage
On Sunday, 7th September 2025 at 12:45 PM, the Rabindra Sadan Backyard will resonate with the sublime sounds of Shastriya Vadya Vrinda Maihar, an orchestral homage to the timeless traditions of Indian classical music.
This evocative ensemble brings together a constellation of maestros—Pandit Nityanand Haldipur’s ethereal bansuri, Pandit Jyoti Goho’s lyrical harmonium, Pandit Dishari Chakraborty’s rare Shatatantri Veena, Shri Bedarshi Bandpadhyay on sitar and the soul-stirring vocals of Smt. Yagnyaseni Majumdar and Sri Aniruddha Chakraborty.
Anchored by the rhythmic brilliance of Shri Pradip Palit and Shri Sayan Chatterjee on Harmonium, and supported by an exceptional cadre of tabla accompanists, including Shri Soumen Nandy, Shri Bivash Sanghai, Shri Guru Goutam Guha, Shri Talasree Sangram Roy, Shri Debabrata Gupta, Shri Sourabh Goho, Shri Biswajit Nandi, the performance promises a tapestry of sound that is both meditative and majestic.
34th Baba Allauddin Sangeet Samaroh 2025, invites all into a sacred space where melody meets memory, and tradition flows into transcendence
At the dawn of the 20th century, when Indian classical music stood at a crossroads between romantic khayal stylings and the austere grandeur of Dhrupad, Ustad Baba Allauddin Khan chose the path of tradition with unwavering conviction. Though his public recitals centred on the sarod, he mastered a constellation of Indian and Western instruments with effortless grace.
His life, rich with legend—from defying royalty to embracing the destitute—mirrored the depth of his music. A prolific composer, he crafted composite raags like the evocative Manj Khamaj, and his rare recordings from All India Radio remain treasured relics.
As a guru, he shaped the destinies of icons—Ustad Ali Akbar Khan, Annapurna Devi, Pandit Pannalal Ghosh, Pandit Nikhil Banerjee, and most famously, Pandit Ravi Shankar—ensuring that his legacy would echo across generations and continents.
Custodians of a Timeless Legacy
Since its founding in 1991, the Baba Allauddin Memorial Committee has stood as a beacon of classical excellence in Kolkata, West Bengal. Each year, on the 6th and 7th of September, the Committee orchestrates the revered Baba Allauddin Sangeet Samaroh, honoring the maestro’s enduring legacy.
Beyond the annual celebration, this distinguished non-profit organization, nurtures the arts through festivals, workshops, seminars and hybrid learning platforms for students and connoisseurs alike.
Curated by Pandit Dishari Chakraborty and helmed by Secretary Anupam Sarkar, the Committee continues to shape India’s cultural landscape with devotion and distinction.
A Legacy Blessed by Grace
“Each year, as we gather in reverence for Baba Allauddin Khan’s immortal spirit, we are reminded that this celebration is not merely an event—it is a sacred offering. With the blessings of Maa Annapurna Devi and the support of the Government of West Bengal, we honour the prophet of Hindustani classical instrumental music, whose silence still echoes in every raga we play.” — Pandit Dishari Chakraborty
Honoring a Maestro, Inspiring Generations
“Performing at the 34th Baba Allauddin Sangeet Samaroh is not just an honour—it is a homecoming to the soul of our tradition. As a disciple of the Maihar gharana, this is my heartfelt tribute to my grand guru, Ustad Allauddin Khan, whose teachings shaped the very pillars of Hindustani classical music and continue to resonate across generations and continents,” says Pandit Parta Pratim Roy, renowned musician.
“I am feeling honored to perform at this prestigious Samaroh, it will be my tribute to my grand Guru from whom my great gurus took taalim,” he added.
“Through the Baba Allauddin Memorial Committee, we celebrate not only the genius of Ustad Allauddin Khan but the living tradition he nurtured—a lineage of brilliance that shaped the soul of Indian classical music. From Rabindra Sadan each September, we carry forward his spirit through concerts, workshops and education, ensuring that his legacy continues to guide and inspire every seeker of sound.” — Secretary Anupam Sarkar
