Music in the Park
Music in the Park at Nehru Park has become one of Delhi’s most cherished celebrations of Indian classical music. Organised by SPIC MACAY, the annual gathering brings together maestros, students and music lovers beneath the open sky.
Twenty-One Years of Music
SPIC MACAY lives up to its reputation at its milestone event in Nehru Park.
The music has been playing in the park for 21 years and, hopefully, will continue doing so.
Perhaps, someday, with machines playing through humans in a not-so-distant future.
Even the Invisible Listener Arrives
Even the invisible man cannot resist the temptation of listening in the comfort of ample open space.
Though his shoes are a giveaway.
Ashwini Bhide Deshpande Opens the Festival
Ashwini Bhide Deshpande began the three-day homage to Indian classical music.
She sang of the changing seasons and the arrival of Chaitra.
“Chait Maas Bole Re Koyaliya Ho Rama.”
The composition floated effortlessly through the evening breeze.
Rindana Rahasya, herself an accomplished vocalist, accompanied on the tanpura.
The audience remained mesmerised—as expected.
The Interval
A short break offered the opportunity to munch.
The poor hawker was immediately mobbed.
An Evening of Musical Masters
The second half featured Ambi Subramaniam, Akram Khan, N. Radhakrishnan, and Ganesh Natarajan—each an accomplished performer in his own right.
Ambi opened with Mahishasuramardini in Adi Taal, proving worthy of his title as the “King of Indian Classical Violin.”
His father, L. Subramaniam, listened with quiet intent and unmistakable pride as Ambi’s fingers wove a musical trance.
Strings, Rhythm and Harmony
Ambi immersed himself in the violin.
The interaction among the quartet reflected remarkable synchronised harmony.
The eyes sang.
The Maestro Arrives
Then L. Subramaniam entered the arena.
Everyone listened.
The Unsung Performers
The men who programmed the sound and carried the music to the hearts of the audience delivered an unsung performance of their own.
Music That Holds Time Still
Held in rapt attention.
As though turned into statues by a singing Midas.
Can sound truly be captured through words and photographs?
Can the smartphone leave us alone for just one evening?
Music in the Park soothes the anxious city soul.
It calms the modern-day fidgety mind.
