Melbourne Hindustani Classical Music Society
  • Home
  • About
    • the music
    • the team
    • Patrons of the society
    • Local Artists
  • Join
  • Past Events
  • contact
  • News

Past MHCMS Hosted Events

7pm - Saturday 19th April

Ghulam Hasan Khan (Vocal) &
​Pandit Yogesh Samsi (Tabla Solo)
​

World leading tabla exponent hailing from the Punjab Gharana, Pandit Yogesh Samsi exhibits consummate artistry both as a soloist and accompanist. Son of renowned vocalist Late Pandit Dinkar Kaikini, Samsi was initiated into tabla by his father, before training under the revered Ustad Allah Rakha. He has accompanied several of the world's leading classical artists and performed at all major music festivals including Savai Gandharv, Saptak and Darbar. His style is marked by an unmatched combination of power, sensitivity, knowledge of tradition, tonal clarity, and aesthetics, rendering him one of the world's most sought-after tabla artists today.
For more info, visit : https://www.yogeshsamsi.com/

Ghulam Hasan Khan is an eminent young Hindustani classical vocalist of the Rampur-Sahaswan Gharana. He was initiated into music at age 3 by his father, Ustad Ghulam Abbas Khan. He then trained under the guidance of his late grandfather Padmashri Ustad Ghulam Sadiq Khan, who was one of the finest Hindustani classical vocalists of India. Khan has performed worldwide, including several of the major music festivals. Gifted with a mellifluous voice, he specialises in Khayaal, but also renders semi-classical and light forms with equal ease and dexterity. His mastery of all aspects of tonal variations, dynamics and timbre adjustment leave very little to be desired in the realm of voice culture. For more info, visit : ​https://www.ghulamhasankhan.com/index.html

Ghulam ji will be accompanied by Bhargav Shridhar on Harmonium. 
tickets

Sunday 13th April 

Riyaaz Session - 2:30pm - 5:30pm
​(private residence)


A bi-monthly forum for Hindustani Classical Music learners to come together to listen and practice their art. All levels welcome. 
​

​Interested students may send an email to [email protected] for further details.

Sunday 16th February 2025

Riyaaz Session 2:30pm-5:30pm 

A forum for Hindustani Classical Music learners to come together to listen and practice their art.
​

​Interested students may send an email to [email protected] for further details

Held at Kew Courthouse

The MHCMS hosts recitals of talented and knowledgeable Hindustani Classical Musicians for the wider community to enjoy.

Stay updated on exciting events and opportunities here, and on our Facebook Page ​ 
​

Saturday 15th February 2025

​Dr Rewa Natu - Vocal

Saugato Ghosh - Harmonium

Sushant Ullal - Tabla


Alankruta is a multi-faceted vocal musical show. The three primary aspects of the show are rendition of bandishs and semi classical compositions describing various ornaments; Narration that will unfold the tale, significance and socio-cultural-economic-historical value of jewellery and the third pillar is the slide-show that will accompany and exemplify the ornaments and themes being discussed.
The programme shows them all through the visual display…from the ‘bindi’ worn on the head to the ‘painjan’ worn on feet, concluding with a majestic bow to the goddess of wealth and prosperity, Shri Laxmi.
​

Vocal performance by Dr Rewa Natu held at Clayton Theatrette 
Rewa Natu was inspired and initiated into Hindustani classical singing by her father Pandit Vinayak Phatak, himself a renowned tabla artist. Rewa started learning music at the age of twelve, from late Shri. Dattopant Agashebua of Gwalior Gharana. She learned further under late Pandit Sharad Gokhale and Dr. Digvijay Vaidya. Today, Rewa presents a distinctive style by imbibing the quintessence of all her Gurus, and her extensive training on the various aspects of taals and their application in Bandishes. Read this information and more here.
Tickets

Saturday 8th March - 7:30pm

The 'Flute Sisters' :

​Debopriya & Suchismita Chatterjee

Renowned as the Flute Sisters, Debopriya and Suchismita Chatterjee are internationally acclaimed flautists, who have mezmerised audiences across the globe. Trained initially by the Late Pandit Bholanath Prassanna and then legendary Pandit Harisprasad Chaurasia in the guru-shishya parampara, the sisters are a rare female flute duo in a traditionally male-dominated field. They have pioneered a distinctive path with their impeccable technical mastery and soulful expression.

Apart from performing with their guru Harisprasad ji, the Flute Sisters have collaborated with legends such as Ustad Zakir Hussain, Pandit Shiv Kumar Sharma, and Pandit Birju Maharaj. They have also performed in several prestigious festivals like Saptak and Sankat Mochan Sangeet Samaroh. With numerous accolades and a growing international presence, the Flute Sisters continue to inspire audiences with their innovative approach and dedication to preserving the rich legacy of Hindustani classical music.
​
The duo will be accompanied by Ramdas Palsule on tabla.
tickets

Sunday 9th March - 10am

Ragini Shankar (Violin)

Ragini Shankar has been lauded worldwide for being one of the most promising faces of Indian Classical music. Born into a musical lineage spanning over seven generations, Ragini Shankar initially received training from her illustrious grandmother, Dr. N Rajam (a Padmabhushan awardee), as well as her exemplary mother, Dr. Sangeeta Shankar.
Ragini ji’s ability to play the violin in the Gayaki Ang with astounding accuracy, tonal quality and exceptional fingering and bowing techniques renders her one of the most foremost hindustani classical artists of today.
She has performed at prestigious music festivals all over India, North America, Europe, UK and South-east Asia, including Sawai Gandharv, Dover Lane and Saptak. Ragini ji is also known for her collaborations with various artists in diverse genres, and is signed under Universal Records for a full-length album with her ensemble ‘Taraana’. She is the recipient of the distinguished Aditya Birla Kala Kiran Award. She is a prolific teacher of the violin, with faculty positions at the prestigious Whistling Woods International School of Music and Rajam School of Violin.

Ragini ji will be accompanied by Ramdas Palsule on tabla.
tickets

Sunday 9th March - 7:30pm

Shruti Sadolikar (Vocal)

A leading exponent of the Jaipur-Autrauli gharana, Shruti Sadolikar is one of the finest living vocalists in the Hindustani Classical tradition.
Her guru and mentor was her father, the late Pandit Wamanrao Sadolikar, a well-known exponent of Hindustani classical music. Notably, he was a disciple of Pt. Vishnu Digambar Paluskar and Ustad Alladiya Khan (Founder of the Jaipur-Atrauli Gharana), as well as his son Ustad Bhurji Khan. Shrutiji trained for 12 years under Ustad Gullubhai Jasdanwala, renowned for his repository of rare compositions and complex ragas of the Jaipur-Atrauli Gharana. She then continued to learn from Ustad Bhurji Khan’s son, Ustad Azizuddin Khan, till his demise in August 2011.
Shruti ji holds a master’s degree in music from SNDT Women’s University, and is well known as a scholar musician, also notably having served as the Vice Chancellor of the Bhatkhande Music Institute, Lucknow. She has won the prestigious Sangeet Natak Akademi Award for Music, and has also performed at major music festivals such as Sawai Gandharv, Tansen Samroh and ITC Sangeet Sammelan.
Shruti Sadolikar’s performances are lauded for their balance of technical brilliance and a voice imbued with soulful warmth, which have left audiences mesmerised all over the world.


Shruti ji will be accompanied by Ramdas Palsule on tabla, and Vinay Mishra on Harmonium.
tickets

 

Other events :

MIFHCM - Individual Events 

Saturday 8th March - 2pm

Indrani Mukherjee (Vocal)

​A highly acclaimed vocalist of the Rampur-Kirana gharana, she is known for her mellifluous and charismatic voice. Apart from classical, Indrani ji also embodies the timeless beauty of the Purab Ang as a leading exponent of Thumri.
Indrani ji’s journey of honing her talent began at home with initially her mother, then her aunt, and then her maternal grandfather Shri Sanjib Banerjee, training her since she was just a child of 3 years. Later in 1996, Indrani became a scholar at the ITC Sangeet Research Academy under the mentorship of Pandit Arun Bhaduri. She is also known to have taken taalim from celebrated artists like the Late Vidushi Purnima Choudhury Ji, and the Late Pandit Ramashray Jha Ji. Since 2012, Indrani has been a dedicated learner of her craft from the prodigal Vidushi Manju Sundaram Ji.
In 2021, she joined hands with the prestigious Darbar Academy - the educational wing of the Darbar Festival in the UK. She currently heads the vocal department here.
​Indrani Mukherjee’s technical brilliance as well as profound emotional depth, has left audiences mesmerised all over the world.
​
Indrani ji will be accompanied by Vinay Mishra on harmonium, and Apurba Mukherjee on tabla.
tickets

see full program
​
(2025 international festival)
BOOK NOW FOR the FESTIVAL
Picture

Saturday 30th November 2024

Susanta Chowdhury - Sitar

A sitar  performance by Shri Susanta Chowdhury with Pranav Ramji on tabla at the Armagh Mansion
Susanta Chowdhury, who hails from Kolkata, had his early training from his father Sri Bhupendra Nath Chowdhury and came under the tutelage of Sri Shyamal Chattopadhya. He then became a disciple of the famed Padmabhushan Pandit Debu Chaudhuri.  
Concert Notes
Shri Chowdhury presented compositions in Raag Rageshri followed by Charukauns. This was followed by Madhyam se Gara and concluded with Bhairavi
Pranav provided matching accompaniment on the tabla.

Saturday 12th October 2024

​Debasis Chakraborty - Slide Guitar

Dr Sam Evans - Tabla

Slide Guitar Performance by Shri Debasis Chakraborty at Armagh Mansion, Toorak
One of India’s foremost Indian Classical Guitar players,  Debasis was raised in the atmosphere of music from childhood. He began learning guitar from his father Shri Madhusudan Chakroborty in early childhood and later he took guidance from Pt. Barun Kumar Pal and Pt. Jotin  Bhattacharya. His quest for learning the intricacies of  guitar techniques and its aesthetical appeal inspired him to become a  disciple of the guitar maestro Pandit Brij Bhushan Kabra in the traditional Guru Sishya Parampara of the Senia - Maihar Gharana. 

Accompanied by Dr Sam Evans on Tabla.
Sam Evans is a contemporary Australian musician and tabla player who works as performer, composer and educator in Melbourne. Following many years of training and research in India, he has dedicated his career to integrating the culture, music and instruments of India in Australia. He is a regular international performer of both traditional Indian music and contemporary world music. He composes music for film and documentaries, is the founding director of the Melbourne Tabla School and is the first Australian to hold a PhD in tabla. 
​

Concert Notes
Debasis commenced his recital with Raag MaruBihag with Vilambit Madhyalaya and Drut bandishes in Teental, followed by a Dhun in Mishra Kafi- Aadha Teental and drut in Zila Kafi. He then presented a composition in Raag Bageshree in Teental. He concluded his recital with a Dhun in Mishra Shivranjani in Ektal followed by a Bhatiyali Dhun in in Deepchandi

Friday 27th September 2024

Melbourne Festival of Hindustani Classical Music

4-8:30pm


A half-day music festival featuring some of the best Hindustani Classical Musicians of Melbourne

We are pleased to present a half-day festival of Hindustani classical music featuring some of the best performers of this genre in Melbourne.

Harmonium solo: Bhargav Sridhar 
Tabla: Jigar Doshi


Sarod: Sabyasachi Bhattacharya
Tabla: Mansa Singh Namdhari

Sitar: Sahaj Williams
Tabla: Sahil Zagade

Vocal: Ranjitha Suresh
Tabla: Sushant Ullal
Harmonium: Saugato Ghosh

Vocal: Viraj Salvi
Tabla: Pandurang Toravi
Harmonium: Prasad Karve

Sitar: Saikat Bhattacharaya
Table: Jay Dabgar

Flute: Vinod Prasanna
Tabla: Pranav Ramji

To be held at Kew Court House
188 High St Kew 3101
Tickets

7:30pm Saturday 21st September 2024

Pt Milind Chittal - Vocal

Presented in collaboration with Mohan Nadkarni Foundation, a charity engaged in the promotion of traditional and classical performing arts and finding platforms for young, upcoming performers to display their talent. Held at Clayton Community Centre 9/15 Cooke St, Clayton VIC 3168

Milind ji trained under Ustad Firoz Dastur of the Kirana Gharana. He has a deep and resonant voice with a good range which is the highlight of his performances.
His devotional album Enchanting Ram Bhajans was nominated for the best devotional album in 2015 at the GiMA awards. He has performed at major music festivals all over India and has also in USA, UK, New Zealand, UAE and Oman.
Milind ji has given playback for the Shyam Benegal produced television serial The Discovery of India, and recorded albums with Times Music, Magnasound, Mystica Music and Fountain Music.
​He was accompanied by Shri Prasad Karve (harmonium) and Shri Sushant Ullal (tabla). The event was compered by Manisha Sethi
Concert Notes:
The concert commenced with Raag Puriya Kalyan (Vilambit Ektaal and Drut Teentaal compositions. This was followed by a variety of other Raags: Abhogi, Chhayanat, Jog and Shankara. The concert concluded with Bhairavi. 


7:30pm Saturday 24th August 2024

Satyendra Misra Memorial recital (sponsored by MHCMS patron, Manju Misra)

Pt Sugato Nag - Sitar

Jay Dabgar - Tabla


MHCMS presented the Satyendra Misra Memorial Recital of  Hindustani classical Surbahar and Sitar recitals by  Pt Sugato Nag at the Clayton Community Centre 
Sugato ji comes from a long line of Sitarists in a Sarod Gharana. He began learning music from Shri Anil Roychoudhuri, a senior disciple of the legendary Pt Radhika Mohan Moitra (Radhubabu), and then Radhubabu himself after the death of Shri Roychoudhuri. He eventually found his place with another of Radhubabu's disciples, the iconic Pt Buddhadev Dasgupta, and thus began the long journey of arduous training and relentless riyaz, that helped mature Sugato ji into the musician that he is today.

Sugato ji has retained the playing style of the Etawah Gharana that Radhubabu so carefully followed and preserved, and also infused his Sitar with intricate bol (rhythm) baaz inherited from the Sarod, that is typical of the Shahjahanpur Gharana.

Sugato ji has performed extensively including in India at the Sangeet Research Academy, The Dover Lane Music Conference, Ramakrishna Mission Music Festival, ITC SRA Sangeet Sammelan, Sangeet Natak Academy, Indian Council for Cultural Relations (ICCR), Sangeet Mahabharti, Mumbai, and touring across US, Canada, Germany, France, UK, Holland, Japan, and Australia. He is a regular performer on various Indian radio and television channels.

Accompanying Sugato ji was Jay Dabgar, a Melbourne-based Tabla player, born into a family of tabla makers, who has tabla for almost 18 years from his Gurus Late Pt. Nandan Mehta and Pt. Pooran Maharaj at the famous Saptak School Of Music, India. Jay has accompanied many great artists and has won National level competitions in India. 

About Satyendra Misra - The founding President of Melbourne Hindustani Classical Music Society in 2017, whose love for Hindustani classical music was infectious, and vision continues to inspire us.​

Concert Notes:
Sugato ji commenced with a Surbahar segment presenting Raag Jaijaiwant with an Alaap Jod Jhala. This was followed by the sitar segment with Raag Nand (Vilambit Teental composition). He then presented Raag Bihagda (Aaochar and Drut Teental)Th next segment featured a demonstration of compositions from the Kanada Family of Raags (Kanada Ke Prakar).He was joined by Saby (Rahul) Bhattacharya on the sarod exploring compositions from the Shahjahanpur Gharana in the Kanada Raag Family starting with Darbari, Shahana, Kafi, Nayaki and Kaunsi Kanada​
This was followed by a concluding item in Bhairavi



​

7:30pm Friday 24th May 2024

Smt Sawani Shende (Vocal)

MHCMS presented the VD Paluskar Memorial recital, sponsored by Suneeta Sathye at the Clayton Community Theatre  Apart from significant contributions as a Hindustani Classical artist himself, Paluskar ji is credited for singing the first version of the bhajan 'Raghupati Raghav Raja Ram' and he also founded the famous Gandharva Mahavidhyalaya insitution. 

Smt Sawani Shende Sathye 
was born to musically rich family, being very fortunate to have her father and grandmother as her Gurus. Sawani ji's grandmother, Smt. Kusum Shende was a notable singer of the Kirana Gharana, and an honoured artist of the Sangeet Natak Era. The quest for more and more knowledge in music brought Sawani ji to learn more music under the expert guidance of  Smt Veena Sahastrabuddhe, a noted classical vocalist from Gwalior Gharana. Sawani ji mesmerises audiences with her pure yet aesthetic renderings of raags. Her confidence in mastery of khayaals, her crystal clear diction, and overall sensitivity, bring a vibrant and unique energy to each of her performances. 

Concert Notes:
The recital commenced with  Shyam Kalyan with a vilambit composition followed by a drut tarana. This was followed by Raag Jogkauns, a raag created by Pt Gajananbuwa Purohit  in Madhyalay Rupak :Jhanak Rahi Payal Mori 
by Pt Gajanabuwa Purohit and 
Drut Teentaal Traditional bandish as taught by Hirabai Barodekar (Payaliya Mori Re)
She then presented a uncommon raag 
 Amritvarshini, a raag close to Maru Bihag with compositions in Madhyalay Jhaptaal : Nirmohi Piya Bandhe Na Preet Se (Self composed) followed by Drut Etkaal a Pt Jitendra Abhishek composition  : Ka Sang Ki Ni Preet
She followed this up with a 
Dadra in Mishra Shivranjini composed by Smt Shobha Gurtu: Saiyan Tihari Marzi
Accompanying her were Melbourne's much sought after Shri Pandurang Toravi on tabla, and Shri Prasad Karve on Harmonium. The concert was compered by Suneel Chalisgaonkar



Melbourne International Festival of Hindustani Classical Music 2024

E-Program:
Picture

7:30pm Saturday 9th March 2024


The second of four festival recitals featured the soothing vocals of Pt Sanjeev Abhyankar. 

This is the Pt Govindrao Tembe Memorial Recital, presented by his grandchildren in grateful memory of Pt Govindrao Tembe - a prodigious Hindustani classical harmonium player, stage actor, and music composer. 

Blessed with an exceptionally sweet voice, Pt Sanjeev Abhyankar hails from the Mewati Gharana. He received initial training from his mother Dr Shobha Abhyankar as well as Pt Pimpalkhare, before learning from the legendary Pt Jasraj in the Guru-Shishya Parampara tradition and accompanying him on his tours. Equally versed in classical as well as light music, Pt Abhyankar's easy grace and versatility is evident in the depth of his raags, as well as his soulful bhajans and film songs. He won the National Film Award for Best Male Playback Singer in 1999 for his song Suno Re Bhaila in the Hindi film Godmother, and also received the Kumar Gandharva National Award 2008 from the government of Madhya Pradesh for sustained excellence in the field of Classical Arts. 

Abhishek Shinkar (Harmonium) is one of the youngest artists to be featured, after his skill on harmonium gained considerable recognition. Shinkar is receiving training under the renowned harmonium artist Sri Pramod Marathe, and has performed at numerous festivals across India and the US. He completed his Masters of Arts in music from Pune and was also a scholarship recipient from the Indian Government’s Ministry of Culture. Abhishek ji is known for his ability to seamlessly compliment vocals, tabla solos and various classical instruments.

Tabla accompaniment was by  Shri Anubrata Chatterjee. 

Concert notes

The recital commenced with Raag Maru Bihagwith a vilambit composition in Ektaal made popular by his guru Pt Jasraj - Rasiya Ho Na Ja Followed by a drut composition in Teentaal - Aaj Aaye More Dham Shyam
This was followed by a slow composition in Rupak Taal in Raag Madhukauns “Kahe Mori Baat” followed by a drut Teentaal composition: Sakhi Ja Ke kahiye
The 2nd half commenced with Raag Rageshri in Vilambit Ektaal “Jab se Tumi” followed by a Drut Teental composition “Sajna Re Jiya Lagat Na”
He concluded with an original Abhang  in Marathi followed by a Kabir bhajan “Bina Lagan Ke Preet Bavre” 
Shri Anubrata Chatterjee and Shri Abhishek Shinkar provided excellent accompaniment. The evening was compered by Shri Dev Nadkarni


Featured: Pt Sanjeev Abhyankar (Vocal)

Picture

10am Sunday 10th March

The third of four festival recitals featured a meditative morning of Dhrupad vocals by Branan Dubh  with Shri Pandurang Toravi followed by a tabla solo by Shri Anubrata Chatterjee. 
​
This was the Dr. Vaman Betigeri Memorial Recital. Dr Betigeri was a well-loved Melbourne GP, who in turn also loved his Hindustani Classical Music. 
 
Shri Branan Dubh’s (Dhrupad Vocal) artistic path has been lit by sonic encounters with the sacred, and powered by a sense that music can change the world. He fell in love with classical raag music over 30 years ago as a music student in Canberra, and later studied sarod under the tutelage of Pandit Ashok Roy in Sydney. A meandering musical search led Dubh to the dhrupad genre, and he began his apprenticeship with Padmashri Umakant and Ramakant Gundecha in 2002, making several extended study trips to India since then. Branan is an avid researcher of the sacred music traditions of India and has a repertoire of devotional song, including Kabir and Gurbani kirtan. His work aims to reconnect classical raag music with its roots in sacred music and holotropic experience. He has performed in Australia, India, Europe and the USA and received an Ian Potter Cultural Trust grant in 2012 to study at the Dhrupad Sansthan. 

​An outstanding tabla player from the Farukhabad Gharana, Anubrata Chatterjee (Tabla) is son of tabla maestro Pandit Anindo Chatterjee. He became the youngest and final "Ganda-Bandh" disciple of the revered guru Padmabhushan - Deshkottam Jnan Prakash Ghosh, before continuing to train under his father Anindo Ji. Whilst the Farukhabad Gharana is the base for his tabla style, he also incorporates elements of the Lucknow and Ajrada Gharanas into his playing. With his dexterity, grace, and unmatched tonal quality, Anubrata has not only taken his father’s legacy forward but also developed his own identity as both a successful accompanist and solo artist. 


Pandurang Toravi (Tabla) was born in a family of musicians in Dharwad, India. He started playing Tabla at the age of 8. Initially he learnt from Shri Rajaguru Kallurkar and then pursued rigorous training under the legendary Tabla player Pt. Basavaraj Bendigeri of Dharwad for 10 years. Pandurang is a graded artist of All India Radio and has accompanied Hindustani musicians including Pt Vinayak Torvi, Pt Venkatesh Kumar, Ustad Rais Khan (Dharwad), Pt Sri Krishna Haldankar. He also teaches the Tabla in Melbourne.

Concert Notes
The concert began with an elaborate exposition by Shri Dubh of the morning raag Jaunpuri. Compositions in Dhamar were presented with Shri Pandurang Torvi providing accompaniment on tabla

The 2nd half of the recital featured Shri Anubrata Chatterjee's solo tabla recital with a series of compositions from his gharana and other influence on him. Lehara support was provided by Shri Shaminder Pal Singh on sarangi.

The concert was compered by Leaf Klevjer

​

​

Featured: Branan Dubh (Dhrupad Vocal) & Shri Anubrata Chatterjee (Tabla Solo)

7:30pm Sunday 10th

March 2024


The final evening of Melbourne International Festival of Hindustani Classical Music 2024 featured Ustad Shahid Parvez Khan on sitar, accompanied by Shri Anubrata Chatterjee on tabla. The concert was compered by Rohan Bhattacharya

This was presented as  the Deepika Shome Memorial Recital - presented in grateful memory of Smt Deepika Shome, a much loved Melbourne-based teacher of Hindustani Classical Music, by her students.

Ustad Shahid Parvez Khan (Sitar) is widely recognised as one of the greatest sitar players of the world. He represents the seventh generation of the sitar’s first family, the Etawah Gharana. A very young Shahid Parvez was initiated into the rich traditions of the Gharana by his father and guru Ustad Aziz Khan – the son of legendary sitar and surbahar virtuoso Ustad Waheed Khan. His family has produced the most revered and influential figures in Hindustani Classical Music including Ustad Vilayat Khan and Ustad Enayet Khan. Recipient of numerous prestigious awards, including the government of India’s Padma Shri and Sangeet Natak Academy Award, Shahid ji has performed across India, Europe, North America, Asia and Australia, enthralling audiences everywhere. His music is both novel and evolving. Shahid ji’s unique tone and astute artistic sense have become his hallmark as a respected performer and composer. The power of his music emanates from the highly charged sound he conjures on stage. He emphasizes the unique capabilities of the sitar itself, while drawing upon numerous musical influences easily recognisable to the knowing ear. He has achieved success in not only preserving tradition, but also pushing its boundaries to even greater heights of aesthetic beauty.

Concert Notes

The first half of the concert began with Raag Jhinjhoti, with Alaap, Jod for about 25 minutes, followed by a composition in Rupak taal and then a Sitarkhani gat.
This was followed by Raag Kalavati in Teental - a composition in his signature style with both layakari and gayaki ang (components),
The 2nd half of the concert commenced with an elaborate expansion of Raag Mishra Pilu including a brief glimpses of Mishra Gara (Mohe Panghat Pe Nandlal), Shivranjini, Tilak Kamod, Jaijaiwanti, in Thumri Ang followed by compositions in Deepchandi and Teentaal including the famous Ustad Vilayat Khan composition. 
The concluding item was in Bhairavi with compositions based on classics such as Baat Chalat Mori and an demonstration of transposition of notes.

Anubrata Chatterjee provided brilliant tabla support interspersed with solo pieces tastefully matching the compositions - eliciting applause from the audience.  Both artists received a standing ovation.

Featured: Ustad Shahid Parvez Khan (Sitar)
Picture

2pm Saturday 9th March 2024 


The 2024 edition of MIFHCM opened with the Mala Dave Memorial Recital. Mala ji was a Melbourne-based music lover and was also responsible for organising the Ghazals at Nazarey event in 2021, where she warmed all our hearts with her hospitality.

The event commenced with a vocal recital by Ranjitha Suresh with Shri Sushant Ullal on tabla and Shri Prasad Karve on Harmonium. This was  followed by a Sarangi recital by Shri Shaminder Pal Singh, accompanied by Shri Anubrata Chatterjee on tabla. The event was compered by Aadya Mishra.


Ranjitha Suresh is an established Hindustani Classical Vocalist residing in Melbourne, Australia. She is a senior disciple of Sri Koushik Aithal, Bangalore. Her inclination towards Hindustani classical music initiated her to learn under Guru Smt.Indrakshi Srivatsa, Smt.Meghana Kulkarni and at present from Sri Koushik Aithal for the last 8years. Her gayaki reflects Kirana, Gwalior, and Patiala Gharana styles. Ranjitha also holds a masters degree in Commerce and has served as a lecturer for 4 years in her hometown, Bangalore.
Shri Sushant Ullal trained in tabla under Shri Gurumurthy Vaidya in Mumbai. Shri Prasad Karve learnt the harmonium under late Smt Deepika Shome of Melbourne


Shri Shaminder Pal Singh is a Sarangi and Saranda player from Miyan Tansen's Senia Gharana. His sangeet taleem began with his father Shri Harchand Singh and continued with Ustad Latif Ahmed Khan of Muradabad Gharana. He later honed his craft under the guidance of Padam Bhushan awardee, Ustad Sabri Khan. Singh was a Sarangi artist under All India Radio for many years, and has subsequently performed across many prestigious platforms in India and worldwide throughout his music career. Singh has accompanied many renowned artists such as Pandit Birju Maharaj and Smt Urmila Nagar as well as film singers like Alka Yagnik and Hans Raj Hans. He is also credited for teaching a number of acclaimed artists such as Sukhwinder Singh and Bhupinder Singh. Shri Shaminder Pal Singh is credited for not keeping alive but mastering many of the world’s more rare instruments, such as the sarangi, dilruba, rabab and Israj. His rich musical knowledge and breadth makes Shri Pal Singh one of the finest sarangi artists today. 

An outstanding tabla player from the Farukhabad Gharana, Shri Anubrata Chatterjee (Tabla) is son of tabla maestro Pandit Anindo Chatterjee. He became the youngest and final "Ganda-Bandh" disciple of the revered guru Padmabhushan - Deshkottam Jnan Prakash Ghosh, before continuing to train under his father Anindo Ji. Whilst the Farukhabad Gharana is the base for his tabla style, he also incorporates elements of the Lucknow and Ajrada Gharanas into his playing. With his dexterity, grace, and unmatched tonal quality, Anubrata has not only taken his father’s legacy forward but also developed his own identity as both a successful accompanist and solo artist. 

Concert Notes
Ranjitha commenced her recital with the afternoon Raag Bhimpalasi, starting with the classic Vilambit Ektaal Composition Abto Bhayi Ber, followed by a drut teental composition Jaonuri Tumharo Man Shyam. She followed this with a Teental composition in Raag Madhuvanti (Eri Aali Koyaliya Bole) and an drut Ektaal composition Shyam More Mandir Aaye. She concluded her recital with a Surdas Bhajan in Raag Des Hey Govinda Hey Gopala - depiciting the prayer of the elephant praying to Krishna after its leg is trapped in a crocodile's jaws when drinking water from a lake.
She was ably supported by Sushant Ullal on tabla and Prasad Karve on Harmonium

Shamindar ji commenced his recital with the afternoon Raag Patdeep, with Madhyalaya and Drut compositions in Teentaal. He concluded with Raag Pilu in Deepchandi
Anubrata Chatterjee provided excellent tabla accompaniment
 
Featuring: Ranjitha Suresh and Shri Shaminder Pal Singh
Picture

7:30pm Saturday 18th November 2023

Raag Rung


Raag Rung is the annual recital for talented Hindustani Classical artists based in Melbourne. 

Dr Helena Joshi is a general practitioner by profession, with an unwavering passion for Kathak dance. Born out of a resonance towards her Indian roots, Kathak became her means of artistic expression. She trained under Guru Prerana Deshpande, a leading exponent of Kathak in Pune, carrying the lineage of Guru Rohini Bhate. She has learnt in the tradition of Guru-shishya parampara (master-disciple tradition). Helena is also the creative director of Infinity Kathak, Brisbane’s Premier Kathak Dance Company. She has now relocated to Melbourne and hopes to share her art form in a new city. Helena believes that Kathak has exquisite depth and the art form is the ultimate form of prayer for her.

Bimal Singh is a 21 year old vocalist and Taus player born and raised Melbourne. He began his musical training in the Sikh tradition of Gurbani Sangeet from a very young age. Currently, Bimal is receiving guidance in Hindustani Classical Music in the Jaipur-Atrauli Gharana discipline from Dr Nishad Matange, who is a student of Dr. Ashwini Bhide-Deshpande. He has performed in several prestigious forums including at ACMI in Federation Square and with the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra.

Neeharika Shyju (who also goes by her stage name - Neeru) started her musical journey at the age of 5 with Carnatic Music. At age 8, she started learning Hindustani Classical Music in the Kirana Gharana style, under the tutelage of Smt Rupa Bose. Neeru began to show interest in her own compositions, and started creating and releasing original music recently, much of which is based on Hindustani Classical Music. She considers music to be an integral part of her life and would like to pursue music in her higher education.

​Mansa Singh Namdhari stands as the most recent addition to the vibrant community of Melbourne based Tabla players. He has received extensive guidance in Tabla from Shri Ramakant and Shri Rajesh Malviya and holds a Masters degree in Arts from Punjab University in Jalandhar. Mansa ran the Sri Satguru Jagjit Singh Tabla Academy in India and has participated in major music festivals like Harvallabh Festival as both a soloist as well as an accompanist. Mansa also featured in the 2023 edition of Melbourne International Festival of Hindustani Classical Music.  

7:30pm Saturday 21st October 2023

​


Vocal: Hemant Pendse

Tabla: Milind Gurav

Harmonium: Pramod Marathe 


An evening of music at the home of one of our MHCMS Patrons. 

Shri Hemant Pendse is one of the leading vocalists in the realm of Hindustani classical music. Blessed with a very mellifluous voice, Hemant Pendse’s repertoire includes khyal, thumri-dadra, devotional and Marathi light music. Over a considerable period of time, he has been successful in applying the essence of his Gurus’ training while creating his own aesthetic principles in his gayaki. This is also reflected in his compositions in khyal and devotional music.

Event for MHCMS Patrons only

7:30pm Saturday 23rd September 2023

​

Sitar: Pt Shubhendra Rao

Cello: Saskia Rao

PANDIT SHUBHENDRA RAO
Composer and performer, Pandit Shubhendra Rao is ranked amongst the key soloists of India who lived with his guru, Pandit Ravi Shankar in the Guru-Shishya Parampara for over 10 years, assisting him in concerts and compositions all over the world. He is an unmatched master at his instrument whose playing reminds the listener of the masters of yore transformed into today’s era. Shubhendra is a musical ambassador by his natural ability to bridge cultures across the world. In November 2007, he was awarded the “Youth Icon for Classical Music” by India’s popular Zee Television Network.

​
SASKIA RAO-DE HAAS
Saskia Rao-de Haas is a brilliant cellist and composer from the Netherlands who is based in India. She has enriched North Indian classical music with her unique instrument, the Indian cello, and created a distinctive playing style with it. She studied with Pandit Hariprasad Chaurasia as well as at top institutes in the West, CODARTS and University of Amsterdam. In addition to her prestigious status in India, Saskia is an accomplished Western classical cellist. In 2011, Saskia was awarded the ‘Pandit Jasraj - Rotary Club of Hyderabad Award’ for Cross-Cultural Understanding by the Maestro himself at a scintillating ceremony in Hyderabad.
Tickets

7:30pm Saturday 29th July 2023

​

Mohan Veena: Poly Varghese

Tabla: Pranav Ramji
​

Opened by:

Vocal: Rahila Sarma

Tabla: Pranav Ramji

Harmonium: Bhargav Sridhar




Poly Varghese was initially trained at Kerala Kalamandalam, Kerala’s paramount center for training in classical arts. He specialized in Mridangam, the main component of percussion in southern classical music. 
A chance meeting with Pandit Viswa Mohan Bhatt made him fall head over heels in adoration with Mohan Veena. Once he got introduced to the maestro and his creation, Poly dedicated all resources to learn and practice the magic called Mohan Veena. 
Join us at Armagh mansion in Toorak for what is sure to be a captivating night of music. 

Tickets: $20 General, Free for MHCMS Patrons

2pm Sunday 25th June 2023

Riyaaz Session

A space for Hindustani classical music students to practice performing

​Interested students may send an email to [email protected] for further details

7:30pm Friday 23rd June 2023

​

Sitar: Josh Feinberg


Tabla: Jay Dabgar

Join us for an evening of music at the iconic Armagh Centre in Toorak

Josh Feinberg is celebrated as one of the world’s leading young sitarists, and is hailed as one of the most original and dynamic sitar maestros of his generation. As a Jewish-American Hindustani artist, Josh is a self described “musical immigrant,” in the field of Indian classical music. His music and presence inspires musicians and listeners alike, and serves as a unifying force bringing people together from different cultures and walks of life. Josh represents the future of sitar in the 21st century, and the growing diversity of the Hindustani music field.

3-6pm Sunday 21st May 2023

​

Tickets

Slide Guitar: Rhitom Sarkar 

Tabla: Dr Sam Evans



Vocal: Namrata Trivedi

Tabla: Sahil Zagade

Harmonium: Saurabh Mishra





Join us for an afternoon of music at the iconic Armagh Centre in Toorak

2023 Melbourne International Festival of

Hindustani Classical Music


Friday 10th - Sunday 12th March 2023
An enchanting weekend of world-class music 
See the full program here
Tickets

Pt Govindrao Tembe Memorial Recital

7pm Friday 10th March 2023 

The curtain raiser for the 2023 edition of Melbourne International Festival of Hindustani Classical Music will feature the esteemed Jaipur gharana  vocalist Pt Sudheer Pote , with highly regarded young musicians - Yashwant Vaishnav and Tanmay Deochake accompanying him on the Tabla and Harmonium respectively. 

The evening will open with a Sarod recital by Melbourne based Saby Bhattacharya with Jay Dabgar on Tabla (also Melbourne based).

This recital is presented in the memory of Pt Govindrao Tembe, a classical Harmonium player trained in the Jaipur gharana, stage actor, and music composer.

To be held at Hawthorn Arts Centre


Deepika Shome Memorial Recital

2pm Saturday 11th March 2023 

A rare afternoon event showcasing the introspective afternoon Raags of Hindustani classical music, and  featuring an all-Melbourne based ensemble of musicians. 
Viraj Salvi will open the afternoon with a vocal recital accompanied by Pandurang Torvi on Tabla and Prasad Karve on Harmonium.

Vinod Prasanna will present a classical flute recital in the second half with Pranav Ramji on Tabla.
​

This recital is presented in the memory of Deepika Shome, a much loved Melbourne based teacher of Hindustani classical music who introduced this wonderful music to an entire generation of Melbournians.

Dr. Vaman Betigeri Memorial Recital

7pm Saturday 11th March 2023 

A musical treat with one of India’s pre-eminent vocalists, Vd Aarti Ankalikar-Tikekar, with highly regarded young musicians - Yashwant Vaishnav and Tanmay Deochake accompanying her on the Tabla and Harmonium respectively. Vd Ankalikar-Tikekar sings in the Agra as well as Gwalior and Jaipur styles, and was trained by the legendary Vd Kishori Amonkar. 

She is also well known as a singer in the Marathi, Konkani and Hindi film Industry who has received two National Film Awards for Best Female Playback Singer. She was the main playback singer for the iconic Shyam Benegal film, Sardari Begum, and has also sung for the movies Antarnaad, De dhakka, Savlee, and Ek Hazarachi Note. 

The evening will open with a vocal recital by Melbourne based Ranjitha Suresh, with Pandurang Toravi on Tabla and Bhargav Sridhar on Harmonium.
​

This recital is presented in the memory of Dr. Vaman Betigeri, a Melbourne based medical practitioner who loved Hindustani classical music.

Satyendra Misra Memorial Recital

10am Sunday 12th March 2023 

A morning of deep, meditative Raags presented by ‘Surmani’ Kuljit Singh Sangar, Yashwant Vaishnav on Tabla and Tanmay Deochake on Harmonium. Kuljit ji is a masterful vocalist whose recitals feature an evocative blend of technique, artistry and finesse. 

The morning will open with a Sitar recital by Saikat Bhattacharya, accompanied on the Tabla by Mansa Singh Namdhari.
​

This recital is presented in the memory of Satyendra Misra, the inaugural President and co-founder of Melbourne Hindustani Classical Music Society.


Pt Vishnu Digambar Paluskar Memorial Recital

7pm Sunday 12th March 2023 

The finale of the 2023 edition of Melbourne International Festival of Hindustani Classical Music will feature the mesmerising Kirana gharana vocalist, Pt Jaiteerth Mevundi, accompanied by highly regarded young musicians - Yashwant Vaishnav and Tanmay Deochake on the Tabla and Harmonium respectively. Pt Mevundi’s music reflects his deep spiritual leanings, and is reminiscent of his legendary Dada-Guru, Pt Bhimsen Joshi. 
​

The evening will commence with a short presentation of Harmonium and Tabla solos by Tanmay Deochake and Yashwant Vaishnav.

This recital is presented in the memory of the legendary Hindustani vocalist Pt Vishnu Digambar Paluskar, who famously popularised Hindustani classical music amongst the masses in the early 20th century CE. He sang the original version of Raghupati Rāghav Rāja Rām and is credited with arranging India's national song, Vandé Mātaram.

Saturday 12th November 2022

7:30-10:30 pm

Sitar - Sahana Banerjee

Tabla - Mayookh Bhaumik



Tickets $50

Sahana Banerjee is an esteemed sitarist. Her mother Chhabi Banerjee, a famous singer, and her father Pandit Santosh Banerjee, a sitar and surbahar master, trained her in their styles while also providing her with the freedom to form her own. Sahana seeks to expand Hindustani music’s audience, organising the Swarsudha series of baithak (house concerts), saying, “my principal aim is to propagate Indian classical music among musically common people who are way from classical music”. 

Read more here

Tickets

Saturday 8th October 2022

7-10 pm


Sarod - Praashekh Borkar

Baansuri - Vinod Prasanna

Tabla - Pranav Ramji



​

Picture

Saturday 17th September 2022

7:30-10:30 pm

​Raag Rung

Showcasing talented local artists


Join us at Armagh Mansion (226 Kooyong Road, Toorak), for an evening including performances from a number of Melbourne-based artists:

Vocal-Esha Banerjee with Harmonium - Saugato Ghosh & Tabla - Pandurang Toravi
Sitar-Sahaj Williams with Tabla- Saahil Zagade


Tickets

Saturday 13th August 2022

7:30-10:30 pm

​Rabaab: Qais Essar

Sarod: Saby Bhattacharya 

Tabla: Pranav Ramji
​

Join us at Kew Courthouse for an evening enchanting music featuring the rare rabaab instrument. 

$20 General Entry
​Free for MHCMS Patrons


​

Picture

Saturday 23rd July 2022

7:30-10:30 pm

Shri Mohan Nadkarni Memorial concert

​Vocal: Dev Koppikar and Viraj Salvi

Tabla: Pandurang Torvi

Harmonium: Prasad Karve

An evening of music at the Hawthorn Arts Centre's Chandelier Hall, featuring a documentary on the Shri Mohan Nadkarni. 

$20 General Entry
​Free for MHCMS Patrons


​

tickets

Sunday 19th June 2022

3-4 pm

​Lec-Dem: Irfan Khan (Lucknow gharana Sarod)


Sunday 15th May 2022

10am-1 pm

Vocal - Mandar Gadgil with
​
Tabla - Pandurang Toravi

Harmonium - Shaugato Ghosh



tickets
Join us for a morning of music at the historic Armagh House in Toorak

Sunday 24th April 2022

2-5 pm

​Flute - Vinod Prasanna with Tabla - Pranav Ramji


 2022 Melbourne Festival of

Hindustani Classical Music

Sunday 13th March 2022

7-10 pm

​Dr Ashok Da Ranade Memorial Recital

​
Violin - Murali Kumar with Tabla - Jay Dabgar
Sarod - Dr. Adrian McNeil with Tabla - Pandurang Torvi

book now

Sunday 13th March 2022

10am -1 pm

​Pt Govindrao Tembe Memorial Recital 

Vocal - Ranjeetha Suresh 
Tabla - Dr. Sam Evans
Harmonium - Bhargav Sridhar


Vocal - Viraj Salvi
Tabla - Pandurang Torvi
Harmonium - Prasad Karve

​

Book now

Saturday 12th March 2022

7-10 pm

​Mohinder Dhillon Memorial 

Recital 

Veena - Ramnath & Gopinath Iyer with Mridangam and Tabla - Pranav Ramji
​Sarod - Saby Bhattacharya with Tabla - Pranav Ramji

​

book now

Saturday 12th March 2022

2-5 pm

Mrs Deepika Shome Memorial Recital 

Vocal - Aaditya Kale with Tabla - Abhi Garg and Harmonium- Saurabh Mishra
Saxophone - Nicholas Buff with Tabla - Shen Flindell
Sitar - Saikat Bhattacharya with Tabla - Shen Flindell

​

book now

 Workshop Series

Basics of Hindustani Classical Music

with Vinod Prasanna

Saturday 5 March 2022
11:00 am – 1:00 pm AEDT

We present a number of workshops as part of the Melbourne Festival of Hindustani Classical Music.

​If you have always been fascinated by the intricacies of Hindustani classical music, come along and hear about it from one of Australia's best musicians, Vinod Prasanna.

Book now
Picture

13th February 2022

Riyaaz

A meeting of Melbourne-based Classical Artists


Saturday 27th November

Ghazal at Nazaaray

4 - 7pm

Join us for an insight into the Poetry and Song of Ghazals, followed by a performance by local musicians.
​
Aminul Haque, Rahila Sarma, Saurabh Mishra - Vocal
Pranav Ramji - Tabla
Bhargav Sridhar - Harmonium
Sahaj Williams - Sitar


Book Now
Picture

Sunday 7th November

Pt Rajendra Prasanna - Baansuri

4pm AEDT

Online recital exclusively for MHCMS Patrons.  

Saturday 23rd October

Dr. Rajyasree Ghosh - Vocal

9 - 10:30pm

Online event exclusively for MHCMS Patrons
​

​

Friday 8th October

Lec-Dem 

Khamaaj Thaat ke Raag

9 - 10:30pm


Presented by: Satyajit & Kshipra Shukre
Rohan Bhattacharya (on Sarod)
.
​
​

Picture

Friday 17th September

Taus by Dr. Ashpreet Singh Rhythm

Dedicated to the memory of Smt Deepika Shome
​
9:30 - 11:30pm

online Patron exclusive event
​


Friday 13th August

Varadraj Bhosle - Sitar & Surbahaar


Online 10pm - 12am


Patron Exclusive event

Sunday 16th May


Shubhra Talegaonker - Vocal
​
Prathibha Talegaonker - Harmonium
​
Live online event held via Zoom.
Exclusively for Patrons of the Society - details sent directly via email.
4pm start


Saturday 10th April

Raag Rung
​

Showcasing talented local artists

Bimal Singh - Taus and Vocal
Rithvik Singh - Tabla
Sahil Zagade - Tabla
Saikat Bhattacharya- Sitar
Pandurang Torvi - Tabla


​
​
Live music event held at Kew Courthouse 7pm start. 

Sunday 28th March 

Lecture- Demonstration on 'Tabla Gharanas' by Rohen Bose

Online Zoom event, open to Patrons of the Society


Saturday 13th March 
Ranjitha Suresh - Vocal
Aman Kalyan - Tabla
Prasad Karve - Harmonium
Murali Kumar - Violin


Held at Kew Courthouse

Sunday 28th February 2021 

Maitrayee Roy - Vocal

Anirban Roy - Flute

​Tuhin Karmakar - Tabla

Online zoom event, 4:30pm AEDT

Maitrayee Roy and Anirban Roy are a prodigious brother-sister duo and we are so pleased and privileged to hear them perform. Maitrayee started her musical journey at the age of two and half from her mother Smt Chaitali Roy, who is a singer and a disciple of Smt Manjushree Pattanayak, and now she learns from Vidushi Anjana Nath. Maitrayee is a celebrated performer, being awarded the Telegraph Excellence Award in 2019 and winning the solo singing contest organised by TTIS for two consecutive years.  Maitrayee performed in many prestigious platforms of the country.

Anirban started learning flute from his father at the age of four and half, and gave his first public appearance at five in Pt Tanoy Bose's Kal Ke Kalakar programme. He is mainly taught by his father Sri Lokenath Roy, a disciple of Pt Debaprasad Banerjee and Pt Tajendra Narayan Majumder. He also got talim from the Sarod maestro Tejendranarayan Majumdar. 
Anirban got Master Madan Award from Suresh Wadekar ji's academy and got Nada Brahma Award. He received the Sri Shanmukhananda Bharat Ratna MS Subbulakshmi fellowship. Anirban performed on the same dias where the maestros like Pt Hari Prasad Chaurasia, Pt Kumar Bose, Pt Niladri Kumar, Vidushi Kaushiki Chakraborty etc. performed. They both have mesmerised audiences with some magical performances through all parts of India.

Tuhin Karmakar was born in Kolkata in 1976 and from a young age was fascinated by rhythm and music. In his youth he was very close to the Late Pandit Omprakash Mishra and Pandit Birju Maharaj who both had notable influence on these interests. He began training in tabla when he was 5, under the guidance of Sri Tushar Kanti Bose, a disciple of Pandit Gobindo Bose. Shortly after, he got talim from late Prafulla Roy who in turn got talim from late Pandit Nanku Maharaj. After that, he got talim from Sri Sandeep Chatterjee, a disciple of Pandit Swapan Choudhury. Now he studies under the talim of Pandit Swaraj Bhattacharyya, an eminent tabla player of Lucknow Gharana and performs with many renowned artists all over India. 

Sunday 31st January 

5-6:30pm

Learn about Hindustani Classical music associated with iconic pieces of Bengali, Marathi & Hindi literature, presented by Sumona Bhattacharya, Dr. Rucha Joshi & Manita Senn with HCM elaboration by Kuljit ji Saby and Palashree Roy

Sunday 25th October


​Zoom link sent directly to Patrons of the Society. Click here to join to continue to enjoy world class recitals and support us the MHCMS. 




Saturday 10th October


​Zoom link sent directly to Patrons of the Society. Click here to join to continue to enjoy world class recitals and support us the MHCMS. 



Picture

Saturday 12th September


Sugato Nag - Sitar

​Zoom link sent directly to Patrons of the Society. Click here to join to continue to enjoy world class recitals and support us the MHCMS. 

Born in a musical family of Kolkata, Pandit Sugato Nag is one of the finest Sitar virtuosi amongst the present generation. In today's fast-changing world of Indian classical music, Sugato represents a dwindling populace of learned musicians, having had systematic taleem (lessons) from some of the most respected purists of this art.
​Read this and more at www.sugatonag.com



Friday 17th July

Kuljit Singh Sangar - Vocal

​Zoom link sent directly to Patrons of the Society. Click here to join to continue to enjoy world class recitals and support us the MHCMS. 


Saturday 11th July

Debajoy Bhattacharya - Vocal

​Zoom link sent directly to Patrons of the Society. Click here to join to continue to enjoy world class recitals and support us the MHCMS. 


Saturday 27th June

Anupama Bhagwat - Sitar

​Zoom link sent directly to Patrons of the Society. Click here to join to continue to enjoy world class recitals and support us the MHCMS. 


Sunday 14th June

Indrani Mukherjee - Vocal

​Apurba Mukherjee - Tabla


​Zoom link sent directly to Patrons of the Society. Click here to join to continue to enjoy world class recitals and support us the MHCMS. 


Sunday 31st May

Conversations with Girijesh Kumar & Manisha Jain Sethi

​Zoom link sent directly to Patrons of the Society. Click here to join to continue to enjoy world class recitals and support us the MHCMS. 


Saturday 23rd May

Vidushi Meeta Pandit - Vocal

​Zoom link sent directly to Patrons of the Society. Click here to join to continue to enjoy world class recitals and support us the MHCMS. 


Saturday 16th May

Kaviraj Singh - Santoor & Vocal

​Zoom link sent directly to Patrons of the Society. Click here to join to continue to enjoy world class recitals and support us the MHCMS. 


History first: Live online Hindustani classical music


Saturday 28th March 2020

Dharambir , Kaviraj and Upneet Singh - Sitar

 Tribute to Ustad Vilayat Khan
Zoom link sent directly to Patrons
Click here to support the Society as a Patron

FESTIVAL

World class workshops and events

​4th-8th March 2020

MHCMS proudly presents the inaugural Melbourne International Festival of Hindustani Classical Music
listen to the PBS radio interview here
Buy tickets for individual events (listed below) or a season pass for entry to all five events
Season pass
Picture


Friday 6th March ​2020

Pt Rajendra Prasanna - Flute and Shehnai

Pt Abhijit Banerjee - Tabla

Vinod Prasanna - Flute

​


Mohindar Dhillon Memorial Recital

7:30-10:30 pm
tickets $40


Saturday 7th March ​2020


Pt Keshav Talegaonker - Vocal

Jay Dabgar - Tabla

Pratibha Talegaonker - Harmonium



Local artists
Bikram Singh Malhar - Vocal
Sangeet Mishra - Sarangi
Jay Dabgar - Tabla



Pt Raghunath Talegaonker Memorial Recital


2:00-5:00 pm
tickets $40

Saturday 7th March ​2020


Pt Sugato Nag - Sitar

Pt Abhijit Banerjee - Tabla

Local artists
Ranjitha Suresh - Vocal
Bobby Singh- Tabla
Prasad Karve - Harmonium



Meera Khanolkar Memorial Recital

7:30-10:30 pm
tickets $40

Sunday 8th March ​2020


Dr Vasanti Tembe - Vocal

Bobby Singh - Tabla

Prasad Karve - Harmonium

​Sangeet Mishra - Sarangi


Local artists
Saby Bhattacharya - Sarod
Jay Dabgar - Tabla


Pt Govindrao Tembe Memorial Recital

10:00 am- 1:00pm
tickets $40


Sunday 8th March ​2020


Vd Ashwini Bhide-Deshpande - Vocal

Pt Abhijit Banerjee - Tabla

Sangeet Mishra - Sarangi


Local artists
Dr Adrian McNeil - Sarod
​Bobby Singh - Tabla


Satyendra Misra Memorial Recital

7:30-10:30pm
tickets $40


Tabla Workshop

Thursday 5th March 2020


7:30-9pm

$25 per head


Learn the intricacies of classical Tabla from a master performer and teacher of the genre

Presented by
Pt Abhijit Banerjee

book now

WORKSHOPS


Basics of Hindustani Classical Music

Wednesday 4th March ​2020


7:30-9pm

​FREE


What is a raag? How is a bandish structured? How does the tabla fit in? 

Learn all this and more in a friendly and interactive workshop with live demonstrations



Presented by
Saurabh Mishra
Rahila Sarma


Vocal Workshop

Thursday 5th March 2020


7:30-9pm

$25 per head


Learn the intricacies of vocal classical from a master performer and teacher of the genre

Presented by
Pt Keshav Talegaonker


Sitar Workshop

Thursday 5th March 2020


7:30-9pm

$25 per head


Learn the intricacies of Sitar from a master performer and teacher of the genre

Presented by
Pt Sugato Nag

book now

Saturday 25th January 2020

Pramantha Tagore - Sarod

​Aman Kalyan - Tabla

Aman is a Melbourne based tabla player, and disciple of Ustad Tari Khan. He is the Creative Director and Founder of Lehra Studio, Raaga Studio and Tanpura Studio

Abbotsford Convent, Bishops Parlour- 7pm for a 7:30pm start

Tickets $10 per head (excluding MHCMS Patrons)
tickets
Picture

Sunday 3rd November 2019

Ujwal Nagar - Vocal

Pranav Ramji - Tabla


At Kew Courthouse 
6:30-8:30 pm
Tickets: 
$20 Adults
$18 Concession
(please note no Patron tickets available for this event)
​
tickets
Picture

Saturday 26th October 2019

Brajeshwar Mukherjee - Vocal

Jay Dabgar - Tabla

Vikram Malhar - Harmonium

At the home of an MHCMS Patron

22 Cheviot Road, Mt Waverley, From 7.30pm

Friday 11th October 2019

Nirali Kartik - Vocal

Jay Dabgar - Tabla

Shaugato Ghosh - Harmonium

Kew Courthouse 7:30pm

Tickets $25 (excluding MHCMS Patrons)
tickets

Sunday 29th September 2019

Dhananjay Hegde - Vocal

Pandurang Torvi - Tabla

Prasad Karve - ​Harmonium

A morning recital held at Kew Courthouse
9am-12 noon

Tickets $20 (excluding MHCMS Patrons)

Saturday 31st August 2019

Pt Bharat Bhushan Goswami - Sarangi

Abhi Garg - Tabla


At the home of one of our esteemed MHCMS Patrons
8 View Hill Road, North Balwyn
​7:30pm start

Donations at the door appreciated

Saturday 17th August 2019

Josh Feinberg - Sitar

Jay Dabgar- Tabla

Kew Courthouse 7:30pm start

Tickets $30 per head (excluding MHCMS Patrons)
tickets

Saturday 6th July 2019

Ronkini Gupta - Vocal

Pandurang Torvi - Tabla

Held in the JTA at MLC

Tickets $25 (excluding MHCMS Patrons)

More details to come

Saturday 8th June 2019

Iman Das - Vocal

Pranav Ramji - Tabla

Bhargav Sridhar- Harmonium

tickets
Held at Kew Courthouse

​Thank you for joining us for a night of classical vocal music featuring well-known vocalist Iman Das accompanied by Melbourne based musicians Bharghav Sridhar on Harmonium and Pranav Ramji on the Tabla. 

Iman Das is one of the best young representatives of the Patiala Gharana. He has learnt from maestro Pandit Ajoy Chakraborty of Patiala gharana and Shri Shantanu Bhattacharyya of the same gharana, he is currently under tutelage of Pandit Kalyan Basu, a direct disciple of Ustad Bade Ghulam Ali Khan Saheb. Teen saptak ka sapats and powerful Gamak taans are the particularly distinct features of Iman's khayals while his thumris bring tears to one's eyes. Iman received scholarships from Shri Aurobindo Ashram (Delhi) for Indian classical music. Received the “Sutanuti Samman” in 2004. First classical vocalist to be chosen as the honorary secretary of “MORE” (musical oasis for resurrection) under United Minds for Peace Society. He has performed all over India and abroad in Germany, the U.K, Belgium, Holland, Austria etc. Iman has recently released his own album known as 'Raag Rang' by Questz World which is available at all music stores.


Bhargav Sridhar is a student of music from the age of 9. For over 15 years, Bhargav has explored various strands of music, from Mozart and Beethoven on the keyboard, to Western Classical and Jazz ensemble playing on the Saxophone. In his teenage years in Australia, he was fortunate to be a part of Blackburn High Schools historic music program and successfully participated and won several state and nation-wide competitions in Symphonic and Big Band Jazz ensembles. Over the past decade, his primary focus has been working on developing Hindustani classical music on both the Harmonium and also the Saxophone. Bhargav is currently studying under the tutelage of Surmani Pt. Prabhakar Dhakde, a violin maestro and composer from the Patiala Gharana and a disciple of the legendary vocalist Pt. Jagdish Prasad. 

Pranav Ramji is one of Melbourne's best Tabla players and teachers. He is also pursuing Master's Degree in Accounting from University of Melbourne.


More information on Pt Iman Das
File Size: 3099 kb
File Type: pdf
Download File

Saturday 4th May 2019

Ranjitha Suresh - Vocal

Vinod Prasana - Flute

Pandurang Torvi - Tabla

Sangeet Mishra - Sarangi

Kew Courthouse 7:30 start

Tickets $20 per head (excluding MHCMS Patrons.)

get tickets

Sunday 21st April 2019

Parag Kaole - Violin

Sam Evans - Tabla

Radheyshyam Gupta - Sitar

​To be held at Kew Courthouse 
7:30- 10:30pm

Tickets $20 per head (excluding MHCMS Patrons.)
Further ticketing details to come
Picture

Sunday 3rd March 2019

Ustad Shahid Pervez - Sitar

Hindole Mazumdar - Tabla


The Society proudly presents a performance by one of the world's most esteemed artists. 
Ustad Shahid Parvez Khan descends from six generations of sitarists. He is one of the leading exponents of the Etawah Gharana, a musical tradition or "family" committed to this most famous of Indian instruments. He was trained by his father and guru, Ustad Aziz Khan. 
Read this information and more here. 


Hindole Mazumdar occupies a commendable position amongst the young tabla players of his generation. Inspired by his maternal grandfather, Late Sri Chittaranjan Roy, an ardent music lover, and his mother, Late Sunanda Majumdar, a teacher by profession and a Kathak dancer disciple of Pandit RamgopalMishra of the Jaipur gharana, Hindole started learning tabla at the tender age of 5.
Read this information and more here. 

​
James Tatoulis Auditorium at MLC Kew 
5-8pm

Tickets $50, $100 per head
Each ticket purchased is discounted $15 for MHCMS Patrons. 
Tickets here

Saturday 23rd February 2019

Aminul Haque - Vocal

Adrian Mcneil - Sarod

Pandurang Torvi - Tabla

Sugato Ghosh - Harmonium



Thank you for joining us at the Kew Courthouse for a two-parted performance featuring talented Melbourne-based artists.
​
Kew Courthouse
7:30-10:30pm

Tickets $20 per head, excluding MHCMS Patrons. 

Saturday 26th January 2019

Saby Bhattacharya - Sarod

Vinod Prasana - Flute

Bobby Singh - Tabla



Thank you for joining us for performance by a founding member of the Melbourne Hindustani Classical Music scene, and patron of the society, Saby Bhattacharya

The second half of the night will feature Vinod Prasana on the flute. 
Both performances will be accompanied by Bobby Singh on the tabla.

Held at Kew Courthouse
7:30-10:30pm

Saturday 24th November 2018

Soumya Chakraverty - Sarod


Join us at the home of one of our esteemed patrons for a night of Sarod. 
To be held at 21 Bareena Grove Doncaster East
​8-11pm

Donations at the door appreciated.

Picture

Friday 16th November 2018

Vidya Shah - Vocal

Bobby Singh - Tabla

​Prasad Karve - Harmonium


Join us at the home of one of our esteemed patrons for a night of Sarod. 
To be held at 22 Hilltop Avenue, Glen Iris
​8-11pm

Donations at the door appreciated.

Saturday 27th October 2018

Local Amateur Musicians

Join us for a night of beautiful performances, showcasing and celebrating amateur Melbourne-based artists. A debut format for the society, the night will feature performances by:
  • Neve Agaskar - Sitar
  • Arjun Rao - Flute
  • Prachi Gaindhar- Vocal
  • Saurabh Mishra - Vocal
  • Rahila Iqbal - Vocal
  • Atmaj Patel - Tabla
  • Sarang Majundar - Harmonium (accompaniment)

To be held at Kew Courthouse from 7:30-10:30pm
This is a FREE EVENT. Please come to support these amazing artists

Saturday 29th September 2018

Anupama Bhagwat- Sitar


Anupama Bhagwat is acclaimed world-wide with a repertoire of global performances since 1995, her sensitivity and erudition has taken her to the highest echelons of the modern genre. One of the leading disciples of Pandit Shri Bimalendu Mukherjee, doyen of the Imdadkhani Gharana, Anupama's style is characterized by scintillating fast taans, mastery of the meditative alaap, and brilliant fluency of melody (raaga-bhava), while remaining true to tradition. 
Read this information and more here
To be held at the Armagh Mansion
226 Kooyong Road Toorak
Tickets $40, excluding MHCMS Patrons

Sunday 16th September 2018

Vinod Prasana - Bansuri

Bobby Singh - Tabla

Sangeet Mishra - Sarangi

Thank you for joining us for an afternoon raga baithak performance of talented local musicians. 
Held at the home of an MHCMS Patron
​From 2-5pm
​

Donations at the door appreciated. 

Saturday 25th August 2018

David Balaban- Sitar

Venkat Narayanan​ - Tabla

Anand Thakore - Mandolin Tabla


Join us for a two-parted performance of talented local musicians.
​To be held at Kew Courthouse from 7:30- 10:30pm,
​Tickets $20, excluding MHCMS Patrons. 
Get Tickets

Saturday 28th July 2018

Meenal Datar - Vocal

Pandurang Torvi - Tabla

Prasad Karve - Harmonium


Held at the home of an MHCMS Patron, thank you to those who donated for the ongoing prosperity of our society. 

Saturday 16th June 2018

Shantanu Bhattacharya- Vocal

Bobby Singh- Tabla

Manbir Singh- Harmonium


Thank you to those who joined us at the Kew Courthouse for an much anticipated performance of talented musicians

Held at Kew Courthouse from 8-11pm

Picture

Saturday 26th May 2018

Ramneek Singh- Vocal

Bobby Singh- Tabla

Bikram Singh Malhar- Harmonium


Ramneek Singh was introduced to Hindustani Classical music at a very young age and has completed a Sangeet Visharad. She has performed in many places across India and North America. She is an accomplished singer and teacher of Hindustani Classical Music in the Indore Gharana. 
See this information and more about Ramneek Singh
 
Bobby Singh is a disciple of the celebrated Aneesh Pradhan and is one of the most sought-after musicians on the Australian world music circuit. 
See this information and more about Bobby Singh

Held at the home of an MHCMS Patron

Friday 16th March 2018

Dr. Adrian McNeil- Sarod

Pt Abhijit Bannerjee- Tabla


Adrian is a Senior Lecturer at Monash University, and an exceptional Sarod player, having learnt his craft over many years in a guru-shishya parampara with late Pandit Ashok Roy, himself a senior disciple of the legendary Ustad Ali Akbar Khan.
More about Dr. Adrian McNeil

Considered among the top class of tabla players from India, Abhijit Banerjee is one of the most sought after creative artists in the realm of Indian classical music. Abhijit has crafted a unique style and creative approach which has brought him accolades and awards throughout the world. He is known for his sensitivity,skill and deep sense of musicality.
See this information and more here. 

To be held in Flockhart Hall, MLC Kew, 8-11pm
Tickets-$40 per head (excluding MHCMS Patrons)
additional ticketing information to come

Saturday 10th March 2018

Kasturi Datar Atrawalkar- Vocal

Kasturi Datar Atrawalkar is a Classical vocalist with an exceptional talent inherited from the Gwalior-Kirana Gharana. Her clear, beautiful voice and intelligent artistry bring colorful interpretations with a wide range. Her keen sense in grasping musical nuances was experienced in her family with rich musical heritage. Since her early childhood, Kasturi had enriched guidance from her mother Smt. Suvarna Datar, an All India Radio vocalist of Gwalior Gharana.
Kasturi is a disciple of Pt. Vinayak Torvi, the great maestro of Gwalior_Kirana Gharana from Bangalore. She is rigorously perusing the Gharana Gayaki from her guruji who has nurtured India's rich heritage of Hindustani Classical Music. During her chase for acquiring the best of Gharana Gayaki, Kasturi got an opportunity to learn the intricacy of Gwalior Gharana from late ‘Pt. Balasaheb Poonchwale’ a Doyen of Gwalior Gharana.
See this information and more here. 

To be held at Kew Courthouse
get your tickets now

Saturday 24th February 2018

Ustad Ghulam Abbas Khan- Vocal

One of the prominent vocalists of India, Ustad Ghulam Abbas Khan belongs to the Rampur-Sahaswan Gharana which owes its allegiance to Miyan Tansen's tradition. He was initiated into music at a tender age by his grandfather, the late Ustad Ghulam Jafar Khan, a well-known Sarangi player. Later, he continued his training under the worthy guidance of his father Padmashri Ustad Ghulam Sadiq Khan. 
See more about Ustad Ghulam Abbas Khan here. 

To be held at the home of an MHCMS Patron
10 Montrose St, Oakleigh South, VIC

Wednesday 27th December 2017

Yuki Kaneko- Violin
​
Tetsuya Kaneko-Pakhavaj

Thank you for joining us for a melodious Dhrupad performance by Japanese artists Yuki and Tetsuya. 
Yuki Kaneko is an Indian style violinist. She started her music career as a guitarist and released two albums with the bad Floating Flower with Makoto Kawabata (Acid Mothers Temple) and Tetsuya in the late 90's.
She started to learn violin techniques in the Indian style as a beginner from Dr. Mohanty in 2001, and later learned Hindustani music from Dr. N Rajam in India. 
She has been learning Carnatic music from Dr. L Subramaniam since 2008. 
Yuki has played a Mahotsav concert with the Tokyo Hasegawa (Taj Mahal Travellers) group in India in 2014. She also played in the Asian Indian Festival in Taiwan in both 2015 and 2016. 
Yuki relased a live album 'Mythos' in 2016. She performed solo in a European tour with an electric violin in 2016-2017.
In addition to Indian music, Yuki plays a variety of styles using electric violin, synthesizer and laptop. 

Tetsuya is a player of the most ancient percussion instrument in India, the pakhawaj, which is played in the oldest style of North Indian Classical music, Dhrupad. He started to learn in 2000 under Pt. Srikant Mishra, a celebrated pakhawaj artist who played with a great many Dhrupad musicians in his life. 
Tetsuya has played pakhawaj as both a solo artist and accompanist every year since 2002 as the Dhrupad Mela, the biggest Dhrupad festival, held in annually in Varanasi. He was awarded the Gold Medal in 2004. 
Now, Tetsuya performs around India with great Dhrupad Musicians. 
In Japan, he plays actively as the only pakhawaj players and is always trying to play with musicians of all kinds of genres. 
Picture
Picture

Saturday 25th November 2017

Bikram Malhar- vocal

Nicolas Buff-saxophone  

Bikram Malhar is a respected Melbourne based performer and teacher of Hindustani classical music. Uniquely steeped in the musical lineage of two Gharanas (Gwalior and Punjab), Bikram effortlessly brings a powerful rhythmic element in his performances. In addition to a Masters degree, 2 Sangeet Visharads (vocal and Tabla) and a further diploma in music, Bikram has been blessed by a musical heritage that includes legends of Hindustani classical music such as Pandit Vishnu Digambar Paluskar, Pandit Omkarnath Thakur and Pandit Vinayak Rao Patvardhan.
​
Nicholas Buff aims to create music spontaneously, to be in the moment, thoughtless, in meditation. But, it takes practice to be able to play freely in raag and taal. In the 1990s, it was through Sahaja Yoga Meditation that Nicolas travelled to Nagpur to learn Indian classical music. He was initiated into the guru-shishya parampara by Pt Prabhakar Dhakde and spent four years studying supported by an Indian Council for Cultural Relations grant. Nicolas is a jazz graduate from the Conservatorium of Music, University of Sydney and gained a Master of Arts (Honours) from the University of Western Sydney for research into Indian classical music. He performs at various community music events in Melbourne with Tihai3. Always seeking to learn, Nicolas is currently studying with Pandit Sugato Nag.


To be held at Kew Courthouse, High Street, Kew- 7:30 for an 8pm start
Tickets $20 per head (excluding MHCMS patrons)
Purchase your tickets here
Picture

Friday 6th October 2017

Dattatreya Velankar- vocal

Born to a prominent musical family in India, Dattatreya has been involved with the Hindustani Classical vocal, and instrumental arts for a long time. He is a very talented musician and has authored a number of books as well as a blog on Hindustani Classical Music.
 
Find out more about the artist
​
Venue: ​Taori residence, 54 Viewgrand Rise, Lysterfield

Saturday 23rd September 2017

Shri Dharmabir Singh (MBE)- Sitar

A prominent and internationally acclaimed London based Sitar player and teacher. One of the senior disciples of the legendary Maestro, Ustad Vilayat Khan
Find out more about the artist

Hosted by an MHCMS Patron,​ 58 Iona Street Blackrock
​
Tickets $35 per person, excluding Patrons. 

Saturday 26th August 2017

Smt Sunita Tikare- Vocal

An outstandingly melodious vocalist of the Jaipur-Atrauli Gharana. trained by the legendary Smt Kishori Amonkar
​Find out more about the artist 


Hosted by an MHCMS Patron

Sunday 13th August 2017

​Rahul Bhattacharya (Sarod),Vinod Prasanna(Bansuri)

Thank you for joining us for a morning of music, featuring talented Melbourne-based musicians.

Sabyasachi Bhattacharya on Sarod, who has learnt his difficult craft from the best of contemporary Hindustani classical music masters - Ustad Amjad Ali Khan, Ustad Shahid Parvez and Pandit Sugato Nag.

Vinod Prasanna was born into one of India's greatest flute-playing families, He specialises in both traditional and contemporary styles of Hindistani music. Vinod's emotive melodies, exquisite improvisations and divine flute song distinguish his performance of Indian classicla, world and meditation music. 

Amit Agarkar is a passionate Melbourne based tabla player who he has been learning and perfecting the art for a number of years. Amit grew up and first learnt the tabla in his hometown of Pune, Maharashtra. 

Friday 2nd June 2017

Shri Sugato Nag -Sitar

The crowd was mesmerized by the performance given by one of India’s most talented and well regarded Sitar players. Shri Sugato Nag plays in the style of the Etawah and Senia-Shahjahanpore gharanas. 
Find out more about the artist

Held at Methodist Ladies' College, Kew. 

​

Saturday May 27th

Professor Sugato Marijit -Vocal

 A talented classical vocalist from Kolkata with impeccable "taleem" (tutelage) from authentic classical masters, and a glittering international concert career. Also an elite economist, academic, and past Vice Chancellor of the prestigious University of Calcutta
Find out more about the artist


Saturday 6th May 2017

Smt Saniya Patankar-Kulkarni -Vocal

A brilliant singer from Pune, and a senior disciple of the legendary Dr. Ashwini Bhide-Deshpande.  Has been invited to sing at most of the major Indian Hindustani classical music concerts
Find out more about the artist



Friday 24th March 2017

Ustad Aminul Haq-Vocal & Shri Radhey Shyam Gupta -Sitar

 
A wonderful classical concert as two Highly skilled and melodious Melbourne based Hindustani classical music performers and teachers came together to perform at the Kew Court House. They are both highly knowledgeable and passionate about the music form.
Find out more about Radhey Shyam Ji




7th January 2017

Dr. Adrian McNeil- Sarod
​
accompanied by Aman Kalyan- Tabla

​Adrian is a Senior Lecturer at Monash University, and an exceptional Sarod player, having learnt his craft over many years in a guru-shishya parampara with late Pandit Ashok Roy, himself a senior disciple of the legendary Ustad Ali Akbar Khan.
All in attendance thougroughly enjoyed the performance. Adrian took us on a journey, exploring raag Jhinjoti and finishing with his own guru's composition in raag Bhairavi. The ambience of this invite-only event, held at the private residence of one of our founders was great and appreciated by all. 

12th November 2016

Poly Varghese-Mohan Veena

​accompanied by Pandurang Torvi-Tabla

Picture
The Mohan Veena was first conceptualised by Poly's Guru Vishwa Mohan Bhatt. This concert was held at the private residence of an MHCMS Patron and promoted through Facebook. Guests were captivated by Poly's passion, dedication and knowledge of the Mohan Veena. 

29th October 2016

Pt Shantanu Bhattacharya- vocal 

accompanied by Ranbir Singh- Tabla 

Manbir Singh- Harmonium & backup vocal

Inderpreet  Singh- backup vocal



Picture
The audience was immediately captivated by Shantanu Ji's skill and dedication. This program held at the residence of one of our founders was certainly a night to remember. Shantanu Ji was brought to Australia by Mehfil, a Sydney-based non-for-profit that aims to promote Hindustani Classical Music in Sydney. Accompanied by a few of his diciples, this was a masterful display of Hindustani vocal music on the eve of Diwali 2016. 

Home

About Hindustani Music

Join

Past Events

Contact

Copyright © 2017
Photos from Fulvio Spada edenpictures
  • Home
  • About
    • the music
    • the team
    • Patrons of the society
    • Local Artists
  • Join
  • Past Events
  • contact
  • News