An evening of Raagas, Moods and Mindfulness: Music Vruksh Baithak 2024 Enthrals South Mumbai

 The Music Vruksh Baithak 2024 was recently held at the prestigious YB Chavan, Rangaswar Auditorium, Mantralaya, Mumbai. This event celebrated the rich tradition of Indian classical music through performances by Ms Nithya Rajendran, providing a rich exposure to classical music to a diverse audience set. The event also hosted performances by the team and students of Music Vruksh Academy. The event was graced by the presence of Chief Guest Shri A.K. Purwar, Ex-Chairman of State Bank of India, and family.

Music Vruksh is dedicated to promoting music awareness and mindfulness, aiming to spread love and passion for Indian Classical Music. The platform offers concerts, demonstrations, workshops as well as online and offline classical music enrichment sessions for corporates, adults and children. Attendees and students from Mumbai, other parts of India, and from countries like the USA, UK, and UAE have benefitted from Music Vruksh’s comprehensive programs.

The evening commenced with an introduction by the compere, highlighting Nithya Rajendran’s vision and the philosophy underlying Music Vruksh. The compere elaborated on Nithya’s classical music journey across both the Hindustani and Carnatic styles, and Music Vruksh’s inclusive mission to demystify classical music and make it relatable to a wider audience.

Following the introduction, Nithya Rajendran captivated the audience with a solo performance that showcased Raagas in an innovative, interactive format. The audience experienced the same Raaga and its personality across three styles – Hindustani, Carnatic, and Bollywood. Next, Nithya performed with her Music Vruksh singing team, comprising Kaustubh More, Yojana Palsule Desai, and Srushti Kulkarni. This segment included Nithya’s original tarana composition and her unique take on Raag Yaman, which infused Western harmonies and Carnatic music elements.

The event continued with speeches from sponsors Ashani Hirway, Head of Da Vinci Montessori School, and Dr. Varsha Patil of The Blessings Wellness Clinic, acknowledging the event’s impact and significance. Attended by 200 people, the event drew a diverse crowd across ages and professions, including bankers, artists, entrepreneurs, doctors, educational heads, and children.

The highlight of the Baithak was the performances by Music Vruksh students, ranging in age from 7 to 65 years. The students presented advanced-level Bada Khyal compositions and performed various Raagas such as Raag Puriya Dhanashree, Durga, Komal Dhaivat Vibhaas, and Bilaskhani Todi. A music quiz conducted by student Arundati Venkatesh jogged the audience’s memory about the Raagas, adding an interactive element to the evening.

The event concluded with a heartfelt vote of thanks from Nithya Rajendran, who expressed her gratitude to her team including the admin head of Music Vruksh, Ms. Sherebeth Pereira and the audiences.