Two-day musical treat brings classical and devotional music to Hyderabad

It has been nearly a decade since Thane-based classical and Baul musician Uttara Chousalkar last performed in Hyderabad. Understandably, she is elated to return for two concerts in the city. Organised by Tatvaa Arts, the programmes — Swar Sandhya and a morning concert as part of the Gayan Seva Series on September 20 and 21 — will also feature Rahul Deshpande (harmonium) and Thakur Harjeet Singh (tabla). Her visit is made more special as she marks her 55th birthday among Hyderabad’s classical music connoisseurs.

Venue’s role

Uttara during a Baul performance
| Photo Credit:
Special Arrangement

The 90-minute recitals remain rooted in the classical tradition. On September 20, she will present a blend of classical and light classical compositions such as bhajans, thumrisand dadras. The following morning, at Samsthan Shri Bhatji Bapu Maharaj, her performance will highlight the devotional side of classical music. “The venue often guides what an artiste performs,” she explains. “We are here to make the audience happy, not to display our scholarship. Ranjayate iti raga — a Sanskrit phrase meaning ‘that which colours the mind at the deepest level is a raga’. If I don’t move the listener, what’s the point?”

Interest in classical music

classical treat
| Photo Credit:
Special Arrangement

The audience at her concerts in India and abroad has changed notably. “There is a growing interest among the younger generation. Twenty years ago, most of my audience comprised middle-aged or senior listeners. Now, people from varied age groups attend. I even get responses to my posts on Instagram. The young ask if my music is available online. When they discover a concert, they listen, and if they find the artiste interesting, they come in person.”

In her nearly four-decade career in classical music, Uttara has never compromised by singing film songs to connect with younger audiences. Instead, she uses examples that link cinema and classical music during her lecture-demonstrations. These combine practical insights with listening exercises — tracing how old Hindi film songs from the black-and-white era were based on specific ragas, and offering fresh ways to understand them.

As a teacher, she brings the same accessibility to her students. “Classical compositions are traditional and often explore themes such as Hari Bhakti, which a child may not grasp. But if we speak of sparrows, birds or animals, the child engages instantly.” Along with writing children’s verse, she also composes music for Hindi poems. . For instance, she set the poem Chidiya kehti kut kut kut, dedo mujhko do biskut, bhookhi hoon mein khaongi, kha pi kar ud jaongi in Raag Bhairav. “When I sing this poem alongside a classical composition in the same raga, the child relates to the words and sounds. Later, when they hear another piece in Raag Bhairav, they say, ‘It sounded like Chidiya kehti…’.”

Tryst with Baul

During a Baul performance
| Photo Credit:
Special Arrangement

Uttara has also carved a niche as the first person from Maharashtra to learn baul music. She began training in the tradition at 40 and has been performing for 15 years now. “It’s a complete performance where I am the musician, singer and storyteller—using multiple instruments while singing and dancing at the same time,” she explains.

Initially, it took her some time to transition between two very different genres — classical and baul. But now, she says with a smile, all it takes is strapping on the instruments and anklets, and she can step into the new role in a jiffy.

Uttara Chousalkar’s concerts – Swar Sanghya and Morning Raga – Gayan Seva Series at Badruka College of Music and Dance and Samsthan Shri Bhatji Bapu Maharaj on September 21 and 22 at 6 30 pm and 7 am; Entry free