Soul Strings

FROM AUGUST 22 TO 24, 2025, a remarkable festival of music will be held at the ITC Park in Goa called Malhar, a festival celebrating the music, arts and crafts, but more importantly to my mind, the soul of India. And it is events such as these that draw me to the conclusion that all is still well in our country qua culture. Omar Haider, a stalwart for as long as I can remember, having known him from my Kolkata days, is the impresario and organiser.

This is not a plug for either Omar Haider or Malhar, but meant to draw attention to the sensitivity that corporations need today. And nothing warms my heart more than the fact that ITC (which very few people in today’s India know continues to support and fund the Sangeet Research Academy) will be the sponsor of this festival. The fact that some of India’s most prolific singers, musicians, performers will be at this residential festival harks well for our country.

But it also throws up a few questions. Why are we not creating cultural destinations using Indian culture as the driver across our country? I remember growing up in Kolkata where we had, by appointment, festivals across the year. Whether it was the Dover Lane Music Conference or, for that matter, the Baruari Pujas, witnessed during the Pujas, and they rejuvenated both mind and soul because it was important for people to know the legacy they belonged to, the inheritance they carried and the future of culture and how culture can actually impact the soul of a country.

Malhar is only one great example of what private initiative can do without government support. But then, can you imagine if the government supported this and, using both government clout and private enterprise, you created a marketing machine which then talked about the Malhars of the world across the globe and invited people to participate, soak in, imbibe, and immerse themselves in the beauty of what Indian culture holds?

The bigger role that people must play, to my mind, is in actually advancing the intricacies of India’s culture and what we have to offer to the world. Bringing a festival such as Malhar together also is a great unifier. It highlights the various karanas, it highlights the legacies we are existing with, and it showcases the merits of such high-value, high-octane performances you would otherwise not be able to see in one location at one time with your loved ones.

For me, Malhar is only a representative of what should be done and what can be done. The fact that ITC is sponsoring this for the second time is a great sign, and I’m glad that a person like Sanjiv Puri, ITC chairman, has taken it upon himself to ensure that this festival happens and is a huge hit. Add to that Anil Chadha, managing director of ITC Hotels, who is personally involved along with Omar and his team. This makes for people gathering there a remarkable opportunity not only to mingle with some of the greatest artists of India but also to understand the dichotomies and yet unifying factors that are part and parcel of India’s culture.

More power to the Malhars but here is a sincere appeal to governments, whether at the Centre or in the states: encourage more such festivals. Put money behind them because there are only two things that will bind India and that will make India grow. One is culture and the other is sport. And if you don’t do this now, no time will be more appropriate. Because when we talk about being the world’s fourth-largest economy, and coming closer to a $4 trillion economy, we need to pause and see if our soul is still centred and if our mind is still anchored.

culturefestivalsinheritanceMalhar at the seamusic