45th Saptak Music Festival Opens With Emotional Tributes To Manju Mehta And Zakir Hussain

The 45th Saptak Music Festival in Gujarat commenced its 13-day celebration of India's classical music heritage with a deeply emotional first day. Held at the LD Arts College campus, the festival paid heartfelt tributes to two monumental figures lost this year: Manju Mehta, co-founder of the Saptak School of Music, and the legendary tabla maestro, Ustad Zakir Hussain.

Manju Mehta, who passed away in August, left an indelible mark on the festival and its community. Her legacy was poignantly honored during the inaugural session, where an ensemble led by her daughter, Nandan Mehta, performed a heartfelt tribute featuring Saptak’s students.

This act symbolized the passing of the torch, ensuring her vision continues to resonate.

Ustad Zakir Hussain, who passed in December, was also deeply missed. His unforgettable performances at Saptak remain etched in the hearts of attendees. The sense of loss was palpable throughout the festival.

Renowned vocalist Padma Vibhushan Parveen Sultana shared an emotional tribute, recalling the warmth and hospitality with which Manju Mehta greeted her at every festival. Fighting back tears, she performed two compositions in Raga Maluha Mand, her sorrow evident in her moving renditions, accompanied by Pandit Mukund Raj Deo on tabla and Srinivas Acharya on harmonium.

The evening also featured a captivating jugalbandi between sitar maestro Purvayan Chatterjee and tabla artist Shubh Maharaj, whose interplay celebrated the harmony of seemingly distinct instruments.

Veteran instrumentalist Vishwa Mohan Bhatt reflected on the contributions of the Mehta family, particularly Manju Mehta’s vibrancy and dedication to music. “I miss her,” he said softly, his sentiment shared by all in attendance.

The Saptak Music Festival, marked by its blend of tradition and innovation, opened this year with a poignant reminder of music’s power to unite, heal, and honor those we’ve lost.