Celebrate India's folk music traditions at this monsoon-themed concert in Mumbai

Avanti Patel (in purple blouse) interacts with musicians during a recording session of the second album. PICS COURTESY/AVANTI PATEL

There are songs that arrive with the rain, carrying longing, nostalgia, and remembrance of a land drenched in monsoon. O Gaanewali: A Monsoon Special follows these sounds through the folk traditions of Uttar Pradesh and Bihar, bringing together Sawan, Kajari and Jhoola, along with Thumri, Dadra and Ghazal in a repertoire spanning Bhojpuri, Awadhi, Maithili, and Braj Bhasha.

Written and curated by Avanti Patel, the 87th edition of the show continues O Gaanewali's larger exploration of Tawaifs whose artistry shaped musical traditions even as their contributions have often been overlooked. Here, the history sits alongside the music, allowing music enthusiasts to discover the context without taking away the richness of these forms.

Avanti Patel

For Patel, making history accessible does not mean simplifying it. "As an artiste and a writer, I am taking the liberty of making a vast subject slightly more reachable, and understanding for the audience," she explains.

The music may offer listeners an unexpected sense of familiarity. "You might not have heard the song but you will wonder, ‘Oh, I have heard this tune somewhere?,'" Patel says. Many of these folk melodies have travelled into popular music today, making their contours familiar even when their original forms are not.

She elaborates that Kajari, in particular, goes beyond songs of rain and separation, often becoming a vehicle for politics and social concerns. The show explores these nuances while retaining their character.

The experience continues with O Gaanewali Session 2, a new album on streaming platforms. The album has been recorded and filmed in one take, and uses a binaural microphone to create an immersive audio-visual experience, allowing listeners to experience the music from home.

ON September 11; 7 pm onwards
AT Aditya Birla Theatre, Dadi Seth Road, Babulnath.
LOG ON TO in.bookmyshow.com
ENTRY Rs 500 onwards