Bhimaanjali 2025 marks a decade of pre-dawn Indian classical music, uniting maestros in tribute to Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar.
Bhimaanjali 2025
The tenth annual Bhimaanjali, a pre‑dawn congregation of Indian classical music dedicated to the memory and ideals of Bharatratna Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar, assembles an extraordinary roster of artists for Bhimaanjali 2025. Over a decade the festival has become known for its contemplative rāga unfoldings, extended ālāp and delicately responsive rhythmic support; this milestone edition both honors that legacy and reaffirms the festival’s commitment to artistic excellence and the inclusive, democratic values espoused by Dr. Ambedkar.
At the heart of this year’s programme is a stellar ensemble of maestros who bring to the Bhimaanjali stage distinct lineages, techniques and creative sensibilities. Ustad Shujaat Husain Khan, a seventh‑generation exponent of the Imdadkhani (Etawah) gharana, will offer his signature gayaki ang on the sitar: voice‑like ālāps and nuanced improvisations that seek to bridge the expressive continuity between vocal and instrumental traditions. Pandit Rajendra Prasanna, of the Benaras gharana, brings the rare dual mastery of bansuri and shehnai; his lyrical phrasing and timbral contrasts promise to deepen the meditative atmosphere while lending moments of soulful celebration. Pandit Atul Kumar Upadhye, founder of the Upadhye Violin Academy and the SwaraZankar Music Festival, is noted for blending Indian and Western violin techniques and for pioneering right‑hand methods and dual tuning styles; his contribution this year will expand the rāga canvas with rich textural and harmonic nuances that converse across musical idioms. From the Carnatic tradition, Pandit Sridar Parthasarathy - both a vocalist and mridangam virtuoso - will provide rhythmic sophistication and cross‑genre sensitivity, his percussional dialogues informed by collaborations that span from classical to contemporary ensembles. Rounding the ensemble is Pandit Mukesh Jadhav, a seasoned tabla maestro and guru whose attentive accompaniment and solo artistry will shape the rhythmic contours that support and elevate the melodic explorations of the lead artists.
Bhimaanjali 2025 thus promises not only a sequence of individual masterly performances but a woven musical experience in which melody and rhythm engage in quiet, powerful conversation. The programme’s sustained ālāp sections and sensitive tempo transitions are designed to preserve the festival’s defining pre‑dawn spirit: a shared space for reflection, remembrance and reverence through sound.
This year’s gathering is also a continuation of a ten‑year tradition that has welcomed some of Indian classical music’s most celebrated names. Past editions have been graced by luminaries including Pandit Hariprasad Chaurasia, Dilshad Khan, Ustad Shahid Parvez, Pandit Vishwa Mohan Bhatt, Pandit Ronu Majumdar, Rakesh Chaurasia, Rupak Kulkarni, Sabir Khan, Ustad Sultan Khan, Abhay Sopori, Dr. N. Rajam, Pandit Nayan Ghosh, Dr. Sangita Shankar and many others. Each artist has contributed a unique musical homage to Dr. Ambedkar, helping to shape Bhimaanjali’s reputation as a singular forum for contemplative classical performance and intergenerational transmission of tradition.
Bhimaanjali 2025 is presented by the Rashtranirmata Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar Vicharak Samiti, which has organised the festival with the intention of fostering an inclusive cultural space where music can express and reinforce the values of equality, dignity and collective remembrance. Reflecting on this tenth edition, Dr. Vijay Kadam, Chairman of the Rashtranirmata Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar Vicharak Samiti, said: “Bhimaanjali is more than a concert series - it is a living tribute to the ideals Dr. Ambedkar stood for. By bringing together artists from diverse gharanas and generations, we celebrate the unifying power of music to inspire reflection, dialogue and social harmony. This decade‑long journey honors tradition while opening pathways for creative exchange and renewed commitment to our shared values.”
As Bhimaanjali 2025 unfolds, audiences can expect an immersive, contemplative experience in which the timeless grammar of Indian classical music becomes a vehicle for collective homage - quiet, profound and redolent with the spirit of remembrance.
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