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.