Have you heard of Gondhal, a traditional Maharashtrian folk form? “Eighty-one-year-old Narayan Ji Dhongade will be performing this art form at a Mumbai venue as part of the festival. He has dedicated his life to this form. His 13-year-old granddaughter, Vaishali Dhongade, plays the sambal, a musical instrument that is usually played only by men. There’s also Bhiklya Ladkya Dhinda, one of the last surviving tarpa players from Walvanda in Jawhar, Maharashtra. The tarpa — a haunting wind instrument —isn’t used for solo performances but is very powerful. It’s a bit like the nad from Rajasthan,” explains Nandini Mahesh, director, Banyan Tree Events that is organising Ruhaniyat, a two-day musical event that will feature such unique performances.

“When artists who live in remote parts of India find appreciation in metros like Mumbai, it fills them with so much pride for their respective instruments. Our heritage is powerful, and it needs to be brought to the forefront,” she adds.