Four aspiring musicians at the Sawai Gandharv festival reinforce the faith that classical music is alive and kicking in the city

Performing at the prestigious Sawai Gandharv stage is a dream several aspiring musicians nurture in their hearts. And for many singers, artists and musicians, trained in classical music, just being at the annual music festival is an all-time high.

And why not, even Zakir Hussain performed at the Sawai stage with his father when he was just 12.

The 57th Sawai Gandharv Music Festival, which began yesterday, witnessed a crowd of 8,000 music lovers. For naysayers who claim that classical music is on the decline, nearly 30 per cent of the audience at the Ramanbaug New English School ground was between the age group of 20-30 years.

"We are happy that the proportion of young listeners is going up," said Shrikant Deshpande, Executive Secretary of the festival.