149th Harivallabh Sangeet Sammelan to be dedicated to Ustad Zakir Hussain

The 149th Shree Baba Harivallabh Sangeet Sammelan, the world’s oldest tradition of Hindustani Classical music, will be dedicated to the late Ustad Zakir Hussain, the Shri Baba Harivallabh Sangeet Mahasabha announced today. This iconic festival, which has been held annually for 149 years in Jalandhar, will take place from December 27 to 29 on the premises of Shri Devi Talab Mandir, located on the banks of Devi Talab in Jalandhar.

This year’s festival will feature a distinguished line-up of artistes, including Pt. Tejendra Narayan Majumdar and Pt. Kumar Bose, and Viraj Joshi, the grandson of the legendary Pt. Bhimsen Joshi, who will perform vocal renditions. The festival will also showcase a tabla and mrigandam jugalbandi with Pt. Abhishek Mishra (Tabla) and Pt. Peravali Jaya Bhaskar (Mrigandam), as well as a pakhwaj recital by the duo Prashant Kumar and Nishant Kumar Mallick.

The three-day Sangeet Sammelan will be preceded by the ‘Harivallabh Sangeet Pratiyogita,’ a music competition to be held from December 23 to 26.

Purnima Beri, President of the Shri Baba Harivallabh Sangeet Mahasabha, expressed deep sorrow over the passing of Ustad Zakir Hussain, noting, “It is with heavy hearts that we dedicate this year’s festival to the late Ustad Zakir Hussain, who was an integral part of the Harivallabh family. His breath-taking recitals have left a lasting impact, and his loss is irreplaceable.” The festival will begin with a tabla recital in his honour.

Beri also highlighted the significance of this year’s lineup, noting that Pt. Kumar Bose will perform at the Harivallabh stage for the first time, both in Jalandhar and in Punjab. “We have long wanted to invite him,” Beri said.

Meanwhile, Beri lamented the absence of financial support from political parties and the state government. “We did not receive any significant budget from political parties last year, nor have we received any funding from the state’s Department of Culture and Tourism this year,” she said.

Typically, a budget of Rs 30 lakh is allocated annually by the state for the festival, but this year, the Mahasabha had to rely on contributions from local patrons and donors in Jalandhar to organise the event.