Bhubaneswar: The 2026 Rajarani Music Festival continued its celebration of classical heritage on January 17, with an evening that brought together the distinct musical landscapes of South and North India.
Organized by the Odia Language, Literature and Culture Department in partnership with the Odisha Sangita Natak Akademi, the second night of the festival featured performances that resonated through the historic, 11th-century Rajarani temple complex.
While the Music Festival scripting astounding success, it is Dr. Bijay Ketan Upadhyay, Secretary of the Odia Language, Literature and Culture, whose meticulous strategy, planning and an effective crowd management implementation plan has been attributed for this achievement.
The program opened with a Carnatic vocal performance by Sumithra Vasudev from Chennai. Known for her adherence to classicism and the guidance of her guru, Sangita Kalanidhi R. Vedavalli, Vasudev presented a repertoire that explored the intricate nuances of Ragas and Talas.
Her set included a rendition of Rag Kanada set to Tala Misrachapu, characterized by high-octave passages that captivated the gathered music enthusiasts. She was accompanied by a skilled ensemble consisting of K. Arun Prakash on Mridangum, L. Ramakrishnan on Violin, and Chandra Sekhar on Ghatam.
The second phase of the evening transitioned to the instrumental traditions of the North with Santoor maestro Pandit Abhay Rustum Sopori. Representing the 300-year-old Sopori-Sufiana Gharana of Kashmir, Sopori utilized his performance to revive traditional Sufiana compositions. His approach blended melody and rhythm into a soothing presentation that highlighted the spiritual resonance of the 100-stringed instrument. Joining him on stage were Rishi Shankar Upadhyay on Pakhawaj, Ujith Uday Kumar on Tabla, and Varun Rajasekharan on Ghatam.
The evening’s atmosphere was further enhanced by the venue’s decor, which featured colorful lighting and traditional appliqué work that complemented the temple’s sandstone carvings. Among the dignitaries in attendance were Dr. Bijay Ketan Upadhyay, Secretary of the Odia Language, Literature and Culture Department; Professor Aparna Sopori; Guru Dhaneswar Swain; and Dr. Chandrasekhar Hota, Secretary of the Odisha Sangita Natak Akademi. The festival continues to serve as a cultural bridge, drawing both local audiences and tourists to Bhubaneswar to experience the confluence of India’s diverse classical traditions.