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By Staff Reporter
NEW YORK (TIP) : A serene and soulful evening of Indian classical music unfolded at the Hindu Center on Kissena Boulevard, Flushing, on Sunday, November 23, 2025, as the Sriniketan Foundation presented “A Divine Evening of Classical Music and Cultural Legacy.” Organized by the Foundation’s Founder and President, Vidushi Purnima Desai, the concert brought together acclaimed artists and an appreciative audience for a memorable cultural experience.
The event opened with a devotional prayer by young students Parth, Pihu and Sonali, whose disciplined performance set a reverent tone for the evening. This was followed by a stirring rendition of Vande Mataram, the iconic ode to the motherland penned by Bankim Chandra Chatterji. The piece, rendered by Raj Dhingra, moved the audience to rise in collective respect, creating an atmosphere of solemn dignity that paved the way for the classical presentations to follow.
The first major performance of the evening featured noted vocalist Vidushi Kasturi Bandopadhyay, who presented bhajans and semi-classical compositions including thumri and dadra. Drawing from ragas such as Kafi and Khamaj, she offered a delicate blend of grace, emotion and technical finesse. Her evocative interpretation and expressive voice held the audience spellbound.
A highlight of the program was the sitar–sarod jugalbandi by Supratik Sengupta and Soumya Chakravarty. Performing Raag Rageshwari set to the 10-beat Jhaptal, the two instrumentalists engaged in a dynamic musical dialogue. Their interplay—at times competitive, at times complementary—produced a vibrant tapestry of melody, showcasing the depth of Indian classical string traditions.
Providing sensitive support throughout the evening, harmonium artist Anirban Chakraborty lent melodic structure and emotional nuance to each performance, while tabla maestro Mir Naqibul Islam drew admiration for his impeccable rhythm, clarity and expressive accompaniment. His control over tempo and mood gave each composition an added dimension, earning repeated appreciation from the gathering.
The event was conceived and executed under the guidance of Vidushi Purnima Desai, a respected cultural figure hailing from Kolkata, a city renowned for its contributions to Indian arts and literature. Desai organized the program as a free offering to the community, aligning the presentation of classical music with the sanctity of the temple setting—an aspect many attendees described as particularly meaningful.
The Foundation’s cultural mission was also supported by Tejal Desai, daughter of Purnima Desai, whose quiet yet impactful role included coordinating reception arrangements and ensuring a warm and organized welcome for attendees. Volunteers including Devendrabhai and Vidyaben were acknowledged for their dedication and courteous assistance.
Rohit and Meena Pandya, long associated with the cultural initiatives of the Sriniketan Foundation, expressed gratitude for being invited to document and share the significance of the evening. They described the concert as not only a musical event but also a celebration of heritage, devotion and community spirit.
The audience left the Hindu Center with a sense of enrichment, many remarking on the rare opportunity to witness such an array of classical talent within a spiritually charged environment. The concert marked yet another milestone in Sriniketan Foundation’s ongoing efforts to promote and preserve Indian classical arts in the diaspora community.
