Ahmedabad's Saptak Music Festival 2025: A peek into this "ustad-studded" event, starting Jan 1

Every year, Indian classical music lovers, connoisseurs, and students in Ahmedabad and beyond eagerly await one event to start the New Year – the Saptak Annual Music Festival! This prestigious invite-only festival, marking its 45th edition in 2025, will begin on the 1st of January and run till the 13th of January. As always, it will bring renowned maestros, ustads, and musical legends to the city. However, this year's event is a special tribute to Manju Mehta, Saptak's co-founder, and Ustad Zakir Hussain.

For the 2025 edition, we spoke with Sandeep Joshi, a family member of Saptak’s founders and a key member of the organising team. Here’s a sneak peek at what this year's festival has to offer!

The 45th edition of Saptak Music Festival, scheduled from the 1st to 13th of January 2025, will take place at the LD Arts College campus opposite IIM-A in Ahmedabad. This year, the festival carries a heartfelt tribute to two legends we lost in 2024: Manju Mehta, Saptak's co-founder and a celebrated sitarist, and Ustad Zakir Hussain, the unparalleled tabla maestro.

Spanning 13 days and featuring 43 enthralling sessions, this prestigious event will showcase the brilliance of 150 artists across vocal, instrumental, and dance performances. From maestros to emerging talent, the festival promises a journey through the rich heritage of Indian classical music.

The lineup includes stalwarts like Pt. Hariprasad Chaurasia on the flute, Ajoy Chakrabarty, Shubha Mudgal, Malini Avasthi, and Sajan Mishra on vocals, and instrumental virtuosos like Shujaat Khan, Pt. Vishwa Mohan Bhatt, and Amjad Ali Khan. Adding a unique touch, Prince Rama Verma, a descendant of Raja Ravi Varma, will perform on the veena, while the Wahane sisters, Sanskrati and Prakruti, will present a sitar and santoor jugalbandi.

Dance forms will also take the stage with Dr. Mallika Sarabhai and Revanta Sarabhai performing Bharatanatyam and Kuchipudi, and Maulik Shah and Ishira Parikh showcasing Kathak. The festival will also feature Abhangvani, a devotional music form from Maharashtra, performed by Sona Abhishek and Manju Shah Patil.

During our discussion with Sandeep Joshi, he reflected on the festival’s evolution and enduring significance.

“Saptak Festival started in 1980 with a single-day event. Over the years, it has grown into a 13-day celebration, bringing together maestros, budding artists, and students from the school and beyond,” he said.

Highlighting the festival’s inclusivity, Joshi added, “Saptak showcases both Hindustani and Carnatic music styles. Diverse gharanas and vadan shailis find a place here.” One such unique performance will feature Prince Rama Verma on the 5th of January.

The festival is an invite-only event, attracting a diverse crowd of students, music lovers, and supporters of Indian classical music. Donors, supporters, and students of the Saptak Institute are invited to experience the performances up close. If you wish to attend the event, you can make a donation of at least ₹5,000 and receive a season pass. Visit the website or contact the Saptak institute's office to learn more about the procedure.

For 45 years, Saptak has been much more than just a festival—it has been a cultural movement that has elevated Ahmedabad’s artistic landscape. It has proven time and again that classical music is not merely an art form; it’s a profound experience that transcends boundaries, creating a deep connection between the performers and the audience. With each passing year, Saptak continues to remind us why Indian classical music is a treasure worth celebrating and preserving!

Check this year's schedule here!