Author: admin
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Why should every child learn music (despite AI being able to create and sing songs)
A few days back, I was at a school, talking to the school principal and explaining the Baithak Foundation’s work to him. This school, located in a semi-urban setting, caters to children from modest backgrounds. Some children travel a fairly long distance to reach the school from nearby small villages. The principal was an up-to-date…
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Jankibai of Allahabad: A Voice That Echoed Through Time
Curated by Kasturi Joshi Introduction – Jankibai of Allahabad (1880–1934) was one of the first female Indian classical vocalists to be commercially recorded. Known as “Chhappan Chhuri” for her commanding presence and fearless spirit, she was deeply rooted in the thumri, dadra, and khayal traditions. Her recordings were among the most popular gramophone records in…
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Ustaad Abdul Aziz Khan: The Doyen of Vichitra Veena
Early Life and Musical Roots Born in the culturally rich city of Patiala in 1881, Ustad Abdul Aziz Khan was destined to make a mark in Indian classical music. Before becoming synonymous with the Vichitra Veena, he was highly regarded as a Sarangi player, having mastered the instrument over a distinguished career spanning more than…
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Zohrabai: The Unforgettable Voice of Agra Gharana
Curated by Kasturi Joshi Zohrabai Agrewali (1868–1913) was not only a celebrated vocalist but also a woman of immense strength, determination, and musical talent at a time when the notion of a female public performer challenged societal norms. Born in Agra, she lived during a period when the Indian recording industry was beginning to develop.…
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Bai Sundrabai Jadhav: The Gem of India’s Gramophone Music
Curated by Swanandi Deshmukh Bai Sundrabai Jadhav, c. (1885 – 1953) Fondly known as “Punekarin,” was one of the most influential figures in Indian music during the 1920s to 1940s. Born in Pune around 1885, she later moved to Mumbai, where she passed away at the age of approximately seventy in 1953. Her presence wasn’t…
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Ustad Vilayat Hussain Khan: The Epitome of Versatility
Curated by Shadaj Iyer Ustad Vilayat Hussain Khan Sahab. One of the greatest musicians of the Agra Gharana. He was not only a great musician but an extraordinary composer and a renowned guru as well. His gayaki had all the embellishments of agra gayaki, with bol banavat, bol taans, layakari, khatka and bal tans and…
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Can music help children escape post traumatic stress disorder? Some Insights from neurology, music and Kabir
Last month, I started reading ‘Body Keeps the Score,’ a book by Bessel van der Kolk. I am not a great fan of complex and scholarly books but despite that, I read them these days. “What is the impact of your work?” It is a question that is thrown at us more often than “Would…
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Using Music To Break Our Isolation
It is the month of September. I am in front of a bunch of a hundred kids awaiting a Bharatnatyam recital to commence. The school is in the first year of Baithak Foundation’s three years long program designed to introduce Indian traditional music to the young listeners. The artist would be taking charge of the…
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Music of Holi
Holi is popularly known and celebrated as the festival of colours. Like all Indian festivals the festival of Holi brings together fun and food. Importantly, Holi is also a symbol of burning the evils within and celebrating the triumph of righteousness. Every Indian festival is an opportunity for the community to come together and for…
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Here is What I Learnt From Teaching Indian Classical Music Online to a 5 Years Old Child!
Teaching Indian classical music to young kids is difficult. Teaching Indian classical music to people with no prior exposure is also difficult. Teaching Indian classical music online is also difficult. Here is what I have to share about my experience of teaching music online to a 5 years old kid with no prior exposure of…