MUMBAI: Think of the rains, and you automatically think of Malhar, the oldest and one of the most melodious ragas of Hindustani classical music, with its innumerable varieties attributed to nature’s gift of the monsoon season. ‘Malhar Rang’ (Seasons Melodious Expression) presented by Pancham Nishad will feature Veteran vocalists Ulhas Kashalkar and Venkatesh Kumar for an amazing musical rendezvous which will be held at Nehru Centre, on Friday, 16 June 2017, 6.30 pm onwards.

Malhar ragas like Miyan Malhar, Gaud Malhar, Megh Malhar, Ramdasi Malhar, and Sur Malhar are traditionally sung or played on instruments only in monsoon season. The rain helps in capturing the spirit of the ragas. Both the artists are known for their robust yet mellifluous music and they have been on the concert scene for decades and have built a huge fan base. They have an uncanny knack of leaving their audiences spellbound in concerts across the globe.

To the known and unknown, Ulhas Kashalkar is the prolific performer who not only adheres to the aesthetic contours of each style but also the formal demands of the raga being presented. Apart from being one of the most popular musicians among the music lovers and connoisseurs alike, he is revered as a Guru who has trained many students at the Sangeet Research Academy, Kolkata. On the other hand, gifted with a robust yet a powerful voice, Venkatesh Kumar today is one of the leading vocalists of the country and his singing reflects a blend of the Kirana and the Gwalior Gharana which springs an element of curiosity and joy among the music lovers.