Concept and Curated by Pancham Nishad | Presented by GRACE Foundation
Mumbai | May 2025 – This summer, the city’s classical music landscape will resonate with fresh promise and extraordinary potential as Aarohi – A Festival of Rising Stars returns for its 23rd edition. Presented by GRACE Foundation and curated by Pancham Nishad, this much-anticipated annual event will take place on Thursday, May 22 and Friday, May 23, 2025, from 6:30 PM onwards at Y. B. Chavan Auditorium, Nariman Point.
Carrying forward a two-decade legacy of nurturing excellence, Aarohi 2025 brings with it a bold new format — for the first time in its history, the festival will present an all-vocal concert series over two evenings. This evolution marks a heartfelt tribute to the depth and diversity of Indian vocal classical traditions, creating a listening experience both immersive and intimate.
Since its inception in 2002, Aarohi has been a launchpad for over 130 young artistes, many of whom have risen to national and global recognition — among them Niladri Kumar, Jayateerth Mevundi, Ojas Adhiya, Amaan Ali Bangash, and Rahul Deshpande to name a few. With each passing year, Aarohi continues to uphold its founding mission: to spotlight the finest emerging talent from across India and usher them into the classical music world.
“This year’s edition features six outstanding young vocalists, selected through the Gunijaan Bandish Rashtriya Pratiyogita — a prestigious national classical singing competition organised by the GRACE Foundation in 2024 to mark the birth centenary of the legendary Padma Bhushan Pt. C. R. Vyas. The competition celebrated the rich heritage of classical bandish and provided a vital platform for emerging vocal talent from across India.”
The semi-finals and finals were held in Pune, culminating in the selection of these promising young voices by an esteemed jury of the country’s most respected maestros: Vidushi Nirmala Gogate, Pandit Sajan Mishra, Pandit Suresh Talwalkar, Pandit Satish Vyas, Vidushi Ashwini Bhide, Pandit Suhas Vyas, Pandit Ulhas Kashalkar, and Vidushi Devaki Pandit.
Performance Line-up:
Thursday, May 22, 2025
• Atharva Vairagkar
• Somdatta Chatterjee
• Meher Paralikar
Friday, May 23, 2025
• Yugandhara Keche
• Darshan Melavanki
• Tejaswini Vernekar
These young vocalists will be accompanied by a stellar team of accompanists — Yati Bhagwat, Swapnil Bhise on Tabla, Sudhanshu Gharpure, and Dyaneshwar Sonawane on the Harmonium ensuring each performance is steeped in tradition and artistic depth.
A Thoughtful Reflection:
Reflecting on the journey, Mr. Shashi Vyas, Founder and Director of Pancham Nishad, shares: “The vitality of Indian classical music depends on empowering young musicians at the right time. Aarohi was envisioned to fulfil this need — and after more than two decades, its spirit continues to inspire and resonate. This year’s all-vocal format adds another exciting chapter to our journey.”
About GRACE Foundation:
The Gunijaan Research Art Culture & Education (GRACE) Foundation is a Section 8 non-profit company dedicated to the preservation and promotion of India’s rich performing arts heritage. Inspired by the philosophy “Growing individually whilst staying together”, the Foundation champions artistic collaboration and inclusive platforms for India’s next generation of performers.
Event Details:
Dates: Thursday, 22nd May 2025 & Friday, 23rd May 2025
Time: 6:30 PM onwards
Venue: Y. B. Chavan Auditorium, Nariman Point, Mumbai
Entry: Free (Limited Reserved Seating)
Join us for two evenings of soulful music, youthful energy, and timeless ragas — a celebration where the voices of tomorrow rise in homage to a tradition that continues to evolve.
