Hyderabad, 14 March 2026 — The Campus Cultural Centre of the University of Hyderabad ushered in the vibrance of spring with Basant Utsav – Colours of Music, a captivating evening dedicated to the richness of Carnatic classical music. The event brought together an impressive lineup of young maestros whose performances resonated deeply with both the university community and music lovers from across the city.
The highlight of the evening was the spellbinding performance by renowned multi-string instrumentalist and Carnatic mandolin virtuoso Vid. S.M. Subhani. Hailing from Ongole, Andhra Pradesh, Subhani represents a rare confluence of deep-rooted classical tradition and contemporary musical exploration. Trained rigorously under his grandfather, the revered Nadaswara Vidwan Throvagunta Shaik Hassan Saheb, and his father Throvagunta Shaik Kasmur Mastan Saheb, Subhani’s musical journey began early and flourished rapidly.
A prodigious talent, Subhani began performing at the age of eight and was featured on All India Radio Vijayawada by fourteen. Today, widely known as “Strings Subhani,” he is a sought-after instrumentalist in the South Indian film industry, contributing to over 1,200 films. His versatility spans more than ten instruments including mandolin, guitar, banjo, bouzouki, saz, pipa, and ukulele.
Over the years, he has collaborated with leading music directors such as A.R. Rahman, M.M. Keeravani, Devi Sri Prasad, Anirudh Ravichander, and many others, while also continuing to shine on global classical concert stages and fusion platforms.
The evening also featured a compelling vocal recital by Vid. J.S. Sriram, an accomplished Carnatic musician known for his laya-oriented approach and imaginative raga improvisations. A gold medalist in M.A. Music from Potti Sriramulu Telugu University and an ‘A Grade’ artist of All India Radio, Sriram has carved a niche for himself through performances across the country. Trained under eminent gurus including Sri Akella Mallikarjuna Sharma, his music reflects both discipline and creative depth.
Supporting the main performers was an equally distinguished ensemble of co-artists. Vid. M. Vasu Sastry, a violinist, vocalist, and composer from a rich musical lineage, added remarkable depth to the concert with his nuanced Violin accompaniment. With over a thousand and five hundred performances to his credit, Vasu is celebrated for his technical brilliance and versatility across classical and dance traditions.
The rhythmic foundation of the concert was strengthened by the dynamic Mridangam and Ghatam performances of Master Karthikeya Sarma and Vid. M. Chandrakath. Karthikeya, a young Mridangam prodigy trained under Sri Trichy B. Harikumar, has already gained recognition for his skill and stage presence.
Chandrakath on Ghatam, is an experienced percussionist of both Mridangam and Ghatam, and alumnus of Potti Sree Ramulu Telugu University, brought with him a wealth of experience, having performed widely across India and internationally, including at the International Drum Festival in Cairo.
The event was meticulously organized by the Campus Cultural Centre and coordinated by Dr. Aranyakumar, Cultural Coordinator of the University of Hyderabad. Faculty members Dr. Pavani and Dr. Pragya from the Department of Music were also present, lending their support to the event. A dedicated team of student volunteers, along with non-teaching staff from the Department of Music, played a crucial role in ensuring the smooth execution of the program.
Basant Utsav – Colours of Music stood as a testament to the enduring appeal of classical music and its ability to bring communities together. The University of Hyderabad continues its commitment to cultural enrichment, with more such events to be announced through Gapps and the university website.