The University of Hyderabad’s campus cultural center has organised a classical music event as part of Independence Day celebrations 2025. The event titled ‘My Nation My Song’ was held in the CV Raman Auditorium on August 14, from 6 to 8 in the evening. Various artists of Hyderabad city presented Hindustani classical vocal and sitar instrumental music.

The event began with prayer songs by Dattatreya.  Shri Harsha – students of music department, accompanied by Pratik Joshi on Tabla. Janardan played raag yaman followed by a sun in raga Lulu and raga Desh, he was accompanied by G.Prakash on Tabla, in the second half Smt. Hemangi Nene sung two compositions in raga Nand followed by a Kajri – a seasonal song of monsoon. She was accompanied by Harijit Singh on Tabla and Rahul Deshpande on harmonium.

Details of the artists:

Srimanti Hemangi Bhagat- Nene

Born into a family that cherishes music in Indore, Hemangi Bhagat-Nene discovered her artistic talents from an early period. Her grandfather, the late Shri Jagannath Bhagat, a senior social worker, recognised her potential and initiated her singing lessons under the tutelage of Indore’s esteemed musician, Guru Dr. Shashikant Tambe. The foundation of her training in the Jaipur Atrauli Gharana was later established under the guidance of Guru Smt. Shubhda Tai Marathe. Her singing practice flourished with the mentorship of these two gurus. During her college years, she further honed her skills with the support of Professor Dr. Neelima Chhapekar and Dr. Suvarna Wad. Currently, she is receiving advanced training from senior singer Smt. Pratima Tilak of the Jaipur Atrauli Gharana in Mumbai, where she has been studying for the past few years. She has received numerous awards, including Ustad Shaik Dawood Khan Swarna Jayanthi Smriti Samaroha – Hyderabad, and continues performing at all major sangeet sabhas.

Sri. Thakur Harijit Singh (Tabla)

Sri Harijit Singh is a renowned tabla artist from Hyderabad who studied tabla under the guidance of the Late Pt. Thakur, Ranjit Singh & Pt.Gajendra Shewalkar. He is a graded A.I.R artist. He performed at the Jalsa, Saptak festival & Sangeet Natak Academy. Sri. Harijit also accompanied stalwarts Pt. Jasraji, Pt.Rajan Sajan Mishra, Pt.Mahesh Kale. He performed for Talat Azizji, Peenaz Masaniji, Roshan Bharatiji, and Sufi music for Ustd Rahat Fateh Ali Sahib.

Sri. Rahul Deshpande (Harmonium)

Sri Rahul is a performer both as an accompanist and a solo harmonium player.  He started his career learning harmonium from the Late Smt. Ranjana Godse of Pune. Thereafter, he studied under the tutelage of the Late Pt. Appasaheb Jalgaokar in the Guru-Shishya parampara in Pune. Currently, he is pursuing vocal music training under the tutelage of Pt. Vajendra Ashrit, Hyderabad.  Sri. Rahul is a graded artist of AIR and accompanied renowned artists like Vidushi. Padma Talwalkar, Pt. Vikas Kashalkar, Pt. Kaivalya Kumar Gurav and many more. He has performed in India and abroad in solo harmonium concerts.

Sri. Gummadi Janardhan (Sitar)

Sri Janardhan began his musical journey, studying Carnatic Music, with a focus on harmonium and vocal in 1969, under the guidance of Sri V. Ramachandraiah. Very soon, he started learning Hindustani vocal in 1972 under the mentorship of Pandit Sri. Bheema Shankar Rao, Sri. Nandugouda Hanumantha Rao of Hyderabad. He studied sitar under Pandit Sri K Atmaram Sharma Garu of Hyderabad. He is a founder Member and General Secretary of Meera Sangeetha Mandali, Hanamkonda. He retired as the Principal from Vidyaranya Music College, Warangal, and currently leads the Sankalpa Academy, Hyderabad.

Sri. G. Prakash (Tabla)

Sri. Prakash is an India Radio Graded Artist. Along with the tabla, he has learnt ‘PAKHAWAJ’ under the guidance of the Late Sri.Bahusaheb Dikshit of Mumbai. He has been working with various academies in the city and currently teaches tabla in Telangana Tribal Welfare Residential Fine Arts Government school and Sankalpa Academy. Sri. Prakash performed at various occasions, including the Tansen-Tyagaraja Music and Dance festival for the Global Creative Arts Academy in the USA. He also has performed for All India Radio, Television, and in films.

The program ‘My Nation My Song’ conducted on the eve of Independence Day celebrations was a huge success. The artists presented a wonderful evening to the classical music lovers on the campus. The program enriched the greatness of classical music, which is unique to Indian classical traditions.

By Aswathy P B, MA Communication (Media Practice)