Watch: Dubai-based music group starts free online learning series on Indian classical music

Dubai: Our mornings could get a tad more musical. Beginning tomorrow (January 2), Dubai-based Malhaar Centre for Performing Arts has started a new online Indian classical music series - Malhar Morning Raga - to regale its music afficiondos and also bring a thorough understanding of Indian classical music to amateurs every weekend in 2021. In Indian classical music, melodies of one family are played according to the time of the day and seasons of the lunar calendar. This programme will present some of the finest ragas that are essentially rendered in the wee hours.

The programme will be curated and presented by Yogesh Mehta, CEO of Petrochem Middle East. A classical music connoisseur, Mehta said,”I am passionate about Indian classical music and have always supported such events big or small. The Malhaar Morning Raga is something very special to my heart as it’s produced in Dubai and I am extremely privileged to be part of its launch season,” said Mehta.

The programme which is free for all to view, will be streamed live on Facebook and YouTube channel on Malhaar’s social pages - MalhaarUAE, every Saturday at 8am UAE time. The first edition will go live on Saturday, January 2.

Programme structure

Expressing the intent behind the series, Malhar’s founder-director Jogiraj Sikidar said, “Malhaar Morning Raga is a new year gift to our audience. The idea is to start 2021 on a positive note and hope.”

The show will present one Indian raga every week and the artist will present it in different styles. Sikidar added, “Every episode will have three segments, where the main artist will present two compositions of a particular raga. We will also connect with another artist from anywhere in world, who will discuss about the beautiful mornings of a particular city or town or location and musical tradition associated with that place,” said Sikidar.