The strains of raga, the rhythm of the tabla and the graceful movements of Odissi dance came together in a vibrant celebration of heritage as the Parampara Music and Dance Festival 2026 was held on March 7 at the SingPost Auditorium.
Organised by Parampara SG, the festival brought together students, teachers and seasoned performers in a showcase of Indian classical music and dance, reaffirming the group’s mission to preserve and promote traditional art forms in Singapore.
Founded in 2015 by acclaimed musician Suman Bhattacharya and a group of local enthusiasts, Parampara SG has steadily built a platform for nurturing talent while connecting audiences to the depth and richness of Indian cultural traditions.
This year’s edition – the fourth festival organised by the group – highlighted both pedagogy and performance, with a strong emphasis on the concept of parampara, or lineage, that lies at the heart of Indian classical arts.
One of the standout segments, Guldasta, featured 28 vocal and sitar students presenting 10 ragas drawn from the primary thaats of Hindustani classical music. The performance offered audiences a structured yet expressive journey through the foundational frameworks of the tradition.
Equally captivating was Vandana, which saw 45 dance students perform nine Odissi pieces choreographed in the style of legendary guru Kelucharan Mohapatra, under the guidance of Susmita Datta. The performances combined precision and devotion, reflecting the spiritual and narrative depth of the classical dance form.
The festival also featured a vocal recital by Bhattacharya, an exponent of the Patiala gharana, accompanied by Rohen Bose on tabla and Ustad Sarwar Hussain on sarangi. The performance underscored the improvisational richness and emotional intensity that define Hindustani classical music.
Beyond the stage, the festival reflected the growing diversity of Parampara SG’s student base, which includes around 90 students from Singapore and countries such as Australia, the Netherlands, the United States, Germany, and India.
Through regular training in Hindustani vocal music, sitar, tabla, Odissi and contemporary Indian dance, the organisation has cultivated a multicultural community united by a shared appreciation for classical arts.
Bhattacharya, who is also an All India Radio artiste and an academic at Visva-Bharati University, has played a key role in shaping the group’s artistic direction. His work, which spans performance, research and teaching, is rooted in a commitment to sustaining traditional forms while making them accessible to new audiences.
Parampara SG has also hosted renowned maestros such as sitar virtuoso Pt. Budhaditya Mukherjee and tabla maestro Pt. Kumar Bose, in previous editions, adding depth and international stature to its programmes.
Looking ahead, the organisation plans to further enhance the quality of its performances and expand its reach beyond Singapore.
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26 Feb 2026 19:35
