Harivallabh Sangeet Sammelan is the oldest festival of Hindustani Classical Music in the world. Every year, it is celebrated at the sacred seat of music, the samadhi of Baba Harballabh, a saint and an exponent of Hindustani Classical Music.
The first ever Sammelan was held in the year 1875 at the Sidh Peeth-Shri Devi Talab, in Jalandhar. Following this, it has been held every year. During this festival, reputed musicians from all over country come together in Jalandhar to celebrate the Indian Classical Music.
Harivallabh Sangeet Sammelan schedule:
This year, the 149th Shree Baba Harivallabh Sangeet Sammelan, will be dedicated to the late Ustad Zakir Hussain as per the announcement of the Shri Baba Harivallabh Sangeet Mahasabha. The festival will begin with a tabla recital in Ustad Zakir Hussain’s honour.
This iconic festival has been held for 149 years in Jalandhar. This year, it will take place from 27th to 29th December on the premises of Shri Devi Talab Mandir which is located on the banks of Devi Talab in Jalandhar.
List of Artists:
This year’s festival will feature multiple artistes including Pt. Tejendra Narayan Majumdar, Pt. Kumar Bose and Viraj Joshi, who is the grandson of the legendary Pt. Bhimsen Joshi.
The festival will also present a tabla and mridangam fusion with Pt. Abhishek Mishra and Pt. Peravali Jaya Bhaskar. It will also have a Pakhwaj recital by Prashant Kumar and Nishant Kumar Mallick.
The President of the Shri Baba Harivallabh Sangeet Mahasabha, Purnima Beri, expressed her grief over the passing of Ustad Zakir Hussain. She stated, “It is with heavy hearts that we dedicate this year’s festival to the late Ustad Zakir Hussain, who was an integral part of the Harivallabh family. His breath-taking recitals have left a lasting impact, and his loss is irreplaceable.”
The main objective of this festival is to encourage more people for the development of classical Music. There is also a proper syllabus for the pursuers of Music and there is a shrine at the banks of the river with the name Devi Talab as well. There is a Shiva lingam in the temple nearby.