Media Release

Mangaluru, Sep 30: With the aim of popularizing Indian classical music in both the Carnatic and Hindustani traditions, Sangeet Bharati Foundation, Mangalore, in association with the department of tourism, Government of Karnataka, has organized a unique musical programme titled ‘Vihangama’ on October 5 at 5:30 pm at Town Hall, Mangalore.

Addressing a press conference, Dr Ushaprabha N Nayak, secretary, Sangeet Bharati Foundation, announced that Vihangama will feature an exceptional violin–sitar jugalbandi by two internationally acclaimed artistes — Vidwan Dr Mysore Manjunath and Ustad Rafique Khan.

They will be accompanied by renowned percussionists Vidwan Thiruvaarur Bakthavathsalam from Chennai on the Mridangam, and Shri Ojas Adhiya from Mumbai on the Tabla.

The programme will be inaugurated by Sudhir Kumar Reddy, commissioner of police, Mangalore City.

Dr Mysore Manjunath, a doyen of Carnatic violin, is the son and disciple of the legendary violinist Vidwan S Mahadevappa. A child prodigy, he gave his first concert at the age of eight. He earned his Master’s degree in Music from the University of Mysore, securing first rank and four gold medals, and went on to obtain a PhD in Music.

With numerous performances across India and abroad, Dr Manjunath is celebrated as one of India’s foremost violinists, known for his technical brilliance and emotive depth.

Ustad Rafique Khan, a sixth-generation musician of the illustrious Dharwad Gharana, was born into a family of legendary sitarists. His father, the late Ustad Abdul Karim Khan, and grandfather, the renowned “Sitar Ratna” Ustad Rahimat Khan, were towering figures in Indian classical music — the latter credited with adding the bass octave to the sitar.

Trained from a young age under his father and elder brother Ustad Bale Khan, and further guided in Gayaki Ang by his uncle Ustad Dastagir Khan, Rafique Khan began performing at the age of nine. A top-grade artiste of All India Radio, he has performed in prestigious music festivals across India and abroad and is empanelled with the Indian Council for Cultural Relations (ICCR).

Music lovers in Mangalore now have a rare opportunity to witness a world-class violin–sitar jugalbandi, where two maestros from different traditions will share the stage to create a spellbinding confluence of melody, rhythm, and emotion.

Dr Ushaprabha N Nayak urged all music enthusiasts to make the most of this open-to-all event.

The programme is free for the public, and promises to offer an unforgettable musical experience.

Vihangama is sponsored by the department of tourism, government of Karnataka, with Dr P Dayanand Pai, chairman of Century Group, Bengaluru, as the associate sponsor.

An earnest appeal is made to all members of the media to attend, cover, and help publicize this unique music festival — both before and after the event — so that more people can experience the richness of our classical traditions.

Ustad Rafique Khan (president), Dr Ushaprabha N Nayak (secretary), Karunakar Balkur (treasurer), and trustees Muralidhar G Shenoy, Dr Ramesh K G, and Ankush N Nayak were present at the press conference.