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The moment I reached Goa airport, I had doubts about attending this festival. After all, Goa and classical music were not a combination I had in mind. However, it all changed the moment I stepped inside the venue, as I realised that its way more than just another music and arts festival. Let me tell you all about my experience and why its a must-attend event for every music lover.
Organised by Showhouse, the three-day residential arts and music festival took place from July 24 to July 26 at the Taj Exotica Resort & Spa in Goa. Stripping away the usual concert barriers, the festival brought music, art, and hospitality together in a way that felt entirely personal. Listening to soulful ragas indoors while the coastal monsoon rain poured outside created an atmosphere that instantly grounded the entire experience. I was there and was blown away by the music and performances. I also met almost all the artists, including Danish Husain, who staged his musical play, Main Pal Do Pal Ka Shayar Hoon, and it was so beautiful and intense that I had tears in my eyes. During my interaction with Danish, he told me all about how it all started, various interesting instances, and how much he loves theatre. He wants to direct movies as well, but it takes so much time that he prefers directing plays. I also interacted with Geetika Yadav, the actress who got recognition for her movie Soni. She was part of the Danish Husain play, and we discussed various things related to her passion and our common love for cinema. Moving from the intimate world of theatre to the musical maestros, the off-stage moments were just as engaging. Anup Jalota was adding comic relief by sharing his experience at various concerts and events. When I met him, he was still practising to do something new for his next event and said that he has done more than 8,000 variations of his bhajan 'Aisi Laagi Lagan'. Then I had a brief meeting with sitar maestro Shujaat Khan as well, and he was really sweet. When I tried to touch his feet out of respect, he tried to touch mine, saying we are all equal and experts in our own things. He even said that he had no advice for young artists, as they know what they want and should just devote their focus to pursuing their dreams. The performances by the other artists were really good as well. From the magical Sufi music by the Tasawwur Ensemble to the mesmerising Khayal and Thumri by Ronkini Gupta, the sheer variety kept the audience hooked. When I interacted with them off-stage, they were incredibly warm and just as wonderful to talk to. Unfortunately, I couldn't meet the Raga Sisters as I guess they were a bit under the weather, but their presence at the festival was deeply felt. By the end of it all, I felt a strange connection to this festival and to various music genres. It made me realise that the language of music is truly universal. Such festivals bring us close to our roots and make us love such music all over again. Ultimately, it offered an unhurried, intimate environment for genuine conversations, making it an enriching retreat. (ANI) (Disclaimer: The author is an expert in the fields of lifestyle, consumer tech and auto. Views shared here are personal.)
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