Nirmika Singh, Hindustan Times
Mumbai, February 10, 2012
The fourth edition of the Baajaa Gaajaa music festival starts today in Pune and promises to be a melting pot of different musical traditions in the country. Aiming to bring together regional folk, classical and even western artistes on a common platform, the three-day affair takes pride in its inclusive nature.
“We are not an elitist space. The idea is to give a panoramic view of the diversity in Indian music. In fact, sometimes I feel that three days are not enough to present the exceptional variety,” says Shubha Mudgal, who along with tabla exponent Aneesh Pradhan, curates the annual cultural extravaganza.
One of the highlights of the fest will be a performance by Australian percussion Ben Walsh, who will perform on his Wheel of Drums — a set-up that features eight drums arrange in a fashion similar to a ferris wheel. Ask him about how he conceptualised this unique percussion apparatus and he replies, “It started 11 years ago when I thought of playing drums that are arranged upside down. I wanted to use my body as a pendulum and dance among drums,” says the musician.
Endeavouring to serve as an interdisciplinary space, the festival will also host discussions among filmmakers and musician-composers such as Amol Palekar, Imtiaz Ali and Debojyoti Mishra, Shantanu Moitra. “Theatre and cinema have a strong link with music and it’s a pity that we work in isolation. We are trying to bridge that gap,” says Mudgal.
Besides performances by regional artistes, the festival will also host a tribute to the late icon, Amit Saigal, who was widely recognised for his contribution to independent music in India. The tribute concert, Songs For Papa Rock, will feature bands such as Adil & Vasundhara, Pinknoise and Soulmate. Dhamaal will feature 50 drummers from Manipuri in a unique performance at the festival.
Baajaa Gaajaa Music Festival will be held from Feb 10 to 12 at Pune. Entry free, passes available at www.baajaagaajaa.com
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About
Baajaa Gaajaa is an annual music festival dedicated to the richness and diversity of Indian music, and to the indie music industry that is gradually gaining ground in India. Curated by Indian musicians Shubha Mudgal and Aneesh Pradhan , the festival is now in its fourth year, and is scheduled to take place in Pune, India from Feb 10 to 12, 2012.
Baajaa Gaajaa is organized by Underscore Records Pvt Ltd, the online music label started by Aneesh and Shubha in 2003.
Baajaa Gaajaa has received the support and expertise of a dedicated team. To find out more about the people behind the Baajaa Gaajaa festival, please visit “The Team” section of the website.
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Shubha Mudgal

Shubha Mudgal
Trained by stalwarts such as Ram Ashreya Jha, Vinay Chandra Maudgalya, Vasant Thakar, Jitendra Abhisheki, Kumar Gandharva, and Naina Devi, Shubha Mudgal is today one of the most versatile and popular performers in India.
Equally at ease with khayal and thumri-dadra as with Indipop and contemporary cross-cultural experiments, Shubha is also recognized as a composer.
She is the recipient of several awards:
- Best Music Direction in a non-feature film for her music in the documentary “Amrit Beej” by Meera Dewan, at the National Film Festival of India, 1996
- Aadharshila Award 1996
- Kalashri Award from Raja Ram Mohan Roy Education Foundation 1997
- Gold Plaque Award for Special Achievement in Music at the 34th Chicago International Film Festival 1998
- Padma Shri from the Government of India 2000
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