Pune: With the objective of connecting students with India’s rich musical traditions and nurturing a deeper appreciation for the country’s cultural heritage, SNBP School & Jr. College, Yerwada, Pune, will organise the fifth season of Swaryagya Mahotsav – Utsav of Ragas on October 2 and 3, 2026.
The two-day music festival, at Saraswati Hall, SNBP, Yerwada, Pune, will bring together several eminent artistes of Indian classical music, providing students and music lovers an opportunity to experience live performances by distinguished musicians.
The festival features Padma Vibhushan Dr N. Rajam and Padmashri Pt Venkatesh Kumar, while Padmashri Pt Ulhas Kashalkar has been named the chief guest.
The line-up also includes Vidushi Vidya Bhagwat, Pt Manmohan Kumbhare, Shri Ojas Adhiya, Dr Sudhanshu Kulkarni, Dr Bipul Ray, Shri Sarang Sambhare, Shri Afsar Khan and Shri Vinayak Gurav, along with a special presentation by the students.
The initiative is rooted in the belief that music can be a powerful means of connecting children with their roots, traditions and civilisational heritage.
The school maintains that education cannot be confined to academic achievement and that music and culture play an important role in personality development, cultural pride and character-building.
Music as a means of imbibing Bharatiyata
At the heart of Swaryagya Mahotsav is an attempt to bring the younger generation closer to Indian classical music and the values embedded in the tradition of sadhana, riyaaz, discipline and the Guru-Shishya Parampara.
Speaking to Organiser, Rashmi Shukla, the Principalof SNBP School & Jr. College, Yerwada, said, “Music is the most powerful way to connect children with their roots and traditions. In line with the vision of NEP 2020 which emphasizes holistic and value-based education, at SNBP, we regularly organise such cultural programmes with a deep focus on Indian classical music.
“An Indian theme is an integral part of our academic calendar every year, as we believe education is not just about marks, but about personality development, cultural pride and building character. These programmes also give our students a rare and inspiring opportunity to meet and learn from distinguished achievers and artistes who shape their perspective for life,” she added.
The principal describes the Swaryagya Mahotsav as a humble yagya dedicated to Indian classical music, where Swar itself becomes the ahuti. The objective is to enable students to experience the depth of a raag, the discipline of taal and the years of dedicated sadhana behind every musical performance.
The festival is also intended to introduce young students to the Guru-Shishya Parampara and the importance of riyaaz, at a time when children are increasingly exposed to digital distractions.
Taking the vision of NEP 2020 beyond textbooks
The programme is being organised in keeping with the broader educational approach of the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, which places emphasis on holistic, value-based education and the integration of Indian Knowledge Systems into education.
SNBP says Indian themes form an integral part of its academic calendar, reflecting its belief that education should contribute not only to academic development but also to personality development, cultural awareness and character formation.
Through Swaryagya Mahotsav, the school seeks to give students direct exposure to accomplished practitioners of Indian classical music and create an environment in which they can understand the discipline, dedication and cultural knowledge associated with the art form.
For students, the organisers say, listening to classical music in a live setting can become a lesson in patience, concentration and emotional sensitivity. The sustained practice required to master music also introduces children to the idea that excellence is built through dedication rather than shortcuts.
Connecting generations through music
The organisers also see the festival as an opportunity to strengthen the cultural ecosystem of Pune, a city with a longstanding association with Indian classical music.
Swaryagya Mahotsav is envisaged as a platform where grandparents, parents and children can come together and experience Indian classical music, creating an inter-generational connection through the shared experience of music.
In this sense, the festival seeks to preserve and transmit intangible cultural heritage by taking Indian classical music beyond the performance stage and introducing its traditions and values to younger audiences.
