Vice President Shri C.P. Radhakrishnan inaugurated 'MALHAR 2026' on August 21, 2026, in New Delhi. The event is a youth-centric, monsoon-themed celebration of Indian classical music organized by Antar Hriday Connect. The Vice President noted that the Malhar family of ragas is traditionally associated with the monsoon season and described MALHAR as a symbol of renewal, emphasizing music's power to refresh the human spirit, awaken imagination, and inspire hope.
Addressing the gathering, the Vice President appreciated Antar Hriday Connect for creating opportunities for young people to experience India's rich classical music heritage through free classical music concerts. He highlighted that across India, every region has its own musical traditions, sounds, and styles, yet music remains one of the strongest threads connecting the country, describing India's cultural diversity as "many musical traditions, one shared spirit; many voices, one Bharat."
The Vice President emphasized that India's classical music tradition has remained a living tradition because it has continuously evolved. He urged youth to become custodians and ambassadors of India's civilizational heritage and encouraged them to take the country's classical music and cultural traditions to communities across the world. He also highlighted music as one of India's greatest forms of soft power, capable of transcending language and borders and fostering friendship, understanding, and goodwill.
The event was attended by Member of Parliament Rajya Sabha and Chief Patron of Antar Hriday Shri Harsh Vardhan Shringla, President of Corporate Affairs at ITC Shri Anil Rajput, Chairman of Galaxy and Sawasdee Group Shri Pradeep Kumar, and Antar Hriday Youth Cultural Ambassador for India Shri Saurav Sharma, along with other dignitaries. The Vice President expressed hope that MALHAR would become a recurring musical journey, returning every monsoon with greater energy, wider participation, and an ever-growing love for Indian classical music.
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