PATIALA,December 22-Sunday being a weekly holiday, the Kalidas historic Auditorium in the City Royale was full to capacity, with the avowed music-lovers turning up along with their families and friends to be a part of the rich fare of music and muse.

A brain child of the North Zone Culture Centre (NZCC), Patiala, the first of its kind classical music festival of this scale, was started last year, with an eye to carry forward the age-old musical legacy of the Patiala Gharana handed down to us by the greats of the prominent Gharana. The annual event saw the who’s who of the music world performing live at the unique medley of music.

The laidback morning on Sunday instantaneously turned brisk as the star performer of the day, Vidushi Anupama Bhagwat, a consummated sitar player, took the centre stage to dole out her heart-tugging compositions, leaving the audience mesmerized with her stunning recital. Her highly nuanced performance reflected her technical brilliance and emotive depth.

She started with raag Basant Mukhari, alaap, jod, two bandishes in teen taal, followed by Raga Bhatiyar, ending up with a mesmerising 'dhun' she played with finesse, which the audience watched in awe and admiration. Acclaimed tabla wizard Pandit Abhishek Mishra accompanied her on tabla.

Up next to present his popular compositions was Sourabh Vasishtha, a well-known classical vocalist, known for his incredible proficiency in Hindustani classical music. He started with raag Todi Vilambit ektaal bandish “Change Nayan wali…”, Drut teentaal “Langar kankari aaj na maro…” earning full-throtted encomium from the audience. He was accompanied on the stage by Jaidev (On tabla) and Tarun Joshi (On harmonium).

Dr Rajinder Singh Gill, former Director, NZCC, was the chief guest on the concluding day. Among others present on the occasion include prominent Punjabi singer Satinder Bugga, Bhupinder Singh Malhi (Canada), Dr Swaraj, Dr Manmohan Sharma, former professor of English, Punjabi University, Patiala.

Mincing no words, , NZCC Director Mohd Furqan Khan on the occasion said that the festival was started, last year, with great expectations, coupled with a tinge of reluctance, but the love and affection extended by the music-loving fraternity of Patiala, has infused much-needed gravitas to perpetuate the festival to carry forward the lofty traditions of the Patiala Gharana" He also thanked, besides the media, the people of Patiala and others who helped make the event a huge success.

Dr Jagmohan Sharma conducted the stage on all four days.