Purbi: Rang, Raar aur Viraha

Purbi: Rang, Raar aur Viraha is a Hindustani classical music presentation paying tribute to the legendary vocalist Girija Devi (1929–2017), one of the most celebrated exponents of the Purab ang tradition.

Curated and presented by Debapriya Adhikary, the programme explores the expressive and philosophical nuances of Purab ang gayaki through traditional forms including thumri, tappa, dadra, kajri and hori. These compositions portray the many shades of love—from admiration and playful quarrels to longing, jealousy and the pain of separation.

Debapriya Adhikary and vocalist Piu Mukherjee, both trained under Girija Devi, bring their understanding of the tradition to this musical dialogue.

Featured Artists:

• Debapriya Adhikary — Curator, presenter and vocalist

• Piu Mukherjee — Vocals

• Kumar Bose — Tabla, renowned maestro of the Benaras gharana

• Purvi Parikh — Narration; also a disciple of Girija Devi

• Vanraj Shastri — Sarangi

• Siddharth Mesta — Harmonium

The performance combines classical vocals, rhythmic accompaniment, melodic instrumentation and narration to highlight the emotional depth and aesthetic beauty of Purab ang compositions. It offers audiences an opportunity to experience a rich musical tradition and honour the legacy of one of its most influential artists.