Long before concert halls and ticketing platforms, music flourished meetings– Intimate gatherings where a handful of listeners sat close to the artist, absorbing every note. These small-format classical music programs, traditionally held in homes, are now being reimagined for contemporary audiences. The setting may be more sophisticated, but the essence remains: closeness, conversation and a leisurely immersion in music.
The Jogi Experience by Jaideep Trivedi Photo Credit: Special Arrangement
On February 27, Jaideep Trivedi’s The Jogi Experience will bring two hours of his meeting Till Gaurang’s Kitchen (₹2950, BookMyShow). The evening promises a melodious journey through Sufi, ghazals and folk. “The story adds depth to a song and gives it context,” says Jaideep. “Hyderabad has thoughtful listeners who are curious and ready to engage with music in this way.” After having vocal cord surgery twice, he hosts Intimacy meetings It is rare for close friends to be in his studio. “I like it that way meetings Where we sing in our natural voice without any microphone or speaker but because of the surgery I don’t like it anymore.
It’s been 13 years since Jaideep started out as a music producer and since then he has worked as a director, composer and writer. Over the past three years, he has immersed himself in Sufi music, and shaped performances that blend narrative and song.
sadness in the air
A meeting Session by Once Upon India | Photo Credit: Special Arrangement
Imagine walking into a room filled with music, stories and nostalgia. An Evening of Relaxation Baithak hopes to create the same mood when it makes its debut on March 7 at Hyderabad’s Quorum Club (₹4720; BookMyShow). Presented by Once Upon India and featuring singer Utkarsh Sharma gathering Since its launch in 2025, it has already visited Mumbai, Bengaluru, Pune, Jaipur and Chandigarh.
The format is simple: ghazals and old Hindi film songs woven together with anecdotes. “We organize evenings of stories and nostalgia,” says co-founder Malini Arora. “Our founder, Arpita, also tells the audience about the little things that bring campaign peace (Calmness). “People end up making personal connections.”
(Left) Malini Arora and Arpita. Photo Credit: Special Arrangement
The experience begins with high-tea spread – sweet-sour immediately Candies, mint toffees and flaky pastries that conjure up childhood memories. Guests wear wristbands that read ‘From today you are ours’ (From today you are ours) And get a printed songbook, inviting them to sing along or even spontaneously join in. Jugalbandi (a duet in classical music) with the artist.
“You don’t feel like a passive listener,” Malini says. “You feel part of something. We encourage adults to bring kids along, so they can experience the culture early and understand where they come from.”
second edition
Shujaat Khan’s meeting organized by Ibtida Ek Mehfil in Hyderabad in 2025. Photo Credit: Special Arrangement
The summer of meetings begins in April with Delhi-based Ibtida Ek Mehfil returning to the city for its second edition. Founders Tanvi and Anubhav Jain sensed the growing distance – a lack of intimacy – between artists and audiences. “Sometimes actors are so engrossed in their training that conversation becomes necessary,” says Anubhav.
His travels abroad, watching opera and ballet also shaped the concept. He noted the discipline and opportunity associated with attending a concert – the idea of wearing clothes, the idea of entering a curated space. He explains, “Indian culture is not just about the artist and the audience. It is also about the atmosphere and storytelling. That’s how Ibtida emerged in 2019.”
An Ibtida Sham depends on that idea of immersion. Guests are welcomed in a traditional royal atmosphere traitorLinen sheets and cushions, while a throne (an Arabic instrumental traditional music) plays softly in the background. “These details create warmth and allow people to connect,” says Anubhav. “Once at the venue, it increases spontaneity; The guests sit on the floor and allow the performance to proceed.
with over 35 meetings Across India, Ibtida caters to a discerning audience seeking exclusivity. Experience is special about planning. “We don’t give artists a set and ask them to replicate it. It’s not plug-and-play. Each edition is fully curated – you enter a world we’ve created. For us, it’s about reviving and restoring art in different formats.”
The April edition, part of their archival series, will showcase the Nizami Bandhu, blending Hyderabadi roots with Sufi strains. Ibtida plans only for three months at a time. “We don’t want it to feel like a road show. The best things have a sense of surprise and scarcity,” he says.
As these renditions shape new cultural narratives, expansion is already visible. Ibtida plans to launch a culinary vertical this year, while hosting Once Upon India-Bengali and Gujarati meetings-More regional variants may be discovered in the coming months.
published – February 26, 2026 11:04 am IST