Small intimate music soirees or baithaks are once again becoming a place to go to the lovers of classical music, especially in the national capital, which has a long tradition of patronizing arts. These drawing rooms, or private gardens were held, followed by food and artist with leisurely. The audience had an aristocratic meeting of friends of friends. Writer and connoisseur Sheela Dhar has written about these celebrations on music in his anecdote books.
Families like Shri Ram, Mathers and Bahadur regularly catch Bathk in their homes. In the 1960s, the Bathk of the ambush Naina Devi of Thumri was attended by Cagnocyanti. In recent times, it is Vinod Kapoor and Anita Singh among others. The evenings were elite and exclusive.
Known as VSK Baithak, for years, hosts Vinod Kapoor have depicted several famous artists in his well -present Baathak. In the last one year, curator from young music lovers has joined the Bathk Bandwagan, shattering all the criteria of a traditional Bathk. Ticket Bathk, open to all, especially targeted for a younger generation, who had no risk to classical music, gaining rapid popularity. Tickets priced at Rs 1,500 and above do not find young listeners to experience this intimate and informal concert settings. Now it is not just called Bithk, they go by trendy names in English.
Vsk Baithaks in Delhi, which began in 1998 by Vinod Kapoor. , Photo Credit: Special Arrangement
Artists also see it as a welcome place and are even ready to charge low fees to encourage such undertakings. But New-Ej Bathk creates a different kind of challenge for them. These sessions now attract a mixed audience, including listeners for the first time. So artists have to tailor their concerts to appeal to a diverse group.
In Vasant Kunj, ‘Upstayer Slugus’ has organized more than nine concerts programs in a gap of six months. Although the space is small and is located on the top-level of an apartment without a lift, the heat of the hosts is attracted to the heat-sun and spasms.
Saysya says, “A combination of a home-cooked food with tickets is a necessity, which suggests that for young listeners,” I can be tedious to go back home to order food “. This gives a chance to meet the audience, eat together and discuss music. Upstaiswithus also allows their dogs in concerts, some extent it is a dispute and some extent it Does. Sarodist-Composer Soumik Dutta, who recently performed here, was bravely managed here with the basic home amplification sound system.
The success of his enterprise has encouraged Sukanya to organize a training session as to how to operate a Baathak and weekend vocal training workshops. Moving forward, the couple planned to introduce the upstare, the merchandise. Its purpose seems to be connecting new listeners.
Soumik Dutta and Zuheb Ahmed in upstarswiths in Delhi. Photo Credit: Special Arrangement
In Delhi, there is another venture by a suburb out of Dwarka, unplugged in the evening, music lovers Varun and Soumya. As a child, Soumya was introduced to Bathk in Bhilai (Madhya Pradesh), as Acharya will regularly participate in such meetings in Bimalandu Mukherjee’s house. Since she wanted her two -year -old son to perform equally for classical music, Soumya decided to catch Baathk.
In the evening, unplugged also does not familiarize the audience as art. Recently, sitarist Saumitra Thakur played some excellent music with the explains of the viewers to the viewers. The professional sound system increased the concert experience. Here too, the evening included a simple home-ripe food and an interactive session between artists and listeners.
In the 1960s, Thumri Ghantank made a photo credits of hosting the popular Baathak at his residence: Photo courtesy: Naina Devi Foundation
According to Varun, since there is hardly any classical concert in Dwarka, “We thought of Beethk to reach music lovers in the area.”
Speaking after the performance, Soumitra said, “Young artists like me will have to create opportunities for themselves. They have to prepare ways to bring new audience into folds. Soumitra, who has established ‘Siddhiras’, hosts Baathk in Greater Kailash Colony.” This tradition will help preserve the soul of classical music. I think music finds its most difficult expression in such an environment, ”he said.
Another Bathk, which was bouncing in Delhi, includes Nadyatra in Gurgaon; And the common thread of these emphasizes on giving tickets to concerts. It also seems that music lovers are growing tired to listen to the same set of artists, in the space of an indiscriminate auditorium. They feel that simple sets of baithaks provide a more meaningful concert experience.
Published – August 19, 2025 02:08 pm IST
