The Hyderabad music club that has been been hitting all the right notes since 1956
The Guruvar Mandal, a music club in Hyderabad, has been hosting weekly Hindustani classical music sessions since 1956. Founded by Bhaskar Rao Udgirkar, the group continues to provide a space for professionals to perform and appreciate traditional music.
Why it matters
It highlights the preservation of cultural heritage and community-driven arts in an increasingly digitized and fast-paced urban environment.
Every Thursday, a group of professionals from Guruvar Mandal ('Thursday Group' in Hindi) gathers on the first floor of a house in New Nallakunta, Hyderabad. The weekly baithak begins at 9pm with the traditional invocation, Jai Jagadish Hare, before giving way to a two-hour Hindustani classical recital. IT professional Neha Kashikar Shailendra opens the evening with Dhoond Ban Saiyan in Raag Nand, followed by Ajahu Na Aaye in drut laya. Her father, Satish Kashikar, then takes over with the bandish Kaun Gat Bhayee in Raag Bageshri before moving through compositions in Shahana Kanada and Kafi. Chartered accountant Surendra Bharathi accompanies them on the harmonium, while Vivek Kayal, Shrikant Bhatlawande, Prashant Sardeshmukh, Vijay and Sandeep take turns on the tabla.
Pandit Jasraj regales listeners at Guruvar Mandal (right) with tabla maestro Shaikh Dawood Khan | Photo Credit: Special Arrangement
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