Mumbai experienced a memorable night of Hindustani classical music as Strings & Wind, presented by Kotak Private, played to a sold-out audience of over 1,000 patrons at the Jamshed Bhabha Theatre, NCPA.
The concert brought together two of India’s most revered maestros—legendary sitar virtuoso Ustad Shujaat Husain Khan and two-time Grammy Award–winning flautist Pandit Rakesh Chaurasia—in a rare and first-ever collaborative performance. The full-house evening reaffirmed Mumbai’s enduring patronage for Hindustani classical music and marked a defining moment in the debut tour of the Strings & Wind intellectual property.
Curated by Perfect Harmony Productions and Cisne for Arts, the concert followed a structured two-hour format. Each maestro presented an individual solo performance before culminating in an evocative jugalbandi that seamlessly blended melody, rhythm, improvisation, and emotional depth. Enhanced by the renowned acoustics of the National Centre for the Performing Arts (NCPA), the performance drew sustained engagement and enthusiastic appreciation from the audience. Light moments of humour punctuated the evening as the maestros reflected on the challenges of aligning schedules amid demanding national and international commitments.
Ustad Shujaat Husain Khan stated, “This evening was about musical trust and shared sensibility. Performing with young talented brother Rakesh in front of such a discerning Mumbai audience made the exchange deeply rewarding.”
Pandit Rakesh Chaurasia stated, “Strings & Wind creates a thoughtful space where tradition is honoured through dialogue and exploration. Sharing the stage with Ustad Shujaat ji at the NCPA, before a full house, was truly a privilege & learning experience.”
Abhinav Upadhyay, Founder, Perfect Harmony Productions, stated, “Strings & Wind was conceived as a long-term platform rooted in curatorial integrity and production excellence. Witnessing a sold-out Mumbai show with such legendary artists validates the intent and promise of this IP.”
Harini Madhira, Founder, Cisne for Arts and Events, stated, “Mumbai set a powerful benchmark for Strings & Wind. The audience response reaffirmed our belief that classical music, when presented with care and respect, continues to resonate strongly with today’s listeners.”
The evening concluded with a standing ovation, underscoring Kotak Private’s commitment to celebrating India’s living cultural heritage. Following its successful Mumbai chapter, Strings & Wind has firmly positioned itself as a premium platform for classical music, setting the stage for upcoming cities on the tour.
