Pranav Birje | Senior Correspondent
In a historic moment for Indian music, JHALAA, a brand new raga-based music ensemble, is set to be unveiled at the prestigious WAVES Summit in Mumbai on May 1st. Featuring an ensemble of 12 exceptionally gifted musicians 6 women (singers-dancers) and 6 men (singers & multi-instrumentalists) JHALAA blends the timeless soul of raga-based music with a fresh, contemporary spirit, making this rich tradition both accessible and deeply resonant for today’s audiences.
The name JHALAA, drawn from the Hindustani classical lexicon, refers to the exhilarating climax of a raga – a fast paced, rhythmically intense finale that leaves listeners breathless. True to its name, the band embodies this electrifying energy, channeling the emotional depth and layered textures of raga-based music in a way that is both innovative and rooted in tradition.
This landmark initiative is the flagship project under the Bharat Maestro(a) Awards, launched earlier this year by music legend AR Rahman to celebrate India’s musical heritage and uplift the next generation of classical musicians. Curated by Rahman himself, JHALAA was formed through a global talent search that received more than 500 entries, ultimately bringing together the finest young artists formally trained in Indian classical music and classical dance forms.
“In the golden eras of Indian classical music, ragas drew inspiration from nature, the seasons, and the changing tides of human emotion. JHALAA seeks to rekindle that connection offering an immersive experience that weaves the moods of nature and the rhythms of life into every performance,” said award-winning composer Khatija Rahman, who, alongside music director & BMA’s Advisory Board Member Sai Shravanam and Kannika Urs, Project Head of Jhalaa & Head of KM Musiq, has worked passionately to bring this vision to life.
JHALAA will feature only live, all-natural instrumentation, with no pre-recorded tracks or digital layering. Each performance will present the raw, powerful essence of unique compositions from legendary gharanas of India, including works by Padma Bhushan Ustad Bade Ghulam Ali Khan Saab, Oothukkaadu Venkata Subbaiyyar, Guni Gandharva Pt. Laxmanprasad Jaipurwale, Padma Vibhushan Ghulam Mustafa Khan Saab, Kunwar Shyam Ji, and the saint Amir Khusrau Rahmatullah, along with additional compositions by AR Rahman.
The launch event is expected to be graced by the Honourable Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, who is anticipated to attend the ensemble’s inaugural performance at the WAVES Summit—a premier global platform celebrating innovation in culture, art, and technology.
“JHALAA’s music is curated with great care to expand the audience for Indian classical art forms. Our aim is to reignite a deep love for raga-based music in the hearts of young Indians and global audiences alike. By forming this collective, we are exploring infinite possibilities to discover new combinations of Indian sound,” Khatija added.
The grand unveiling at the WAVES Summit marks the beginning of JHALAA’s journey, with national and international performances planned for the year ahead.
JHALAA features: Ambadi M. A, Mayuri Saha, Abby V, Antara Nandy, Sudeep Jaipurwale, Karamjeet Madonna, Jaydeep Vaidya, Sivasri Skandaprasad, Faiz Mustafa, Aishwarya Meenakshi, Steven Samuel Devassy and Divya Nayar.
Vocal Supervisors: Pt. Bhavdeep Jaipurwale, Dr. Narayanan K.
Music Supervisor: Sarthak Kalyani