When music transcends borders

If the foreigners and non-resident Gujaratis (NRGs) attending Saptak 2012 are to be believed, attending this longest musical festival of India is no less than attending God's palace which has the best musicians playing and vocalists singing for the Almighty.

"Saptak takes me to the world of dev darbaar with gandharvas performing, be it instruments or vocals. This is my first visit which happened by chance, but I intend on making it an annual affair," said Ravi Gor (63) from New Jersey.

Gor has a collection of 3,000 cassettes, including 200 of classical
music. He added, "Nearly 20 years back I bought a cassette which had raagas for morning, evening and night. It is an absolute delight to listen to artistes of all genres. The very fact that Manjuben (Mehta, organiser of Saptak) is passing this rich culture to the younger lot is very encouraging."

Saptak came to her by chance but an ardent fan of classical music, photographer, Heidi Specker from Germany has had the time of her life at the musical extravaganza. She said, "I have always been interested in classical music for the sheer joy and peace it gives to the mind. Being part of Saptak is an excellent feeling and gives me lot of exposure."

For Alan Tootill (64) from Devon, England, this fourth year has given him friends with similar interest and knowledge on classical music.

Tootill said, "I have been attending musical festivals regularly, but at Saptak the atmosphere is different. This is mainly because it is the longest music festival of the country and secondly we get to see and hear a mixed bag of artists on a single platform, from young to grand masters."

Although Stan Sesser (68) from New York has participated in classical nights down south in Chennai for six years, this time he has stayed back for Saptak 2012. "Every year during Christmas, in Chennai there is Carnatic music festival which I attend. This time, a friend of mine told me about Saptak and I decided to be part of this. The experience is breathtaking and spell-binding," Sesser said.

Sesser finds Indian classical music to be a parallel universe. "I feel as if I am on a different planet enjoying listening to never-before-heard music. In fact, western instruments such as the cello which I saw and heard yesterday, could also be part of this wonderful world and completely mix within the same. It is a rewarding experience and I want every western classical musician to attend Saptak.”