Since the latter half of the 19th century, Mumbai has been a magnet for Hindustani classical musicians for patronage and appreciation. The city holds a vibrant ecosystem of Hindustani music, enriched by stories of masters who remain hidden yet deeply devoted to their art. At our Online Talk #TheCallOfMusic, vocalist and author Priya Purushothaman brings to light the journeys of select living musicians from the city such as Yogesh Samsi, Shubha Joshi, Shubhada Paradkar and Kala Ramnath whose lives are woven into the very fabric of Mumbai, reflecting the interplay of music, society, and tradition within a modern metropolis. She narrates their stories of sacrifice, perseverance, and the quest for an authentic artistic voice.

About the Speaker

Priya Purushothaman is a Hindustani vocalist trained under Vidushi Aditi Upadhya, Pandit Sudhindra Bhaumik, and Agra gharana stalwart Pandit Dinkar Kaikini. Over the past two decades, she has performed at prestigious venues across the world. She is the author of Living Music: Conversations with Pandit Dinkar Kaikini and, more recently, The Call of Music: 8 Stories of Hindustani Musicians. As an educator, she works with students globally and is the creator of the children’s podcast Music & Masti.