ITC launches 'Desh Ek Raag' as a musical tribute to the nation

On the occasion of India’s 78^th Independence Day, ITC has paid tribute to the Nation with the creation of a unique musical composition ‘Desh Ek Raag’ performed by the Gurus and Shishyas of the ITC Sangeet Research Academy (ITC-SRA). 

The soul-stirring composition captures the confluence of Hindustani Classical Music forms, rooted in the cultural traditions of the country. The musical ensemble innovatively combines western and Indian instrumental accompaniments to play Hindustani Classical tunes in order to contemporise Indian classical music for the younger generations.

The composition, rendered in a musical video, was shared by Sanjiv Puri, chairman of ITC, through a post on LinkedIn today. He is also the Chairman of the Board of Trustees of ITC-SRA. Performed by ITC-SRA Gurus and scholars, in collaboration with other artists, the special composition is an ode to the Nation, in which Parampara and Pragati (Tradition & Progress); Viraasat and Vikas (Heritage & Development) go hand-in hand.

In line with ITC's credo of 'Nation First: Sab Saath Badhein', which underscores the Company's core belief in creating inclusive and enduring value for the nation, the Desh Ek Raag initiative is testimony to ITC’s commitment to contribute meaningfully to preserve, nurture and promote India’s rich heritage of Hindustani Classical Music. Crafted by some of ITC-SRA’s Gurus, the special composition is based on Raag Desh, which is an integral part of Vande Mataram – the National Song of India.

Speaking about the initiative, Sanjiv Puri, Chairman, ITC, said, “I am delighted that, as a tribute to our country on the occasion of the 78^th Independence Day, ITC Sangeet Research Academy has created a special composition, presented in the form of a music video ‘Desh Ek Raag – an Ode to the Nation’. This musical masterpiece by the talented scholars of ITC-SRA draws inspiration from Raag Desh, stirring a profound sense of pride and admiration for our great nation. ITC-SRA has been enriched over the years by India’s acclaimed Gurus who have imparted precious knowledge and training through a unique Guru-Shishya Parampara that embodies the country’s rich heritage,”

The musical video showcases the Gurus and scholars performing at the picturesque ITC-SRA campus in Kolkata. The ensemble video features musical maestros and eminent scholars of ITC-SRA including Pandit Ajoy Chakrabarty, Vidushi Subhra Guha, Pandit Omkar Dadarkar, along with the creators of the composition, Shri Abir Hossain and Shri Brajeswar Mukherjee.

The selection of young artists, varied instruments and diverse musical genres from across the country for the composition is testimony to the confluence of ‘the modern’ and ‘the traditional’ in today’s India.  Through the unifying power of music, the video seeks to convey the core ethos of ITC-SRA - to keep Hindustani Classical Music relevant among newer generations of music lovers.