<p>Varanasi: The 102-year-old Sankat Mochan Sangeet Samaroh, a celebration of classical music, began here with a soulful flute recital by Padma Vibhushan awardee Pandit Hariprasad Chaurasia, accompanied by Sankat Mochan temple mahant Vishwambhar Nath Mishra on the 'pakhawaj' (a barrel-shaped two-headed drum).</p>.<p>Being held in the historic premises of the Sankat Mochan Hanuman temple, the six-day festival began on Wednesday evening and will go on till April 21.</p>.<p>Known for its spiritual depth and artistic excellence, the event will feature performances by 11 Padma awardees and 16 emerging artists. A number of Muslim artists will also perform, continuing the tradition of inclusivity that has defined the festival since its inception.</p>.<p>"The Sankat Mochan Sangeet Samaroh is not just about music, it is a medium to connect with Lord Hanuman," Mishra said.</p>.Couples marrying against parents' wishes can't claim police protection as right: Allahabad High Court.<p>"This is the 102nd edition and just like the event's legacy, the audience too is steeped in tradition. Some listeners have been attending for 60 to 80 years without missing a single season," he said.</p>.<p>The festival began in 1923 and has grown from a modest one-night affair to a six-night cultural gala held annually around Hanuman Jayanti.</p>.<p>"This festival is a cherished expression of Kashi's ancient musical heritage," Mishra said.</p>.<p>"Legends like Ghulam Ali, Anup Jalota, Pandit Kishan Maharaj, Hariprasad Chaurasia and the Rajan-Sajan Mishra duo have graced this stage," he said.</p>.<p>Besides Pandit Hariprasad Chaurasia, this year's line-up includes celebrated names like Anup Jalota, Pandit Sajan Mishra, Suresh Talwalkar, Pandit Dharmanath Mishra, Ravi Shankar Mishra, Salil Bhatt, Nagraj Adiga Madhvappa and Ajay Chakraborty.</p>.<p>In keeping with tradition, the festival continues to promote cultural unity, with six Muslim artists among this year's line-up of performers. These include tabla maestro Ustad Akram Khan, vocalist Samiullah Khan, and sitarists Rais Khan, Ustad Mehtab Ali Niazi and Armaan Khan.</p>.<p>The organisers said that while the festival is deeply rooted in religious sentiment, it remains open to all, celebrating the shared language of music that transcends boundaries. </p>
<p>Varanasi: The 102-year-old Sankat Mochan Sangeet Samaroh, a celebration of classical music, began here with a soulful flute recital by Padma Vibhushan awardee Pandit Hariprasad Chaurasia, accompanied by Sankat Mochan temple mahant Vishwambhar Nath Mishra on the 'pakhawaj' (a barrel-shaped two-headed drum).</p>.<p>Being held in the historic premises of the Sankat Mochan Hanuman temple, the six-day festival began on Wednesday evening and will go on till April 21.</p>.<p>Known for its spiritual depth and artistic excellence, the event will feature performances by 11 Padma awardees and 16 emerging artists. A number of Muslim artists will also perform, continuing the tradition of inclusivity that has defined the festival since its inception.</p>.<p>"The Sankat Mochan Sangeet Samaroh is not just about music, it is a medium to connect with Lord Hanuman," Mishra said.</p>.Couples marrying against parents' wishes can't claim police protection as right: Allahabad High Court.<p>"This is the 102nd edition and just like the event's legacy, the audience too is steeped in tradition. Some listeners have been attending for 60 to 80 years without missing a single season," he said.</p>.<p>The festival began in 1923 and has grown from a modest one-night affair to a six-night cultural gala held annually around Hanuman Jayanti.</p>.<p>"This festival is a cherished expression of Kashi's ancient musical heritage," Mishra said.</p>.<p>"Legends like Ghulam Ali, Anup Jalota, Pandit Kishan Maharaj, Hariprasad Chaurasia and the Rajan-Sajan Mishra duo have graced this stage," he said.</p>.<p>Besides Pandit Hariprasad Chaurasia, this year's line-up includes celebrated names like Anup Jalota, Pandit Sajan Mishra, Suresh Talwalkar, Pandit Dharmanath Mishra, Ravi Shankar Mishra, Salil Bhatt, Nagraj Adiga Madhvappa and Ajay Chakraborty.</p>.<p>In keeping with tradition, the festival continues to promote cultural unity, with six Muslim artists among this year's line-up of performers. These include tabla maestro Ustad Akram Khan, vocalist Samiullah Khan, and sitarists Rais Khan, Ustad Mehtab Ali Niazi and Armaan Khan.</p>.<p>The organisers said that while the festival is deeply rooted in religious sentiment, it remains open to all, celebrating the shared language of music that transcends boundaries. </p>