With Holi around the corner, it’s almost impossible to scroll down Instagram without singer Kavita Seth’s soulful Rangi saari gulaabi chunariya serenading every other Reel. Long before songs could go viral, it was Hindustani classical songstress Shobha Gurtu who originally gave voice to the semi-classical composition. Lending it an irresistible romantic charm with the abhinaya in her voice, she transformed the composition into a classic. Like Gurtu, there are several women singer-composers or gaanewalis who championed semi-classical forms like thumri, dadra and ghazal. Titled O Gaanewali, an upcoming mehfil-style concert in Bandra will celebrate these genres and their women performers.

Originally crafted as a virtual performance during the lockdown for Harkat Studios, with the support of The Goethe Institut, Max Mueller Bhavan, the production is written and conceptualised by musician Avanti Patel. It is directed by Mallika Singh and Meghana AT. Along with vocalist Rutuja Lad, Akshay Jadhav on the tabla, Apoorva Petkar on the harmonium and Ejaz Hussain on the sarangi, Patel will bring alive the golden era of songstresses such as Gurtu, Gauhar Jaan, Janakibai, Raasoolan Bai and Begum Akhtar, among others, in an intimate baithak-inspired setting at the charming Bandra bungalow-turned-culture house, Art & Charlie. The troupe also has performances lined up at Prabodhankar Thackeray Mini Auditorium in Borivali, and Dr Kashinath Ghanekar Mini Auditorium, Thane, on March 8 and 11, respectively.