Maestros on Saptak
Since the beginning of my musical career in the early Forties, I remember how Ahmedabad was reputed to be one of the most unmusical cities in Northern India, in spite of the fact that some rich families and individuals tried their best to promote classical music! The standard joke was that the only music Ahmedbadis liked was Rupiya Ki Jhankar (the tinkling sound of the Silver rupees!). But since Nandan, Manju Mehta along with Smt Rupande Shah, Smt. Bhartiben Parikh and Prof.D.D. Trivedi launched Saptak in 1980 things started changing gradually and today Ahmedabad can boast to have appreciative lovers of classical music, in par with many other cities. This is also due to SAPTAK as an institution that has trained and created many musical students all through these years. I feel happy to have been performing from the very first of its' session! I send my congratulations along with my blessings to all the trustee members of Saptak.

Pandit Ravi Shankar


Pandit Jasraj


Girija Devi


Shivkumar Sharma


Hariprasad Chaurasia


Gangubai Hangal

I am so happy to know that the Saptak School of music, Which itself is a legendary name now, is entering its Silver Jubilee Year. This is one of the only remaining schools in India that has a history of propagating and reviving our age-old Indian Classical music legacy.The moment one hears any student from this school, one can see the distinguished mark of Saptak. The training imparted to the young students of music is truly remarkable. In the past, I myself have heard some of these talented youngsters at the festival.The Saptak Festival itself is a landmark event. It can never escape the Indian cultural calendar. Perhaps no where in India we have a festival that goes on over a week! Intact, I have come across people all over the world who plan their trip to India around the festival.My heartiest congratulations to Shri Nandan Mehta alongwith Smt.Manju Mehta, Smt.Rupande Shah,Smt. Bharati Parikh and Prof.D.D.Trivedi for their unique and commendable contribution. I pray to almighty that may the Saptak School and the Festival go to greater heights in the years to come. My elder brother, Pandit Kishan Maharajji is indeed fortunate to have a true and dedicated disciple like Shri Nandan Mehta to carry forward the Banaras Gharana tradition. My wife Subhalakshmi and my sons Amaan and Ayaan join me in sending their love and good wishes.

Amjad Ali Khan


Umayalpuram K.Sivaraman,Pandit Kishan Maharaj


Kishori Amonkar


Shobha Gurtu


Birju Maharaj


Leena Sarabhai


Prof.Niranjan Bhagat


Dr.Smt. N.Rajam, Dr.Smt.Sangeeta Shankar

It has been often remarked that whilst Gujarat State has exhibited admirable capabilities and produced outstanding artistes in the field of dance and painting, for some unfathomable reasons it has lagged behind in the field of music as compared to other States in India. SAPTAK is an institution which has defied this criticism and proved to the music world that the patronage in the field of music coupled with highly educational pursuits is not a monopoly of some. As it enters its 25th year of existence, we salute SAPTAK as musicians, for the yeoman service it has rendered to the cause of music, through organizing unique and outstanding music festivals and imparting music education to hundreds of aspiring students, through its academy. We congratulate this remarkable institution and wish SAPTAK many years of still greater success.

Pandit Arvind Parikh


Rajan-Sajan Mishra

In completing 24 years of dedicated service to the cause of Indian classical music, Saptak is sure to earn the admiration and gratitude of countless students of Indian music such as myself. With its unfailing, steadfast commitment to Indian Classical music, Saptak is an inspiration for all those concerned with imparting knowledge, and preserving and promoting Indian music despite the steady decline in patronage for such activities. The annual music festival organised by Saptak has, year after year provided a platform for artistes, young and old; up coming and established as maestros to share their music with music lovers of Gujarat. Even as festivals of Indian classical music in other parts of the country are being forced to curtail their activities due to lack of patrons and sponsors, the ten-day long Saptak Festival has grown to become one of the biggest festivals in the country. I am certain that this has been possible only because of the tenacity and hard work of Shri Nandan Mehta and his dedicated team. It is not uncommon to hear praises being showered on Saptak by music lovers who have migrated to other parts of the world. This would not have been achieved without the constant supervision the school has received from Shri Nandan Mehta, who has been ably supported by Manjuben, Rupaben, Bhartiben, D.D.Trivedi & Others. I feel privileged to have been a performer at the Saptak festival and wish the Saptak family the very best in all its future endeavors.

Shubha Mudgal

We are pleased to know, that 'Saptak' has completed twenty four years of its glorious musical heritage. Saptak has indeed made a monumental contribution to the cause of Indian Classical Music, to say the least. The work that Saptak has done, has proved immensely efficacious, in promoting Indian music. Saptak perhaps is the only organisation in India, which conducts music concerts, for a continuous stretch of ten days, or even fifteen to twenty days, at times. All artists, great or budding, have considered it prestigious to participate in concerts, organised by Saptak. Saptak also imparts good training and education in Indian Music, - in Sitar, in Tabla, Vocal music, etc.. and performers who have emerged from these undertakings, have indeed been performing well. On the occasion of Silver Jubilee celebrations of Saptak, I invoke the benedictions, that Saptak may grow, in the cause of Indian Classical Music, for more and ever more, in the years to come.

Shahid Parvez

It gives me a great pleasure to congratulate "Saptak" a leading institute of music in Ahmedabad established in the year 1980 and going to celebrate its silver jubilee next year. I understand, in the coming year Saptak is going to celebrate its great success throughout the year for which they have an ambitious programme, where all the leading artists of India will participate.The institution has earned a name for its contribution in the field of training Indian Classical performing art forms under the able guidance of five trustees including the well known sitar player Mrs.Manju Mehta and Tabla Vidwan Shri Nandan Mehta, a dedicated disciple of Pt.Kishan Maharajji alongwith Smt.Rupande Shah, Smt. Bhartiben Parikh and Prof.D.D.Trivedi. It is a matter of great achievement that Saptak has produced many good and performing students who are now performing and established as a good performer in the domain of music. I wish this celebration a great success and also wish Saptak its bright future. May God bless Saptak and bless you all.

Debu Chaudhuri

It is a great pleasure for every music lover to know that the Saptak School of performing Arts is celebrating 25`" year of its existence with the Silver Jubilee Celebration being conducted year long. Music is the fundamental demand of every human being which adds to the interpretation and completeness of life. Life without music would be intolerable and inconceivable. Thus the immense need for music education being felt by a group of keen music lovers and artists ultimately culminated in to a trust of the 'Saptak School of performing Arts' and the school came into existence. The Saptak School is successfully functioning for the last two and half decades under the able supervision and guidance of the trustees and Teachers like Smt. Rupandeben Shah, Manju Mehta, Bhartiben Parikh, Shri Nandanbhai Mehta and Shri Trivediji. Shri H.C.Kapasiji a managing Trustee of Vidyanagar High School also plays a pleasing note in the Saptak. Providing education of music as a performing art every emphasis is given on practical performance. Thus by projecting the practical aspect of music a new class of musicians with a difference is going to be created in future who will be adept in all the aspects of this performing art. As a part of this, various concerts demonstrations of reputed artists are frequently conducted on the largest possible scale year long wherein artists from all over India participate. The events simultaneously help in entertaining the music lovers, listeners in general and create awareness for classical music among students in particular, at the same time teachers in "Saptak School" are ever ready to offer and provide help of any kind to their students and exert to discover new talents from among the students and spread music to all strata of the society. The school holds Felicitations of great and renowned personalities from the field of vocal and instrumental music and also the young talented promising up coming artists to encourage them in their efforts. I have therefore, no double that the school has still a brighter future ahead.

Pt.Arun Kashalkar

Saptak has been an experience both emotional and learning. Music is essential for emotional enrichment and needs no articulation. Saptak is an exercise in institute building especially in the area which is so nebulous and intangible. Today Saptak is a brand equity in Hindustan Classical music and this has been possible through passionate involvement of Mr. Nandan Mehta and the organisational and managerial support of other trustees and supporters. To sustain an organisation for more than 25 years in an area of Indian Classical music is a wonder. I remember the days when the music programmes were held in the small hall of Mithakhali with seating capacity of hardly 300 (about 200 sat around) to a big hall bursting at its seams trying to accommodate more than 3000 pepole many of them trying to have a look at the performing artists with the help of closed circuit TVs. The festival is unique lasting through more than 10 days. The artists perform before large number of fellow maestros, besides and appreciative audience. Therefore the desire to excel and the opportunity to be inspired by the fellow masteros and 'Guru' always pervaded in the Saptak Baithaks. I wonder at the physical stamina of Ahmedabadis who come night after night besides the emotional and spiritual hunger which they brings to these Baithaks. I would have been a dull person in Ahmedabad but for Saptak

Vijay Ranchan


Devavrat N. Pathak

My acquaintance with Ahmedabad at an intimate level started from 1978, I came straight from a central posting at Calcutta. Naturally the memories were fresh. I searched for certain items, which I valued at Calcutta, one of them being Hindustani Classical music. Calcutta is dotted with music schools big or small, good or bad, known or not so known. Walking through any part of the Bengali area of the city early morning would bring in yours ears in tune or out of tune "RIYAZ' of the aspirants. My duty took me through the lanes and by-lanes for Ahmedabad. However, I failed to notice any music school initially. After some more acquaintance, I discovered one such school near Ellis Bridge and still later one called SAPTAK. I came to know the latter institution more & more with the passing of years. They used to organise some music festivals, which I looked forward to Gradually their festival acquired a pan Indian status. As on today the artists of Hindustani music, both vocal and instrumental would definitely love to take part in this festival. Every body knows this, thanks to the media. But what is not much known is the silent revolution brought about by this school in the musical scenario of Ahmedabad, creating a music awareness in the younger and not so young generations inculcating a sense of value to be attached to good music. Further the school has also led to the creation of a new genre of music appreciating and discerning connoisseurs. These are the singular contributions of the Saptak deserving a chapter in the socio cultural history of the city. Behind this, is a group of dedicated self effacing men and women. Perhaps they themselves are not aware of the change that has been brought in. I look forward to the annual inundation of Saptak Festival and to live the remaining part of the year in its flood plains.

P.K.Ghosh - I.A.S.(Retd.)

 
 
 

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