Pt. Ulhas Kashalkar with ITC-SRA faculty members during the recording of Desh Ek Raag 2.0
| Photo Credit: Courtesy: ITC-SRA
ITC Sangeet Research Academy (ITC SRA) returns with Desh Ek Raag 2.0, a soulful musical tribute to India on the occasion of its 79th Independence Day. Building on the success of last year’s release, Desh Ek Raag, which brought together gurus, scholars and students in a heart-touching rendition, this track too celebrates the rich legacy of Indian classical arts along with the message of unity. Inspired by raag Desh and immortalised through the patriotic strains of Vande Maataram, it highlights the message of unity in diversity through seamless collaboration among different art forms.
According to veteran ITC-SRA Guru and renowned Hindustani vocalist Pandit Ajoy Chakrabarty, “Over the decades, the institution, with the patronage of ITC, has been training young enthusiasts in various musical forms. Desh Ek Raag 2 pays tribute to the nation through the age-old guru-sishya parampara. The initiative aims to communicate the values and significance of this tradition to a wider digital audience, emphasising its enduring relevance.”
Talking about the experience of working on the project, ITC-SRA guru, sarod exponent and the music director of Desh Ek Raag 2 Abir Hossain said, “Projects like these remind us the power of music in uniting people and expressing the spirit of our nation. This year, I chose to bring together a completely new team of talented young scholars and faculty members of the institution along with other gurus and artistes. They have lent their unique artistry to the project.
Pt. Ajoy Chakrabarty with students during the shoot
| Photo Credit:
Courtesy: ITC-SRA
Desh Ek Raag 2 features a formidable line up of artistes, including Pt. Ajoy Chakrabarty, Pt. Ulhas Kashalkar, Pt. Partha Chatterjee, Subhra Guha, Pt. Uday Bhawalkar, Omkar Dadarkar, Brajeswar Mukherjee and Pt. Suresh Talwalkar. The singing is accompanied by Sarwar Hussain on the sarangi, Band Prithibi has given the Indian classical set up a touch of the contemporary with its orchestration.
Desh Ek Raag 2 has been recorded at ITCSRA’s state-of-the-art studio by Avee Bhattacharya. The Music Video has been directed by Chandrasish Ray, a budding Indian Filmmaker, and it is presented in collaboration with creative agency Genesis Advertising Pvt Ltd, Kolkata.
Sanjiv Puri, chairman, ITC, which has backed the project, said, “the company takes great pride in being part of initiatives that foster time-tested values of unity and compassion, while preserving the country’s cultural heritage.”
Recorded at ITC-SRA’s state-of-the-art studio by Avee Bhattacharya, Desh Ek Raag 2, which has been directed by young filmmaker Chandrasish Ray,also marks the institution’s 50-year journey in working towards the cause of art and culture.
Published – August 14, 2025 07:41 pm IST
