Barkha Ritu - Chennai

For centuries, the monsoon season has served as a bountiful source of inspiration to the finest music minds belonging to the Indian Classical Music traditions. This, in turn, led to the creation of several soulful Raagas such as Malhar, Des, Megharanjani, and Varunapriya, to name a few.

Typically, these Raagas explore all the varying moods associated with the experience of the rains and are usually performed during the monsoon months. Built on this very essence, Banyan Tree envisioned the concept of ‘Barkha Ritu – a musical celebration with the maestros’ -- developing a grand celebration of music that encapsulates all the emotions that the rains evoke in us. A host of renowned artists have performed at this festival, and they have all had the opportunity to present their own creative renditions of the Monsoon Raagas.

Now entering its 25th year, Banyan Tree’s ‘Barkha Ritu’ has truly cemented itself as a celebration of the monsoons, also enabling the propagation of India’s rich intangible heritage.