Aug 31 2025 to Aug 31 2025 11 a.m.

Where

Bangalore International Centre

7 4th Main Rd, Stage 2, Domlur 560071

Event Description

It was as only as recent as 2016 on a visit to the Dhrupad Mela in Benares that the Esperanto project discovered the mystical beauty of the river Ganga and the ghats of the world’s oldest living city and have been since mesmerised by its spirit and are visiting annually.

The connect with the peace pervading the banks of the Ganga has given rise to new music and they have been inspired to create a new bouquet of music. This album is named ‘Boat on the River’ a mystical representation of human life as a living, loving boat, that floats on forever.

This music in turn serendipitously connected them with the famous artist from Kolkata Asit Poddar who has also been visiting Benares and painting many works based on his muse awakened there. The paintings and music combine in music videos to express a glimpse of the mystique of Ganga Maiya. The album is proposed to be released at the Kala Yatra festival at Kashi on march 8, 2024. The group have embarked on a journey to share this experience around India and worldwide. They now conduct Art & Music Festivals on the Benares Ghats and other cities called Kala Yatri.

Supported by:

Performers

Geetha Navale
Veena
Geetha Navale has had the privilege of learning the ancient art of playing the veena under several renowned Gurus. She started her learning with Sri J. Anjaneyulu from the traditional Vijaynagaram school and continued under the legendary Sri R.K.Suryanarayan in Bangalore, where she moved to after her marriage to singer songwriter Gopal Navale. She now continues her musical journey under Vid. Sri. D. Balakrishna, the doyen of the Mysore Bani. She is open to recognising the beauty and power of other forms of music and along with her husband Gopal Navale, has established Esperanto, a project based at their music centre, Guruskool in Bangalore.

Gopal Navale
Vocals & Multi-Instruments
Gopal Navale​ is a compulsive musician with the uncanny ability to share his delight in music with the audience. His songs are very contextual, reacting profoundly to life around him. Being able to resonate with all forms of music he understands the underlying unity beyond culture specific styles and genres.

Sanketh
Guitar
Guitar Sanketh, a blues artist, music composer and an independent artist from Bangalore, has been performing music full time for the past 10 years and is now teaching at various institutions. He has completed his graduation in Biotechnology. He has performed across India and Abu Dhabi for the India Social & Cultural Center. He composed and performed music for a documentary on Sant Shishunala Sharif.  He now performs and records with his band Bluesghat and their recent viral song Maleraya is catching a lot of attention.

Thavil Rajkumar
Thavil
State awardee ‘Dhol Chakravarthy’ Thavil Rajkumar​ is acclaimed across Karnataka as the state’s pride. He is known for his powerful playing and the strong groove that he lends to any performance.

B Unnikrishnan
Harmonium
Hailing from a musical family in Kerala he learnt piano and western classical before finding his instrument of expression in the harmonium. Thus, one of the few harmonium players who understand harmony. He met the band in Kashi on Shivrathri.