How We Hear India

Why does a melody move us? This interactive session explores how rhythm, words, and the human voice shape the way we experience music, drawing on the book Band Baaja Bhava: A Musical Journey Across India. Through musical demonstrations, familiar tunes, and audience sing-alongs, it begins with bhava (emotion and expression) and rasa (the aesthetic experience evoked by art), inviting listeners into the melody itself. The session moves between live music and discourse, with the audience taking part throughout. A conversation follows on the ideas and experiences behind the book. Whether you are a lifelong music aficionado or curious to learn about why music moves us, this is an invitation to listen, participate, and discover India through its many musical genres.