Garhwal Post Bureau
Dehradun, July 5: Dehradun witnessed an intimate celebration of music, poetry and shared nostalgia as Sukoon, a curated baithak by Once Upon India, transformed an evening at The Sky Lounge, Centrio Mall into a memorable cultural experience. The event brought together lovers of ghazals, classic Hindi melodies and poetry in a warm setting that emphasised connection over spectacle.
The evening began with the guests interacting over cups of chai before the baithak unfolded through music, stories and poetry. After a brief refreshment break, the second half continued with soulful performances and concluded on a note of collective nostalgia.
Vocalist Utkarsh Sharma, trained in the traditions of the Indore and Banaras gharanas, presented a repertoire of Jagjit Singh’s timeless ghazals and even some of the evergreen melodies popularised by Kishore Kumar as well as poetry by Gulzar. Accompanied by sarangi, tabla, guitar and harmonium, Sharma’s understated performance recreated the charm of a traditional baithak, where the audience gradually became an integral part of the musical experience. As the evening progressed, many listeners joined in softly before eventually singing together, reinforcing the spirit of togetherness that defines such gatherings.
The organisers said ‘Sukoon’ is designed not as a conventional concert but as an immersive cultural experience where music, poetry, storytelling and memories come together. Built around warmth and human connection rather than elaborate production, the format seeks to revive the essence of traditional baithaks by allowing audiences to engage closely with the artistes.
The Dehradun edition also marked another milestone in the journey of Once Upon India, founded by Arpita Sharma, Shiva Sureka and Malini Arora. The platform began nearly two years ago with a Pahadi Baithak in Delhi featuring an artiste from Uttarakhand and has since hosted more than 40 curated cultural evenings across India. It is presently taking the concept to audiences across the country through a 20-city tour dedicated to intimate baithaks and mehfils celebrating India’s rich musical and literary traditions.
The evening concluded with the audience joining Utkarsh Sharma in the final rendition, underlining the enduring appeal of shared musical experiences.
