At the intersection of art, gender, and history lies a powerful yet often overlooked chapter of Indian music, one shaped by the gaanewalis and tawaifs who once graced the mehfils and baithaks of India’s cultural heartlands.

These women were not merely entertainers but sophisticated artists, custodians of Hindustani semi-classical traditions such as Thumri, Dadra, Ghazal, Hori, and Kajri. They held court with mastery and grace, shaping musical forms with emotional depth and technical finesse. And yet, their voices were systematically marginalised, drowned out by colonial morality and the reshaping of national identity in the early 20th century.

Royal Opera House Mumbai, Avid Learning, Utsaav by Gargi, and Wide Wings Media present ‘O Gaanewali – Celebrating the Women of Thumri, Dadra, and Ghazal’. Conceptualised and written by Avanti Patel, a top 9 finalist of Indian Idol Season 10, this soul-stirring performance honours the lives and legacies of these forgotten icons. Through evocative live music, engaging storytelling, and richly researched anecdotes, the show breathes new life into the work of pioneering women such as Gauhar Jaan, Raasoolan Bai, Janki Bai, Shobha Gurtu, Begum Akhtar, and others whose artistry shaped the cultural imagination of their times.

The concert marks the live debut and release of the first track from the EP: O Gaanewali Session 1—‘Muddat Hui Hai Yaar Ko’, a ghazal penned by Mirza Ghalib and immortalised by Iqbal Bano. The song will be officially released during the concert, with the rest of the EP unveiled in a staggered release every two weeks. This deeply emotive project reimagines traditional forms like Thumri, Dadra, and Ghazal through a classic yet contemporary lens, rooted in authenticity, yet accessible to today’s listeners. Presented in a conversational mix of Hindi and English, the performance invites contemporary audiences into a world of music that is intimate, haunting, and revelatory.

O Gaanewali has a changing repertoire- something that encourages audience members to keep coming back. They have previously performed Chha Rahi Kali Ghata, Aye Muhobbat Tere Anjaam Pe Rona Aya, Rangi Sari and many more.

The lead vocalists share a deep musical lineage. Both Avanti Patel and Rutuja Lad are students of Padmashri Vidushi Dr. Ashwini Bhide Deshpande and carry the artistic inheritance of her aunt, Sarla Bhide, a senior disciple of the legendary Shobha Gurtu. They will be accompanied on stage by musicians Akshay Jadhav (on Tabla), Apoorv Petkar (on Harmonium), and Sandeep Mishra (on Sarangi).

The production is directed by Mallika Singh and Meghana AT, with show management by Kushal Khot (Wide Wings Media), lighting design by Saurabh Mahajan, and backstage support from Shubhi Rao and Vedika Singh.

What began as a live performance in 2022 has since grown into a national movement. With over 55 successful shows across India, O Gaanewali has evolved into a resonant platform for musicianship, storytelling, and the reclamation of women's voices in Indian music history.

Join us on this journey to listen, reflect, and carry the story forward with us, celebrating the creative spirit of women and reconnecting with music that once echoed through history

Details:

Where: Royal Opera House, Mama Parmanand Marg, Mumbai - 400004

When: Saturday, 7th June 2025 | 7:30 PM – 9:00 PM

Tickets: www.ticketkhidakee.com (Rs. 499 onwards)