Music has the power to transcend barriers, and Instrumelodies 2.0 proved just that on the evening of February 15th, as amateur yet passionate instrumentalists took center stage at Lajpat Bhavan Auditorium. The second edition of this unique musical extravaganza was a testament to the fact that talent, when given the right platform, can mesmerize and inspire beyond expectations.
Unlike conventional concerts featuring trained professionals, Instrumelodies was a heartfelt celebration of self-taught musicians, proving that dedication and passion are often the greatest teachers. The event featured a diverse lineup of performers, each bringing their unique styles and interpretations, ranging from flute, guitar, accordion, saxophone, harmonica to keyboards, sitars, tabla, drums, darbuka and more. Some musicians performed solo, while others collaborated in impromptu duets, making the evening even more dynamic and engaging.
The list of performers included : Tabassum, Dr. Arvind, Pritam Chandel on Saxophone; Gandharv Rajoria on Accordion; Shakti Kohli, Aditya Srivastava, Sajal Dhir, Inder Sharma, Anil Oberai on Harmonica; Hemant Joshi, Arun Sharma, Raja Guha, Prashant Das on Bansuri; Debanjan Chakraborty on Kalimba; Pankaj Sharma and Peter Baker on Guitar; Kanishk Bakshi on Darbuka; Anish Giri on Tabla; Utsav Misra on Keyboard and Ngatik on Drums. Creative Strings group led by Ratna Lahiri presented a group performance on Sitars while a unique fusion – Yamanica – composed by Nilanjan Sengupta with amateur musicians gathered thunderous applause.
One of the most remarkable highlights of the evening was 16-year-old Gandharv Rajoria, who, in an inspiring display of commitment, rushed to the venue immediately after finishing his 10th class examination to perform on the Accordion. His enthusiasm and dedication truly exemplified the spirit of the event. Another memorable moment was the debut of the Kalimba, a lesser-known African thumb piano, played by 20-year-old Debanjan Chakraborty. The audience was left awestruck by its ethereal, soothing tones, proving that music has endless possibilities beyond mainstream instruments. 70-year-old Anil Oberoi enchanted the audience with a ghazal – kisi nazar ko tera… on his harmonica.
The initiative, spearheaded by Notesandsargam and its visionary Prashant Das, was highly praised for its commitment to nurturing hidden talents. Many participants expressed their gratitude for having a stage to perform, particularly those who never had the opportunity to formally learn music. Instrumelodies has now become a beacon of hope for individuals who have long harbored musical aspirations but lacked a formal platform to showcase their skills.
The audience was enthralled throughout, lauding the efforts of every musician. One attendee remarked, “The performances were captivating from start to finish. The musicians showcased incredible talent, creating an intimate atmosphere that drew everyone in.” Another noted, “It’s heartwarming to see amateurs, who learned instruments on their own, perform with such confidence and passion.”
Beyond just being a musical event, Instrumelodies 2.0 carries a greater vision—to revive public interest in instrumental music, especially among children who often get lost in the digital world of gadgets and screens. By showcasing amateur musicians of all ages, it sends a powerful message: it’s never too late to learn, pursue, and share the joy of music.
With two successful seasons now in the books, Instrumelodies is steadily growing as a movement rather than just an event. Many are already eagerly looking forward to the next edition, hoping for an even grander celebration of passion-driven music.
All Performances Video
Panel Discussion Video