EVENT : RAGAS BY THE RIVER RETURNS WITH ITS THIRD EDITION

– HONOURING THE LINEAGES THAT SHAPED INDIAN CLASSICAL MUSIC

TTT NEWS NETWORK

CORBETT ( UTTARAKHAND) | 2 FEBRUARY 2026

Where the quiet waters of the Kosi mirror the ancient pulse of Hindustani ragas, Ragas by the River – India’s only riverside residential classical music festival returns for its much-anticipated third edition. Held from 20–22 March 2026, this season embraces the theme Celebrating Legacies-honouring the gharanas, maestros and timeless traditions that continue to define Indian classical music.

“What makes this festival truly unique is its passionately curated, intimate experience – where some of India’s finest classical musicians perform in settings that elevate both artists and audiences, amid the serene beauty of nature and the breathtaking Corbett landscape. The festival is a harmonious confluence of soulful music and the gracious hospitality of The Riverview Retreat & Taj Corbett Resort & Spa. Season 3 is a thoughtfully curated edition, Celebrating Legacies, honouring the legends of yesteryears who have shaped Indian classical and allied genres of our rich musical heritage,” says Vir Srivastava, Festival Director & Promoter.

The 2026 edition will open with a historic moment as Ragas by the River presents its eponymous Legend Award to Padma Vibhushan Ustad Amjad Ali Khan, while also honouring another living legend-Padma Vibhushan Pandit Hariprasad Chaurasia.

The musical journey unfolds with Sadaa-e-Sarod, a rare multi-generational sarod ensemble featuring Amaan, Ayaan, Zohaan and Abeer, followed by Remembering the Divas, where Kaushiki Chakraborty pays homage to iconic voices such as Begum Akhtar, Noor Jehan and M.S.

Subbulakshmi amongst. The programme also features Parampara, celebrating the Etawah–Imdadkhani Gharana, alongside evocative evening presentations by Ustad Shahid Parvez Khan, Shakir Khan, and other leading contemporary classical artistes.

The final day showcases an exceptional collaboration between flautist Rakesh Chaurasia and percussion maestro Taufiq Qureshi, celebrating the enduring Chaurasia legacy and the lineage of Ustad Alla Rakha and Ustad Zakir Hussain.

Vibhas Prasad, Director, Leisure Hotels Group, said, “Ragas by the River goes beyond being a music festival; it reflects our belief in nurturing and sustaining India’s cultural and natural legacy. By hosting maestros and evolving traditions in the serene landscape of Corbett, we create meaningful, immersive cultural experiences rooted in a sense of place. At the heart of this endeavour lies our continued commitment to heartfelt, award-winning service for every guest.”

Across three immersive days, audiences will also experience Prithvi Gandharv, Meenal Jain, the Kutle Khan Ensemble, and distinguished performers including Purbayan Chatterjee & Ensemble, Band A-26, and Armaan Khan of the Rampur Sahaswan Gharana, paying tribute to his late father Ustad Rashid Khan-together, they showcase the rich expressions of Indian folk, Sufi and classical traditions.

The festival will be eloquently hosted by actors Shekhar Suman and Suchitra Pillai, guiding audiences through a thoughtfully curated celebration of heritage, mastery and living legacy.

Presented by The Riverview Retreat, with Taj Corbett Resort & Spa as its hospitality partner, the festival brings together celebrated maestros, upcoming talent and connoisseurs of classical performance in an intimate riverside setting surrounded by Corbett’s wilderness. Guests are treated to a rich culinary spread inspired by Kumaoni traditions, Rampuri Royal cuisine, and international and Pan-Asian flavours, with riverside breakfasts and open-air dining experiences. The result is a culinary journey that echoes the spirit of Ragas by the River- authentic, immersive, and memorable.

Ragas by the River continues to stand apart in the way it integrates classical arts with nature, offering a memorable cultural experience. This season, Ragas by the River is honoured to welcome TATA AIA Life Insurance and TATA Capital as Patrons of the festival.