Dhrupad Mela

The Dhrupad Mela is a unique annual music festival held at the historic Tulsi Ghat in Varanasi. Established in 1975 by Mahant Veer Bhadra Mishra, former custodian of the Sankat Mochan Temple, its goal is to revive and preserve Dhrupad, the oldest surviving genre of Hindustani Classical Music. Organised by the Akhil Bhartiya Dhrupad Mela Samiti, it has become a global pilgrimage for practitioners of the Dagarvani, Darbhanga, and Bettiah traditions. The festival usually takes place over five nights in February or March, concluding on the auspicious occasion of Mahashivaratri. 

Different from formal auditorium concerts, the Dhrupad Mela retains the atmosphere of a traditional Indian fair. Performances begin at sunset and continue uninterrupted until the early hours of the morning on the banks of the Ganges River. The stage has hosted every major stalwart of the genre, including the Dagar Brothers, the Gundecha Brothers, and Pandit Ritwik Sanyal. An important aspect of the festival is its inclusive character, as entry is free for all listeners. This allows a wide audience of local residents, music students, and international tourists to experience the meditative and rigorous nature of Dhrupad in its most authentic setting. 

The festival has a vital role in the Guru Shishya tradition by serving as a platform where young disciples perform together with established masters. The music focuses on the Alap, a slow and careful exploration of the Raga, accompanied by the deep resonance of the Pakhawaj drum and the Tanpura. Instruments like the Rudra Veena and Surbahar also feature prominently, highlighting the ancient instrumental heritage of India. Over the decades, the Dhrupad Mela has helped ensure this specialised art form stays a living tradition in the cultural capital of India.