The Raga Rhythm Festival 2025, hosted by Art to Heart Institute, was a spectacular two-day event in Oslo, uniting musicians, scholars, and audiences in a vibrant celebration of Indian classical music. This year’s edition featured artists from Norway, Finland, Sweden, and Belgium, further strengthening the festival’s role as a hub for Indian classical music in Europe.
Day 1: Navarasa – The Nine Emotions in Music & Poetry
Held in collaboration with Melahuset and Indonord, the opening day explored the Navarasa (nine universal emotions) through a unique thematic performance featuring nine distinguished artists. Each artist embodied an emotion through a carefully selected raga, seamlessly blending melody, rhythm, and poetry from diverse cultural and literary traditions.
The performance displayed cross-cultural diversity and cross-linguistic richness, with poetic works spanning more than five languages. Sources included Kalidasa’s Abhigyana Shakuntalam, Azhwar Pasuram, the Parable of the Good Samaritan from the Bible, Subramanya Bharati’s freedom poetry, and English and Norwegian lullabies, to name a few. This integration of various languages and traditions added layers of inclusion and accessibility, allowing audiences from diverse backgrounds to connect with the music and poetry.
The performance also emphasized sustainability through the inclusion of themes like river contamination, expressed through Sucharithra for Bheebhatsa (disgust), a poem by Uma Ranganathan highlighting the ecological crisis. This poignant reference to environmental challenges echoed the importance of sustainability through art, aligning with global concerns on climate change and the preservation of natural resources.
Some of the ragas chosen to express the emotions included:
- Mohanam for Hasya (joy/laughter) – depicting children at play.
- Sucharithra for Bheebhatsa (disgust) – highlighting the plight of contaminated rivers through a poem written by Uma Ranganathan.
- Bhimpalasi for Shringara (love) – portraying the tender exchange between lovers.
- Neelambari for Shanta (peace) – presenting a multilingual lullaby that expressed the serene bond between a mother and her child.
The performance featured nine accomplished artists from across Europe, including Uma Ranganathan, Patrick Vedlog, Anand Narayan, Chandrakaanth Ramamurthy, Prarthana Akhil and Saradha Ramasubramanian from Norway, Suvrat Apte and Chandrashekar CR from Sweden and Nisha Mammen from Finland. Each artist represented emotions through their unique musical and interpretative expressions.
The interplay of music, literature, and storytelling created an immersive and deeply moving experience for the about 100 attendees.
The event was graced by the esteemed Ambassador of India to Norway Dr. Aquino Vimal as the chief guest, reinforcing the festival’s role in fostering cultural exchange. The collaboration with Melahuset and Indonord helped expand the festival’s reach, bringing together diverse audiences.
Day 2: A Tribute to Saint Tyagaraja
Supported by Asker Kommune, the second day paid homage to the legendary composer-saint Tyagaraja, celebrating his timeless contributions to Carnatic music.
The day opened with an invocation by over 30 students, setting a reverent tone for the proceedings. This was followed by soulful renditions of Tyagaraja’s cherished compositions, culminating in the festival’s grand highlight—the collective performance of the Pancharatna Krithis, his five most revered masterpieces. The powerful choral presentation, performed by an ensemble of vocalists and instrumentalists, embodied the essence of Bhakti (devotion) and Nadopasana (introspection and meditation through music), creating a deeply spiritual experience for the 100 attendees.
The main performers for the day included Uma Ranganathan, Chandrakaanth Ramamurthy, Anand Narayanan and Sruthi Krishnan from Norway, Dr. Uma Ramakrishnan from Belgium, Nisha Mammen from Finland, and Chandrashekar CR from Sweden.
Audience Feedback & Testimonials
The festival was met with enthusiastic responses from attendees, who expressed their appreciation for the depth of artistry, the thematic richness, and the inclusive spirit of the event.
“The Navarasa performance was a revelation—each raga, each poem, each rhythm painted a vivid picture. A mesmerizing experience!”
“The Pancharatna Krithis rendition was breathtaking. Hearing so many voices and instruments come together in devotion was truly spiritual.”
“This festival beautifully bridged tradition and innovation. As someone new to Indian classical music, I felt welcomed and deeply moved.”
Navarasa was more than just a musical concert—it was a nostalgic voyage through time. Growing up, my home resonated with the melodies of legendary Carnatic musicians, their ragas and swaras shaping my mornings. That evening, as Mohanam and Malayamarutham filled the air, I was transported back to those serene dawns before school. Shrimathi Uma Ranganathan and her companions not only rekindled those cherished memories but infused every note with profound meaning. Merging the timeless beauty of ancient music with the pulse of the present was nothing short of enchanting.- Sriram Kuppuswamy
Audience members praised the festival’s ability to create a profound cultural experience, blending Indian classical traditions with poetry, storytelling, and multilingual influences. Many expressed their excitement for future editions of Raga Rhythm Festival and the continued efforts of Art to Heart Institute in bringing such meaningful musical experiences to Norway and beyond.
A Festival to Remember
With enthusiastic participation and meaningful collaborations, Raga Rhythm Festival 2025 was a resounding success. It brought together artists, students, and audiences on a journey through emotions and devotion, bridging heritage and innovation. Art to Heart Institute continues to champion this vision, fostering the appreciation of Indian music across Europe.
Looking ahead, Raga Rhythm Festival will be an annual event in the years to come, continuing to celebrate the rich legacy of Indian classical music and offering a platform for innovation, cultural exchange, and artistic excellence.
