Playing for rain

The city's sitar-sarod duo Lakshay and Aayush Mohan, presented 'Monsoon Ragas', their signature jugalbandi concert, in Delhi yesterday. A conversation on the performance, the brothers' bond as co-artists and the challenges of keeping classical music alive.

- ADITHI REENA AJITH

INDIAN classical music has long been celebrated for its ability to evoke emotions and mirror the seasons through its scales and melodies. Last evening, the Delhi duo Mohan Brothers — Aayush Mohan (sarod) and Lakshay Mohan (sitar) — brought the magic of the rains alive at the second edition of 'Monsoon Ragas' in Delhi's Kamani Auditorium, transforming storm, drizzle, and mist into music.

Through their performance, the brothers sought to draw listeners into the "Malhar mode", once believed to summon the rains. "There is nothing better than classical music to celebrate the monsoons. For us, it's a complete joy to play in this season," says Aayush.

From being the first Indian instrumentalists to be invited to perform at the Grammy Museum in Los Angeles in 2015 and having toured extensively across the globe, performing in their home city carries a special meaning. "To play in your hometown, where you first listened to concerts and gave your first recitals, is always a mix of excitement and nervousness," admits Aayush. "Delhi holds all our early memories of music, so performing here will always be both nerve-racking and wonderful."