The Greater Boston area was immersed in the rich, intricate rhythms and ragas of Indian classical music last weekend as the 18th Annual LearnQuest Music Festival concluded its highly anticipated three-day run. Held from April 3 to April 5, 2026, the festival solidified its reputation as one of North America's premier platforms for showcasing both Hindustani and Carnatic musical traditions side by side.
Organized by the Waltham-based LearnQuest Academy of Music in collaboration with MITHAS (MIT Heritage of the Arts of South Asia), the 2026 edition spanned two prestigious venues. The festival launched with an electrifying opening night at MIT’s Thomas Tull Concert Hall, anchored by a dynamic Taal Vadya ensemble. This powerful percussion-driven performance—featuring masters like Pt. Arup Chattopadhyay on tabla, Vid. V. Selvaganesh on kanjira, and Vid. Sai Raghavan on mridangam—set a vibrant, rhythmic tone for the remainder of the weekend, which transitioned into a fully immersive experience at Regis College in Weston, MA. The Taal Vadya was followed by a captivating Surbahar and Sitar concert by Pt. Sugato Nag.
A Stellar Roster of Hindustani and Carnatic Maestros
Carnatic Excellence: Following the brilliant opening night, the South Indian segments presented an unparalleled showcase of vocal and instrumental mastery. The Carnatic vocal lineup was exceptionally formidable this year, headlined by the legendary Sudha Ragunathan, whose clarity and commitment to the classical repertoire left audiences spellbound. She was joined by the deeply devotional and shruti-aligned Gayathri Venkataraghavan, the dynamic sister duo Anahita & Apoorva, and the disciplined, emotionally resonant performances of rising star Sunil R. Gargyan. On the instrumental side, the festival welcomed visionary violinist L. Shankar, renowned globally for expanding the instrument's boundaries.
Hindustani Masterclasses: North Indian traditions were proudly represented by an equally illustrious cohort. Audiences were treated to sheer vocal brilliance from Bhuvanesh Komkali—grandson of the legendary Pandit Kumar Gandharva—who presented a spellbinding solo Kheyal recital. Instrumental mastery took center stage with sitar virtuoso Purbayan Chatterjee. The continued relevance of ancient instruments was underscored by a moving performance from Shehnai artist Ashwini Shankar in a duet with violin maestro V.V.S.Murari.
Dynamic Collectives and Ensembles: Staying true to the 2026 theme of "Ensemble: Making Music Together," the festival showcased majestic group performances that explored multi-instrumental synergy and cross-genre innovation. The Anirudh Varma Collective, an ensemble of young Hindustani classical musicians, and the acclaimed Carnatic fusion ensemble ATMA brought vibrant, modern collaborative energy to historic classical frameworks, demonstrating how traditional lineages can evolve dynamically in a group setting.
A Cultural Cornerstone for New England
Beyond the technical virtuosity displayed on stage, the LearnQuest Music Festival remains a vital cultural pillar for the region. Festival Chair Shashank Nene and the organizing committee succeeded in curating a musical journey that balanced depth, variety, and accessibility.
As the final notes echoed through Regis College on Sunday evening, the 18th Annual LearnQuest Music Festival once again proved that the ancient traditions of Indian classical music are continually thriving, inspiring new generations, and fostering deep community connections in the heart of New England.
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About LearnQuest Academy of Music:
LearnQuest Academy is a non-profit institution dedicated to providing formal instruction in Indian classical and light music, fostering a deep appreciation for India's musical heritage across generations in the United States.
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