Aarohi Mehta
Bio
Aarohi is an independent journalist and art enthusiast who covers culture, creativity, and modern digital trends. She brings a fresh, expressive voice to her stories, blending clear reporting with a strong artistic perspective.
Stories (20)
Filter by community
Pt. Purbayan Chatterjee on the innovation behind the electric see-tar
Sitarist Purbayan Chatterjee has added an unusual but powerful instrument to his repertoire: the electric see-tar, a custom-made creation designed in collaboration with Belgium-based luthier Klaas Janssens, who runs Sitar Factory. Made from Plexiglas, this modern sitar is lightweight, glows with changing colours during performances, and produces a distinct resonant tone.
By Aarohi Mehtaabout a month ago in Journal
Anoushka Shankar: Redefining the Sitar for a Global Generation
Anoushka Shankar stands as one of the most influential and innovative voices in contemporary Indian classical and world music. Over the course of her career, she has carved out a space that bridges heritage and experimentation, earning global recognition along the way. With multiple Grammy Award nominations and honours ranging from the British House of Commons Shield to a Songlines Best Artist Award, Shankar occupies a rare position: a deeply rooted classical artist whose work resonates far beyond its traditional boundaries.
By Aarohi Mehtaabout a month ago in Journal
From Delhi to the White House: The Rise of Rishab Sharma
Rishab Rikhiram Sharma has quickly become one of the most recognisable young faces in Indian classical music, especially among Gen Z listeners who discovered him through viral sitar interpretations of pop and film hits. His videos, ranging from a delicate reimagination of “Tumhi Dekho Naa” to a stirring rendition of the Game of Thrones theme, have garnered millions of views and reshaped how young people perceive the sitar. But behind this rapid rise is a deeply personal story, one rooted in grief, healing and a renewed relationship with music.
By Aarohi Mehtaabout a month ago in Journal
Mame Khan: The Voice Carrying Rajasthan to the World
Mame Khan, one of the most recognisable voices of Rajasthani folk music, has spent years expanding the reach of India’s traditional sounds. His latest release, “Dama Dam Mast Kalandar 2.0,” signals another bold step in that direction. The track opens with shimmering electronic textures and rapid fire rap verses that collide with the earthy tones of the sarangi and harmonium. Over this blend floats Khan’s unmistakable voice, powerful and commanding. The song feels like a meeting point of old and new, a merging of sufi poetry, hip hop energy and folk heritage, all held together by Khan’s artistic vision.
By Aarohi Mehtaabout a month ago in Journal
Araj: Youthful Energy Breathing New Life Into Hindustani Classical Music
For generations, Hindustani classical music was a world largely appreciated by serious listeners who were willing to immerse themselves in its intricate grammar, slow development and deeply meditative aesthetics. Although timeless in its appeal, the art form often seemed distant to younger audiences who were unfamiliar with its nuances. In recent years, however, a wave of young artists has begun bridging this gap by presenting classical music in ways that feel relatable, vibrant and emotionally accessible. Among the most striking examples of this shift is Araj, a collective of five Mumbai based musicians who are offering a fresh interpretation of the classical tradition.
By Aarohi Mehtaabout a month ago in Journal
Baba Allauddin Khan: The Maestro Who Shaped a Century of Music
Baba Allauddin Khan stands as one of the most influential figures in twentieth-century Indian classical music. Revered as the architect of the Maihar Gharana, his legacy extends far beyond his own performances and compositions. The depth of his training, the discipline he instilled, and the innovations he introduced continue to shape Hindustani instrumental music. His influence is most visible in the remarkable musicians he trained and in the musical pathways he opened for generations of artists around the world.
By Aarohi Mehtaabout a month ago in Journal
Ustad Md. Yunus Khan: The Malda Maestro Who Shaped a Musical Generation
More than two decades after his passing, the contributions of Hindustani classical vocalist Ustad Md. Yunus Khan continue to echo across Malda’s cultural landscape. This week, musicians, students and cultural organisations gathered to commemorate his legacy, reflecting on the enduring influence he had in nurturing classical music in the region and preserving the Kasur Patiala gharana tradition.
By Aarohi Mehtaabout a month ago in Journal
Pt. Birju Maharaj: The Maestro Who Made Kathak Sing
Birju Maharaj’s artistry demonstrated that for a dancer, music is not simply an accompaniment but an essential part of expression. His voice, always gentle, melodious and emotionally rich, reflected the same fluidity that defined his movements. When he danced, each graceful sweep of the hand and every effortless spin conveyed a sense of celebration, as if he were honouring the rhythms of the universe itself. His journey in Kathak began when he was a very young child, during a period when British India did not recognise most indigenous art forms as classical. Despite these circumstances, he stepped onto the public stage at the age of seven, only two years before India gained Independence.
By Aarohi Mehtaabout a month ago in Men
Ustad Karamatullah Khan: Remembering a Legend of the Farukhabad Gharana
In the vast landscape of Indian classical music, certain names linger in the air long after they are gone, spoken with warmth by students, recalled with awe by fellow artists, and rediscovered by listeners who come across a rare recording. Ustad Karamatullah Khan is one such figure. A towering tabla maestro of the Farukhabad gharana, he is surprisingly under-documented, with only scattered references online and the occasional anecdote preserved by disciples and admirers. Yet his music, for those who have heard it, leaves no doubt about his stature.
By Aarohi Mehtaabout a month ago in Journal
Book Review: Gharanas of Indian Music by Sadakat Aman Khan
There are books that inform, books that document, and then there are books that quietly reshape how you think about an entire art form. Gharanas of Indian Music by Sadakat Aman Khan belongs firmly to the last category. It feels less like a reference manual and more like being personally guided through centuries of Indian classical music by someone who has lived, breathed, and inherited its nuances.
By Aarohi Mehtaabout a month ago in BookClub
Mehtab Ali Niyazi: A Modern Torchbearer of the Bhendi Bazaar Gharana
In a time when musical tastes evolve rapidly and digital trends shift every day, sitarist Mehtab Ali Niyazi has carved a distinct place for himself. He remains deeply connected to the traditions of the Bhendi Bazaar Gharana of Mumbai while also engaging a new generation of listeners who are discovering classical music through fresh and inviting formats. As a seventh generation musician, he carries the weight of a remarkable legacy yet expresses it with a voice that feels current and sincere.
By Aarohi Mehtaabout a month ago in Journal
