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Music in the Park: A success story of Public-Private Partnership
New Delhi 21st February, 2006:- NDMC is the first civic body in the country that started promoting art & culture in its area as part of its discretionary function provided under its Act. The objective behind organizing such programmes is to upgrade urban life, which is otherwise
deteriorating and also to bring art and culture out of the confines of museums and auditoria to the open where general public could participate in large. It believes the event – ‘Music in the Park – Evening Ragas’ is
becoming synonymous with good music.
The initiative is a part of a public-private partnership said Smt.Sindhushree Khullar, Chairperson, NDMC in a joint Press Conference organized by NDMC, Star India Pvt. Ltd. and SPIC MACAY Foundation, here this evening.
All the three organizations announced the achievements of their public-private partnership for promoting Indian Classical Music known as ‘Music in the Park’. This series of musical concerts have enabled Delhiites to enjoy the best of Indian classical music in the natural lush green environs of Nehru Park, Chanakyapuri. This is a platform which has consistently attracted large number of music lovers.
Outlining NDMC’s role as a municipality with a difference,Smt. Khullar said that in fulfilling its mandate to bring culture to the people, NDMC has put its spectacular greens to best use by making them come alive with the sound of mind. Starting from early 1998 through the Morning Ragas series, NDMC brought all time greats like Ustad Bismillah Khan, Pt. Jasraj, Pt. Bhimsen Joshi, Pt. Hariprasad Chaurasia, Ustad Amjad Ali Khan up close and personal to the denizens of Delhi amidst the sylvan surroundings of Nehru Park, Chanakyapuri. There was hiatus but not for long. ‘Music in the Park – Evening Ragas’ was the new avtar. The series resumed in June, 2004 with a star studded galaxy of music maestros who brought divine music to soothe frayed nerves.
Addressing the media Shri Peter Mukerjea, CEO of STAR India Pvt. Ltd. said that the objective behind this initiative is to break the barriers that come between good classical music and genuine music lovers. Ticketed concerts or those that are held for special invitees pushes our rich cultural heritage to become a preserve of the elite. Our concerts that are held in a public park is an effort in bringing classical music within the easy reach of the common man. No tickets, no invites. Just walk in, take your seats and be enthralled by the performances of the maestros. We would invite more
corporates to join us in this effort to turn public parks into cultural hubs, he added.
Since the launch of this series jointly in September, 2004 Nehru Park has
witnessed mystic performances by Ustad Bismillah Khan, Smt. Shubha Mudgal, Pt. Rajan-Pt. Sajan Mishra, Dr. L. Subramanium, Pt. Hari Prasad Chaurasia, Smt. Kishori Amonkar, Begum Parween Sultana, Pt. Vishva Mohan Bhatt, Smt. Girija Devi and Pt. Kishan Maharaj.
To mark the celebration of this series, a very special concert by Pandit
Shiv Kumar Sharma and Ustad Zakir Hussain is being organized on Sunday the 26th February, 2006 at 6.30 p.m. at Nehru Park. This concert is being dedicated to the memories of Tabla Maestro Ustad Shafat Ahmed Khan. Three more concerts are scheduled to follow before the conclusion of the third part of this series They are vocal recitals by Smt. Shubha Mudgal on 4th March, 2006, Pt. Rajan-Pt. Sajan Mishra on 11th March, 2006 and Dr. M. Balamurali Krishna on 18th March, 2006.
Dr. Kiran Seth, founder of SPIC MACAY said that Indian Classical Music is nothing but ‘Naad Yog’. Naad Yog encompasses some of the most beautiful things in our heritage – subtlety, inspiration, abstraction and respect for the mystical. These elements would slowly fill the lives of young people who would be the torch bearers towards the creation of a world full of harmony and peace. For the SPIC MACAY Foundation, the Music in the Park series is yet another milestone in their efforts to do their bit for the cause of protecting and promoting the Indian Classical Music and other performing arts, he added.
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Kamlesh Singh receives Haldi Ghati Award from MMCF
India Today Group editor honoured for three decades of journalism at Udaipur ceremony.
MUMBAI- Kamlesh Singh just turned a lifetime of sharp words into a shiny shield because when journalism wakes up a society, even the Maharana of Mewar wants to pin a medal on it.
The Maharana of Mewar Charitable Foundation (MMCF) conferred its prestigious Haldi Ghati Award on Kamlesh Singh, a senior editor at the India Today Group, during a ceremony in Udaipur on 15 March 2026. The national award, instituted in 1981-82, recognises “work of permanent value that initiates an awakening in society through the medium of journalism.”
Singh, who leads several editorial initiatives including Aaj Tak Radio, the Teen Taal community and The Lallantop, was presented the honour by Lakshyaraj Singh Mewar, Managing Trustee of MMCF. The citation highlighted his three decades of contributions to Indian media, innovations in digital journalism, mentoring young reporters, and his popular podcast persona “Tau” on Teen Taal, which fosters thoughtful public discourse.
The Haldi Ghati Award, named after the historic Battle of Haldighati symbolising valour and resilience, is one of four national awards given annually by MMCF. Past recipients include Tavleen Singh, Piyush Pandey and Raj Chengappa.
Other honourees this year included Padma Vibhushan Pt Hari Prasad Chaurasia, Vedamurti Devvrat Rekhe, Treeman of India Marimuthu Yoganathan, Vir Chakra Capt Rizwan Malik, and US-based researcher Molly Emma Aitken, who received the Colonel James Tod Award for contributions to understanding Mewar’s spirit and values.
In an era where headlines often shout louder than substance, the MMCF quietly reminded everyone that real journalism isn’t about noise, it’s about the quiet, persistent work that stirs society awake, one thoughtful story at a time.
