Vice President inaugurates 'MALHAR 2026', celebrates India's rich classical music heritage

The Vice President of India inaugurated 'MALHAR 2026', a youth-centric, monsoon-themed celebration of Indian classical music organized by Antar Hriday Connect in New Delhi. During the event, the Vice President presented the Antar Hriday Cultural Diplomacy Award to Shri Saurav Sharma from Nepal and felicitated artists Pt. Ulhas Kashalkar and Pt. Rajendra Gangani. Highlighting India's diverse musical traditions, he described the Malhar family of ragas as a symbol of renewal associated with the monsoon. He urged the youth to act as custodians and ambassadors of India's civilisational heritage and highlighted music as a tool for soft power.