New Delhi : It was a meeting of two river streams in the best of their flows. Legendary vocalists and musicians from the Hindustani and Carnatic systems of music came together today for an unusual but gratifying confluence at the Indira Gandhi Centre for Arts.

The two-day seminar put together by IGNCA in collaboration with International Foundation for Fine Arts was inaugurated by Dr Karan Singh, President ICCR & member of Rajya Sabha in the presence of IGNCA President Shri Chinmaya R Gharekhan.

The one of its kind exchange of two different Indian streams of music brought together renowned artists from both musical systems. While Dr Prabha Atre, Pt Nayan Ghosh and Pt Suresh Talwalkar represented the Hindustani music stream, Shri Madurai G S Mani, Dr M Narmada and Dr T V Gopalkrishnan represented the Carnatic music form.

“Hindustani and Carnatic music systems are the derivatives of the ancient Indian classical system of music. Both genres have their own stalwarts and legends, and followers. Our endeavor is to encourage an interaction between the two great musical streams,” says Ms Deepali Khanna, Member Secretary of IGNCA.

For the scholar-artists of the two traditions it was a unique opportunity to explore on one platform the convergences and divergences of the two great Indian musical streams and they used it to reflect on the various aspects of Hindustani and Carnatic Music Systems.

Divided over five sessions, the seminar saw the music scholars focus on different aspects of their music forms like vocal music and percussion art. They also spoke on the various facets of their musical life.