Karnatic–Hindustani Jugalbandi in Mangaluru Today

Karnatic–Hindustani Jugalbandi in Mangaluru Today

Mangalore Today News Network

Mangaluru, Oct 5, 2025: The Sangeetha Bharathi Foundation, with the support of the Karnataka Tourism Department, will present “Vihangama”, a Karnatic–Hindustani jugalbandi, at Town Hall, Mangaluru, today at 5.30 p.m.

The concert will feature violin maestro Dr. Mysore Manjunath and sitar exponent Ustad Rafiq Khan in a Violin–Sitar jugalbandi. They will be accompanied by Vidwan Tiruvarur Bhaktavatsalam on Mridangam and Shri Ojas Adhiya on Tabla.

Mangaluru City Police Commissioner Sudheer Kumar Reddy will inaugurate the event. Entry is free for all music lovers.

The Karnataka Tourism Department is the main sponsor of the programme, while Dr. P. Dayananda Pai, Chairman of the Century Group, Bengaluru, is the co-sponsor.

Mysore Manjunath: Dr. Mysore Manjunath, a stalwart of Karnatic music and a renowned violinist, is the son of the famous violin maestro Vidwan S. Mahadevappa. He began learning music at a very young age and gave his first performance at the age of eight. He completed his post-graduation in music from Mysore University with first rank and four gold medals, later earning his PhD as well. Having performed violin concerts across India and abroad, Dr. Manjunath has achieved international fame and is regarded as one of India’s proud cultural icons. 

Ustad Rafiq Khan: Ustad Rafiq Khan belongs to the sixth generation of musicians of the Dharwad Gharana. His father, the late Ustad Abdul Karim Khan, was a renowned sitar player, while his grandfather Ustad Rahimat Khan was honored with the title “Sitar Ratna.” Rahimat Khan is credited with introducing the Kharaj Saptak to the sitar and transforming the traditional three-string sitar into a seven-stringed instrument. Born in Dharwad, Rafiq Khan began playing the sitar at the age of nine. A top-grade artist of All India Radio, he has performed at prestigious music festivals across India and abroad. He is also a member of the Indian Council for Cultural Relations (ICCR).