The inaugural collaborative concert between the Mohan Nadkarni Foundation and the Melbourne Hindustani Classical Music Society (MHCMS) set a warm, reflective tone for a month of commemorations in September 2024. Staged in Melbourne on the eve of the 102nd birth anniversary of the late Mohan Nadkarni, the evening doubled as the Foundation’s tenth-anniversary milestone and an affirmation of its mission to present high-calibre Hindustani music in Australia.

The featured artiste, Pandit Milind Chittal, brought a special continuity to the occasion. He had performed at the Foundation’s first-anniversary concert and returned to mark the ten-year landmark with a thoughtfully crafted programme. Supported by Sushant Ullal on tabla and Prasad Karve on harmonium, Shri Chittal unfolded his music with poise and clarity, balancing depth with accessibility. Ullal’s responsive theka and well-shaped laggis underlined the rhythmic architecture, while Karve’s harmonium offered sensitive melodic reinforcement and tasteful interludes. The trio’s cohesion created a listening experience that felt intimate yet assured.

The collaboration with MHCMS added an important community dimension. The Society’s long-standing work in nurturing connoisseurship and presenting artists in Melbourne found a natural partner in the Foundation’s curatorial approach. Together, they created a platform that celebrated heritage while welcoming newer audiences. The Foundation indicated it sees this as the first of many joint initiatives with MHCMS, signalling a shared commitment to strengthening Melbourne’s classical music ecosystem.

Beyond the flagship Melbourne recital, September saw companion offerings that widened the commemorative arc. Pandit Chittal presented a devotional concert Melbourne appearance, featuring Hindi, Marathi and Kannada repertoire. These sessions, also dedicated to the 102nd birth anniversary of Mohan Nadkarni ji, highlighted the breadth of India’s bhakti traditions—from contemplative melodies to more buoyant, congregational forms. The language diversity broadened the appeal and underlined the Foundation’s aim of connecting classical rigour with devotional expression familiar to many in the diaspora. He also had a concert in Sydney.

While the month’s events were rooted in remembrance, they also looked ahead. The Foundation’s tenth year has been framed not only as a moment to honour its namesake’s legacy but as a springboard for sustained programming in Australia. The partnership with MHCMS, the return of an artiste closely associated with the Foundation’s early days, and the inclusion of multi-lingual devotional concerts together offered a rounded portrait: classical artistry placed alongside accessible, community-centred music, both animated by the same spirit of thoughtful presentation.

The response from attendees—students, long-time rasikas and families encountering this music live for the first time—reflected that balance. Listeners spoke of the clarity of exposition, the engaging dialogue between soloist and accompanists, and the inclusive mood of the devotional programmes. For the Foundation and MHCMS, those reactions are encouragement to keep expanding the repertoire, inviting new collaborators and nurturing the next generation of listeners.

Marking a decade of activity and the eve of Mohan Nadkarni ji’s 102nd birth anniversary, September 2024 thus became a quietly memorable chapter: music offered with sincerity, partnerships strengthened, and a clear pathway set for future collaborations in Melbourne and beyond.