Speakers

Neelkanth Vatukulla, a prominent singer-songwriter, leads the innovative musical project 'Pahiya'. His musical journey began in Cuttack, Odisha, evolving through self-learning and formal training in Hindustani vocals and harmonium under Shri Suraj Prakash Sharma in Ahmedabad, and later refining his skills with Emu Desai, a renowned mandolin player. Neelkanth's compositions span six languages, blending Bengali Baul, Rajasthani Folk, Kabir poetry, and Krishna bhajans with contemporary styles, resulting in a distinctive and original musical fusion. He collaborates with rock and electronic artists, pushing the boundaries of his musical repertoire.

Moorala Marwada is a Sufi folk singer from the Janana village of the Kutch District, Gujarat, India. Marwada hails from 11th-generation of Meghwal singers of the village in Gujarat's Kutch district. He sings the poetry of Kabir, Mirabai, Ravidas and others. Mooralala sings in the Kafi form of music that has evolved and been adopted by the Hindu singers of Shah Abdul Latif Bhittai. Growing up he used to accompany his father and grandfather to satsangs, and started singing at the age of eight.

Mir Basu Barkat Khan, a hereditary Mirasi musician from Pugal, Rajasthan, carries on his family's rich Sufi and Sarayki folk music tradition. He sings the works of renowned poets like Khwaja Ghulam Farid and Kabir in various languages, including Saraiki, Punjabi, and Sindhi. To transmit this heritage, Mir Basu leads teaching initiatives in Rajasthani villages, ensuring the continuity of his family's musical legacy through his powerful vocals and deep understanding of Sufi and folk traditions.