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‘Gives people peace and bliss’: Why words of the mystics will resonate at Pune music event

Renowned Paakh performer Asha Kesar and Group from Jammu will perform the opening pieces at TCS Ruhaniyat in Pune today evening.

3 min readFeb 14, 2026 02:12 PM IST

The festival aims to offer audiences an evening of peace, reflection and musical transcendence.

TCS Ruhaniyat in Pune will showcase Paakh, Baul, ghazal and qawwali traditions that echo the timeless words of saints and mystics.

Nandini Mahesh and her husband, Mahesh Babu, the founders of the cultural organisation Banyan Tree, had travelled far to look for polyphonic singing. They heard Gregorian chants in Bulgaria and several artists in other parts of eastern Europe. “But, right here, in the villages of Jammu, there is a stunning form called Paakh, a soulful Dogri folk music form that is traditional in Jammu. We loved it when we heard it,” says Nandini.

When TCS Ruhaniyat, an evening that celebrates folk, Sufi and mystical traditions, arrives in Pune on February 14, the opening pieces will be by the renowned Paakh performer Asha Kesar and Group from Jammu. The theme of their performance is ‘Echoes Across Centuries’.

“The messages of great masters, from saints to mystics, were written centuries ago. But the human race hasn’t learned much. Therefore, these messages remain just as relevant today as they were centuries ago,” says Nandini.

She says that Ruhaniyat started more than 25 years ago to connect with these messages. “It gives people peace and bliss for some hours as the messages come alive through the carriers of living traditions from around the country and other guest countries. In some cases, audience members might rethink the way they are living,” says Nandini.

This year, Sangeet Natak Akademi Award winner Parvathy Baul from Bengal returns to showcase music that gives a “glimpse of Baul worldview”. The bauls are wandering minstrels of Bangladesh and Bengal whose melodious songs are accompanied by music and dance.

Ghazal singer Hemant Chauhan, who was honoured with a Padma Shri in 2023, will lead his group from Gujarat to present the ideas of the mystics of that region. The Warsi Brothers, counted among the finest performers of traditional qawwali and custodians of this legacy, will end the evening with Qawwali.

The curation regularly comprises foreign performers. This year, it is singer Tais Reganelli from Brazil, and Yip Hei Man from Guzheng, Hong Kong. An assistant professor of Systematic Theology at Wartburg Theological Seminary in Iowa, Man is described as a global voice rooted in tradition. She will perform on the theme ‘The Melodic River Flows On’.

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Pune has become an integral stop for Ruhaniyat. Nandini says that it is perhaps the only city where the festival is held, where the performances start before time. “If the performance is from 6 pm, the audience is waiting from 5.45 pm. The city has an appreciative audience that understands musical nuances and is very receptive to ideas,” she adds.

Dipanita Nath

Dipanita Nath is a Senior Assistant Editor at The Indian Express, based in Pune. She is a versatile journalist with a deep interest in the intersection of culture, sustainability, and urban life. Professional Background Experience: Before joining The Indian Express, she worked with other major news organizations including Hindustan Times, The Times of India, and Mint. Core Specializations: She is widely recognized for her coverage of the climate crisis, theatre and performing arts, heritage conservation, and the startup ecosystem (often through her "Pune Inc" series). Storytelling Focus: Her work often unearths "hidden stories" of Pune—focusing on historical institutes, local traditions, and the personal journeys of social innovators. Recent Notable Articles (December 2025) Her recent reporting highlights Pune’s cultural pulse and the environmental challenges facing the city during the winter season: 1. Climate & Environment "Pune shivers on coldest morning of the season; minimum temperature plunges to 6.9°C" (Dec 20, 2025): Reporting on the record-breaking cold wave in Pune and the IMD's forecast for the week. "How a heritage tree-mapping event at Ganeshkhind Garden highlights rising interest in Pune’s green legacy" (Dec 20, 2025): Covering a citizen-led initiative where Gen Z and millennials gathered to document and protect ancient trees at a Biodiversity Heritage Site. "Right to breathe: Landmark NGT order directs PMC to frame norms for pollution from construction sites" (Dec 8, 2025): Reporting on a significant legal victory for residents fighting dust and air pollution in urban neighborhoods like Baner. 2. "Hidden Stories" & Heritage "Inside Pune library that’s nourished minds of entrepreneurs for 17 years" (Dec 21, 2025): A feature on the Venture Center Library, detailing how a collection of 3,500 specialized books helps tech startups navigate the product life cycle. "Before he died, Ram Sutar gave Pune a lasting gift" (Dec 18, 2025): A tribute to the legendary sculptor Ram Sutar (creator of the Statue of Unity), focusing on his local works like the Chhatrapati Shivaji statue at Pune airport. "The Pune institute where MA Jinnah was once chief guest" (Dec 6, 2025): An archival exploration of the College of Agriculture, established in 1907, and its historical role in India's freedom struggle. 3. Arts, Theatre & "Pune Inc" "Satyajit Ray, Ritwik Ghatak were not rivals but close friends, says veteran filmmaker" (Dec 17, 2025): A deep-dive interview ahead of the Pune International Film Festival (PIFF) exploring the camaraderie between legends of Indian cinema. "Meet the Pune entrepreneur helping women build and scale businesses" (Dec 16, 2025): Part of her "Pune Inc" series, profiling Nikita Vora’s efforts to empower female-led startups. "How women drone pilots in rural Maharashtra are cultivating a green habit" (Dec 12, 2025): Exploring how technology is being used by women in agriculture to reduce chemical use and labor. Signature Style Dipanita Nath is known for intellectual curiosity and a narrative-driven approach. Whether she is writing about a 110-year-old eatery or the intricacies of the climate crisis, she focuses on the human element and the historical context. Her columns are often a blend of reportage and cultural commentary, making them a staple for readers interested in the "soul" of Pune. X (Twitter): @dipanitanath ... Read More

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