Ode to Music

It's a tribute to the people who gave his life a direction, purpose and above all music and Salil Bhatt8217;s in a mode to give something back as a mark of respect.

Salil Bhatt is upbeat about creating a raag dedicated to ML Koser 038; his brand-new album Sopaan

It8217;s a tribute to the people who gave his life a direction, purpose and above all music and Salil Bhatt8217;s in a mode to give something back as a mark of respect. Creator of the Satvik Veena, which is made of a 100-year-old oak wood block and has 19 strings in all, is looking back with fondness and looking forward with hope. Melody8217;s on his mind and he8217;s happy that his veena is speaking in a new language, has a shine and inviting him to converse with her. 8220;Sometimes personal loss inspires you to give more to your music. In a span of three years I lost people, pillars, who were an integral part of my being and had contributed immensely to my life. They live within me now. One of them was ML Koser, who dedicated 65 years of his life to music and Pracheen Kala Kendra was the first place to present the three generations of our family, my father Pandit Vishwa Mohan Bhatt, I and my son together. Our bond goes back a long way,8217;8217; Salil feels this is the time he wants to dedicate some of his music to the people he respects and loves. So, at a concert to be held at Pracheen Kala Kendra on Saturday evening, Salil will present a raag which he has created and dedicated to ML Koser. 8220;Called Koser Dhawani it8217;s to honour a great artist and human being. A musician has the power to immortalize someone and this raag will live on, long after I have gone and so will the name of ML Koser,8217;8217; Salil agrees creating the raag was an exhausting and emotional experience, but at the same time a fulfilling one. The apprehensions about his veena sounding not herself are gone, for the music is piercing his heart and Salil is overwhelmed with the sounds, responding to them and is full of hope. 8220;My new album, Sopaan means suron ko paana. It8217;s like a new baby and two of my favourite and rare raagas, Nat Bhairav and Puriya Dhanashri feature in this album, which is intense.8217;8217; Let the music play8230;

Parul

Parul is a Principal Correspondent at The Indian Express in Chandigarh. She is a seasoned journalist with over 25 years of experience specializing in public health, higher education, and the architectural heritage of Northern India. Professional Profile Education: Graduate in Humanities with a specialized focus on Journalism and Mass Communication from Panjab University, Chandigarh. Career Path: She began her career covering local city beats and human interest stories before joining The Indian Express in 2009. Over the last decade and a half, she has risen to the rank of Principal Correspondent, becoming the publication’s primary voice on Chandigarh’s premier medical and academic institutions. Expertise: Her reporting is deeply rooted in the institutional dynamics of PGIMER (Post Graduate Institute of Medical Education and Research) and Panjab University. She is highly regarded for her ability to navigate complex administrative bureaucracies to deliver student-centric and patient-centric news. Recent Notable Articles (Late 2024 - 2025) Her recent work highlights critical reporting on healthcare infrastructure, academic governance, and urban culture: 1. Public Health & PGIMER "PGIMER expands digital registry: Centralized patient records to reduce wait times by 40%" (Nov 20, 2025): A detailed look at the digital transformation of one of India's busiest medical institutes to tackle patient influx. "Robotic Surgery at PGI: Why the new urology wing is a game-changer for North India" (Oct 12, 2025): Reporting on the acquisition of state-of-the-art medical technology and its impact on affordable healthcare. "Shortage of life-saving drugs: Inside the supply chain crisis at government pharmacies" (Dec 5, 2025): An investigative piece on the logistical hurdles affecting chronic patients in the tri-city area. 2. Education & Institutional Governance "Panjab University Senate Election: The battle for institutional autonomy" (Dec 18, 2025): In-depth coverage of the high-stakes internal elections and the friction between traditional governance and central reforms. "Research funding dip: How PU’s science departments are navigating the 2025 budget cuts" (Nov 5, 2025): An analysis of the fiscal challenges facing researchers and the impact on India's global academic ranking. 3. Art, Culture & Heritage "Le Corbusier’s legacy in peril: The struggle to preserve Chandigarh’s Capitol Complex" (Dec 22, 2025): A feature on the conservation efforts and the tension between urban modernization and UNESCO heritage status. "Chandigarh Art District: How street murals are reclaiming the city’s grey walls" (Oct 30, 2025): A cultural profile of the local artists transforming the aesthetic of the "City Beautiful." Signature Style Parul is known for her empathetic lens, often centering her stories on the individuals affected by policy—whether it is a student navigating university red tape or a patient seeking care. She possesses a unique ability to translate dense administrative notifications into actionable information for the public. Her long-standing beat experience makes her a trusted source for "inside-track" developments within Chandigarh’s most guarded institutions. X (Twitter): @parul_express ... Read More