Raags Performed:
- Raag Abhut Kalyan
- Raag Desh in Dhamar
- Raag Sohini in Sool

Musicians :
- Nirmalya Dey (dhrupad vocal)
- Sukhad Munde (pakhawaj)
- Priya Sharma (tanpura)
- Veronique Depont (tanpura)

Ah, the 2013 Darbar Festival—that grand celebration of Indian classical music steeped in tradition and reverence! Among the many memorable performances that year, the recital by Pandit Nirmalya Dey truly stood out as a soul-stirring offering of the Dhrupad tradition, presented with the depth and discipline that this ancient form demands.

A Night of Dhrupad: Nirmalya Dey at the Darbar Festival, 2013

Held at the prestigious Darbar Festival, the 2013 concert featuring Nirmalya Dey was nothing short of a spiritual journey. A seasoned and devoted practitioner of the Dagarvani style of Dhrupad, Pandit Dey brought an atmosphere of meditative stillness and majestic grandeur to the stage—a rare and treasured experience for lovers of classical Indian music.
Raag Desh in Dhamar – The Pulse of Tradition
Next came the majestic Raag Desh, set in Dhamar taal (a 14-beat rhythmic cycle traditionally associated with Krishna and Holi). This choice was both bold and beautiful, showcasing Pandit Dey's command over complex rhythmic structures. Raag Desh, with its patriotic and romantic overtones, found a new depth in the Dhrupad idiom. The composition was delivered with profound layakari (rhythmic play) and ornamentation that kept the audience riveted. It was here that the percussionist, Sukhad Munde, truly came into his own.