New Delhi, August 14, 2026: On the occasion of India’s 80th Independence Day, ITC Limited celebrated 150 years of Vande Mataram, India’s National Song, with a soulful tribute, rendered through a music video, ‘Desh Ek Raag 3’, created by the ITC Sangeet Research Academy
(ITC SRA). The composition has been anchored in Raag ‘Desh’ and was brought alive by the Gurus, Scholars and tutors of ITC SRA alongside other musicians. The production reflects ITC’s deep homage to a song that has remained one of India’s most enduring symbols of national awakening, pride and unity.
In the run up to the Independence Day, ITC Chairman Mr. Sanjiv Puri shared the heartfelt creation through a post on LinkedIn. Mr. Puri is also the Chairman of the Board of Trustees of ITCSRA.
In his LinkedIn post, Mr. Puri mentioned, “On the eve of India’s 80th Independence Day, it gives me immense pleasure to present Desh Ek Raag 3, commemorating 150 years of Vande Mataram, our National Song, whose timeless message of devotion, unity and love for our motherland continues to inspire generations. Specially conceived and performed for this momentous occasion by the Gurus, Musician Tutors and Shishyas of the ITC Sangeet Research Academy, Desh Ek Raag 3 is ITC’s heartfelt tribute to our great nation and its rich cultural heritage. This exclusive rendition of Vande Mataram beautifully brings to life the vocal and instrumental traditions of our nation that ITC SRA has nurtured and preserved for nearly five decades.”
The third edition of the Desh Ek Raag series also marks ITCSRA’s journey towards its Golden Jubilee in 2027.
At the heart of the presentation is the Academy’s timeless Guru-Shishya Parampara, with Gurus and Scholars coming together to present Vande Mataram through the spirit of Hindustani classical music. Their collective performance reflects a living tradition in which musical knowledge, discipline and artistic sensibility are passed across generations of Gurus and Scholars.
Presented by ITC SRA as a collective homage to the nation, the musical tribute features a distinguished ensemble of Gurus, including Pandit Ajoy Chakrabarty, Pandit Ulhas Kashalkar, Pandit Partha Chatterjee, Vidushi Subhra Guha, Pandit Uday Bhawalkar, Shri Omkar Dadarkar, Shri Abir Hossain and Shri Brajeswar Mukherjee. Nearly 70 participants across generations have lent their voices and talent to the presentation, from 11-year-old Scholar Baibhab Mukhopadhyay to celebrated classical maestro Pandit Ajoy Chakrabarty, the first student of ITC SRA and now a Guru of the academy.
The special rendition has been created by ITC SRA Guru Shri Abir Hossain and recorded at the Academy’s state-of-the-art studio. The music video has been directed by Pritha Chakraborty, an independent filmmaker and creative producer based in Kolkata.
Video Link of the ITC SRA creation: https://youtu.be/lPqU_ROp4OQ
The journey of Desh Ek Raag began two years ago on India’s 78th Independence Day with the first edition, conceived as an ode to the nation. The initiative returned in 2025 with Desh Ek Raag 2, which placed the ‘Guru-Shishya Parampara’ prominently at the centre of the creation and expanded the artistic canvas to include classical dance. Together, the two editions received millions of views and appreciation across platforms.
The series has since evolved into a distinctive cultural platform connecting ‘Desh’ and ‘Raag’ with ITC and ITC SRA, while reflecting the academy’s sustained commitment to fostering and propagating the heritage of Hindustani classical music. Desh Ek Raag 3 now takes this journey forward, with a special focus on Vande Mataram and the continuity of India’s classical music tradition.
The participation of young Scholars alongside accomplished Gurus is central to this expression. It reflects how a musical tradition can remain rooted in its heritage while continuing to find resonance among new generations.
At ITC SRA, the Guru-Shishya Parampara goes beyond formal musical education. Eminent Gurus provide intensive, one-to-one training, while Scholars spend years learning, practising and absorbing the nuances of Hindustani classical music. The residential learning environment enables this immersive exchange, allowing musical knowledge and artistic traditions to be experienced and passed on to future generations through sustained interaction.
Established in 1977, ITC SRA has been enriched by some of India’s most illustrious classical musicians over the decades, including Ustad Nissar Hussain Khan (Sahaswan Gharana), Hirabai Barodekar (Kirana Gharana), Ishtiaq Hussain Khan (Rampur Gharana), Nivruttibua Sarnaik (Atrauli-Jaipur Gharana), Girija Devi (Benaras Gharana), Latafat Hussain Khan (Agra Gharana), A. Kanan, Malabika Kanan and many others.
Today, ITC SRA trains more than 50 Scholars across its Kolkata campus and Pune facility. Beyond its teaching programme, the Academy promotes Indian classical music through concerts, festivals and lecture series. Its library, archive and studio also preserve an extensive collection of books, manuscripts and recordings spanning India’s rich musical history.
