The Gaiety Theatre in Shimla has been one of the most coveted sites for all art and music enthusiasts for more than a century, and today, the 30th of August 2018, The Mountain Walker team had the privilege of witnessing a performance by renowned flautist Pandit Ronu Majumdar in the Gothic Hall of Gaiety Theatre.

Pandit Majumdar was here to commemorate the 2nd death anniversary of his Himachali flautist friend and acquaintance, Late Pandit Chet Ram Sharma Ji. Pandit Ronu was accompanied by his (and Late Pandit Chet Ram Sharma Ji’s) disciple Shri Hari Dutt Bharadwaj on Flute, Shri Durjay Bhaumik on Tabla, and Shri Kalpesh Sanchla on Tanpura.

The evening started with the ceremonial lighting of the “diya” lamp and floral tributes being paid to Late Shri Chet Ram Sharma Ji by all the artists and the Chief Guest Dr. Purnima Chauhan, IAS, Secretary – Department of Language Art Culture, and Administrative Reforms.

Here are a few snippets of the evening.

Pandit Ronu Majumdar (centre) with Shri Durjay Bhaumik on his right and Shri Kalpesh Sanchla and Shri Hari Dutt Bharadwaj on his left; Photo: Abhinav Kaushal

A performance to remember for a lifetime; Photo: Abhinav Kaushal

How many amazing performances must have been witnessed by this archaic ceiling of the Gothic Hall of Gaiety Theatre; Photo: Abhinav Kaushal