Question 1

I see this is listed as Radhika Das, but the bio mentions Radhika Mohan Maitra who passed away in 1981. Who am I actually seeing perform?

Accepted Answer

There appears to be a discrepancy in the event listing. Radhika Mohan Maitra (1917–1981) was the legendary sarod maestro and inventor of the Mohan Veena who passed over 40 years ago. If this event is indeed happening in October 2026, you may be seeing one of his direct disciples—possibly Buddhadev Das Gupta, Kalyan Mukherjea, or another of his many accomplished students who carry forward his tradition. We recommend contacting Alhambra Genève directly to clarify which lineage artist will be performing.

Question 2

What makes the Mohan Veena different from a standard sarod, and will I hear it at this concert?

Accepted Answer

Radhika Mohan Maitra invented the Mohan Veena in 1948 as a hybrid instrument combining sarod elements with sympathetic strings for a richer, more resonant sound. If the performer is a direct student of Maitra or plays in his tradition, there's a strong possibility the Mohan Veena will be featured, though this should be confirmed with the venue since some disciples specialize in classical sarod instead.

Question 3

I'm drawn to devotional music specifically—what kind of bhajans or spiritual content should I expect?

Accepted Answer

Radhika Mohan Maitra was known for bhajan and devotional performance, so a concert in his name or by his lineage would likely feature classical Indian devotional pieces rooted in raga tradition. However, the specific bhajans, ragas, and spiritual themes depend on which student is performing and their personal practice—contact Alhambra Genève or check their program notes for the exact setlist and devotional focus.

Question 4

Is this the kind of sarod concert that's meditative and slow, or will there be fast technical passages?

Accepted Answer

Radhika Mohan Maitra was considered an influential figure in 20th-century sarod playing, meaning he commanded both the lyrical, meditative aspects of raga and virtuosic technical display. A concert in his tradition will likely include both slow, introspective ragas and sections of intricate rhythmic interplay—you should expect a sophisticated, full-range classical Indian music experience rather than purely ambient or purely dazzling.

Question 5

Does this event require prior knowledge of Indian classical music to appreciate it?

Accepted Answer

While Radhika Mohan Maitra's lineage represents serious classical training (he earned the title Sangeetacharya and the Sangeet Natak Akademi Award), his devotional bhajan tradition is also rooted in accessible, emotionally direct spiritual music. The concert will appeal to both raga connoisseurs and listeners new to Indian classical music, though having some familiarity with sarod and raga structure will deepen your experience.

Question 6

Radhika Mohan Maitra taught many students including Michael Robbins (a Western musician)—does this concert blend Indian and Western approaches?

Accepted Answer

Maitra's willingness to teach Western students like Michael Robbins demonstrates openness to cross-cultural exchange, but his core practice remained rooted in Bengali sarod tradition and Hindustani classical music. If a direct disciple is performing, expect authentic classical Indian music; any Western fusion elements would be unusual and should be confirmed with the venue beforehand.

Radhika Das at Alhambra Genève

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