A couple of years ago, during a rehearsal for Jackfruit — the annual festival dedicated to music by children — festival director Shubha Mudgal was greeted by two young drummers. “I still recall two young boys from rural Maharashtra running towards me with their drums as I arrived at the venue. They started drumming to welcome me for the rehearsals. As they were drumming away, the other children were mesmerised and were drumming on their knees,” says the renowned singer and Padma Shri awardee of the festival that celebrates young musicians (under the age of 16) from across the country.
An artiste at a previous edition of Jackfruit
| Photo Credit:
VIRGINIA RODRIGUES
With the eighth edition all set to launch next week with 194 children, the Jackfruit Festival helmed by Bhoomija Trust is held in collaboration with Prestige Centre for Performing Arts (PCPA) and the Indian Music Experience (IME). The line-up this year includes Jackfruit Songsters, which will bring together 150 children from across India in an ensemble performance of popular songs; Musicking into the Future, which will showcase exceptional child prodigies (under 14) from across India; Kamaal Dhamaal, helmed by percussionist Aneesh Pradhan, which will feature 40 young drummers from across the country; and a series of workshops and outreach programmes.
Shubha Mudgal
| Photo Credit:
Special Arrangement
Gayathri Krishna, Managing Trustee, Bhoomija Trust, still remembers the day she reached out to Shubha to gauge her interest in being the Jackfruit’s festival director. “She said yes immediately! Shubha really does her research on children in the music sphere, and ensures the right children are brought to the festival alongside a range of musicians. This year is the first time we are featuring a song she has composed in Jackfruit Songsters.” She adds, “What I love the most about Songsters is the diversity it brings to the fore. We ensure 50% of the children are from underprivileged backgrounds. I am always looking forward to the children who will be coming together and creating magic on-stage.”
For Shubha, who has been associated with the event for four years, her focus has been on two key areas: performance and music education. “My job as a curator is made easy given the massive musical talent in India and the immense diversity in our country,” she says, adding, “It is exciting to come across children from varied backgrounds, languages, and skillsets. They display extraordinary maturity in using music to express so many things.”
Aditi Gogoi
| Photo Credit:
Special Arrangement
For her, it is not just the voices that are important but the committed gurus and guardians behind the children. “Our direction is clear; the parents and gurus both have to be in approval of the child performing. We always speak to guardians first, and ask them to get the guru’s approval. We don’t want to put undue pressure on children and always speak to their gurus to understand what the child is comfortable with, if they are ready to perform in a group, and many other parameters.”
Finding and shortlisting young talent from across India is no mean feat, and is a process that runs through the year. “It has been a great learning experience for me. I am an avid listener, and so is my husband Aneesh, so we always have our eyes out for young talent. Our accompanying artistes share information about children they find online; we work with organisations like People’s Archive of Rural India (PARI); we reach out to gurus whom we know are teaching young children; and even parents reach out to us directly,” explains Shubha, who adds that inclusivity is key as the children come from diverse backgrounds. “We have children from elite urban schools, from music schools in remote parts of the country, and children coming from far-flung villages.”
A snapshot of Jackfruit Songsters 2025
| Photo Credit:
SANJIB BEHERA
As for Jackfruit Songsters, directed by Shubha and Aneesh — which was launched at last year’s edition — it will bring together 150 children from across India. The production will feature songs by musicians including B Jayashree, Vasuki Vaibhav, Mohammad Muneem Nazir/ Alif, Rajib Das, Dhammrakshit Randive, Asinta Asur, Roshni Asur, and Lata Kunjwal, who will also mentor the children and conduct them on stage. “There are many children whose guardians spend time and money to get them to learn music, but they lack the avenues to showcase their talent. To overcome this, we launched the initiative last year and reached out to schools to send their children. It is lovely to be introduced to another language, State, and learn stories from songs. We bring in experts in different languages and forms of music, and rehearsals are held remotely and in-person,” says Shubha.
MD Pallavi
| Photo Credit:
Special Arrangement
It was also Jackfruit Songsters that paved the way for music becoming part of the regular curriculum at a few schools in the city. “As a part of Jackfruit’s outreach programmes, we started sending teachers to schools to train children for Jackfruit Songsters. These schools work with children with special needs, visually impaired youngsters, and children who are not able to afford music lessons. Over the years, Bhoomija Trust has worked on making these classes a regular part of their school curriculum,” adds an elated Shubha.
Nishant Gupta
| Photo Credit:
Special Arrangement
While watching the children during the final performances is heartening, Shubha believes it is the process of getting them there that is closest to her heart. “It is something I have been witnessing for a long time; watching children who are total strangers to each other come together and create magic. Watching them rehearse together, be in awe of each other’s talent, and use the language of music to converse is extremely satisfying.”
August 21-23 at Prestige Centre for Performing Arts (PCPA) and Indian Music Experience (IME). Tickets on bookmyshow.com
Published – August 19, 2026 07:47 pm IST
