THE RAGA OF LIFE

Mahesvari Autar’s events platform showcases Indian classical music and mantras to audiences in Holland

It is art and culture that is keeping people sane during the pandemic, states Mahesvari Autar, who is disappointed that governments worldwide are clamping down on cultural events in the name of lockdowns. “They are behaving as if art and culture is not important,” says the Netherlands-based founder of DesiYUP, a platform for artists, musicians and performers from India.

Launched a decade ago, the events company organises concerts, masterclasses and corporate events that showcase the beauty, depth and colour of Indian classical art forms to the European world. “I had a dream of starting my own platform for Indian music, culture and literature, and to inspire people through art,” says Mahesvari, who has so far conducted over 50 events in Holland with audience sizes ranging from 200 to 1000 persons.

In January 2020, just before the Covid pandemic, they even held a concert for infants, where parents and their babies could listen to soothing Vedic mantras being played live. “There were babies everywhere! It was the cutest concert I have ever done, it was just beautiful,” smiles Mahesvari. Later, during the pandemic, they organised another one titled Little Yogis for kids older than five years.