This year, Christmas, the most celebrated festival in Germany, received a warm cross-cultural touch at ‘Madhya-Ma’ in Bamberg, a Hindustani music school. Basically dedicated to Hindustani classical training, the young students of this music school welcomed Christmas exuberantly as they performed popular Western Christmas songs, thereby making an emotional synthesis of traditions.
Rio, on the piano, led the singing group comprising Ananya, Viraj, Priyansh, Aavya, Ivy, Titir, Rico, and Kanha. They sang Christmas songs with a lot of sincerity and cheer. A blend of Indian and Western music filled the room with unity, warmth, and festive charm. Parents and guests who were present felt delighted by this feature of cultural exchange that the school lays emphasis on.
Madhya-Ma is affiliated with the Sarbabharatiya Sangeet O Sanskriti Parishad, which is a reputed organization dedicated to promoting Indian classical arts and culture all over the world. Under the guidance of center head Moumita Bhattacharya, Bamberg’s ‘Madhya – Ma’ school emerged as a nurturing space for young talent and cultural collaboration.
Enveloping this celebration is the deep Christian heritage of Germany, replete with traditions surrounding Advent, Christmas markets, and church services done to the soft light of candles. Here, the cross-cultural performance of the children lent a poignant new layer to Bamberg’s festive season, as the spirit of togetherness that defines Christmas spoke its universal language: music.