BY NAMITA DOGRA SUDAN
Atlanta, GA, September 21, 2026: For many second- and third-generation Indian-Americans, staying connected to their cultural roots while growing up in the United States can be challenging. In Metro Atlanta, Indian classical music is helping bridge that gap, with young musicians embracing a tradition that connects them to their heritage and identity.
From September 11 to 13, 2026, Metro Atlanta witnessed a celebration of Indian classical music as the Heritage School of Performing Arts, in association with the nonprofit Heritage Youth Club, brought together young performers and renowned artists from India for AWAAZ: The Voice of Tomorrow and Sur Ki Laherein in Suwanee.
AWAAZ featured 38 finalists competing in Hindustani Classical, Semi-Classical and Bollywood categories across Junior, Youth and Adult divisions.
Renowned Hindustani classical vocalist Pandit Anol Chatterjee, a senior disciple of Padma Bhushan Pandit Ajoy Chakrabarty, served as the chief judge. Chatterjee also conducted a music workshop for students during the weekend.
Speaking to NRI Pulse, Chatterjee said he was impressed by the young performers.
“Each of them sang exceptionally well. While the multicultural environment here differs from the natural immersion in India, the talent and dedication are unmistakable.”
For 16-year-old Aneesh Gosangari, classical music has become an important part of his identity. Aneesh recently earned his Visharad degree after 10 years of training.
“For Indian kids growing up in the U.S., connecting with this music is a powerful way to stay rooted in our identity,” he told NRI Pulse. “Having sung since I was three, it defines who I am.”
The concert also featured performances by young students of the Heritage School alongside visiting artists.
Among them was 16-year-old Stuti Vyas, who received her Visharad diploma after nine years of formal vocal training.
Speaking to NRI Pulse, Stuti recalled that she did not enjoy classical music when she first started learning it at around age six.
“My parents encouraged me to stick with it, and as I learned more ragas and understood the depth of the art, I fell in love with it. Now, it is an essential part of my life that I will never leave behind.”
Her journey reflects how classical music, which often begins as a choice made by parents, can eventually become a personal passion for young students.
The weekend’s visiting artists also spoke about the wider role of music in people’s lives.
Tabla maestro Sandiip Kr. Ghosh, a senior disciple of Pandit Anindo Chatterjee, told NRI Pulse that music can provide comfort through both happy and difficult times.
“Music is a healing process. Whether you are sad, joyful, or facing life’s hardships, music remains a constant companion.”
Ghosh also encouraged young musicians to focus on discipline and practice rather than relying only on natural talent.
“Hard work always trumps raw talent. Talent without effort yields nothing, but dedicated practice opens up the world.”
Founded in 2015 by Parag Pal and Anamika Palkundu, Heritage began with just one student and has since grown into a community of more than 400 students. The founders also established the Heritage Youth Club, creating opportunities for young people to explore the arts, participate in community service and develop leadership skills.
For young Indian-Americans growing up far from India, these opportunities can offer more than music lessons. They provide a way to understand their heritage and build a connection with traditions passed down through generations.
Chatterjee said the response from audiences in Metro Atlanta was encouraging.
“The audience in the Metro Atlanta area is warm, receptive, and listening with genuine heart. Events like these ensure that our cultural legacy continues to thrive across generations.”
For students like Aneesh and Stuti, the journey goes beyond learning ragas and preparing for performances. It has become a way of understanding their heritage, developing their own artistic identity and carrying a centuries-old musical tradition into a new generation of Indian-Americans.
