Some moments feel special. This was one of them.
February 7th 2025: Routes 2 Roots, in association with Parragon Publishing, launched a one-of-a-kind book series, Rhythm & Ragas at Gulmohar Hall, India Habitat Centre. The Rhythm & Ragas series takes you on a journey through the rich heritage of Kathak, Hindustani Classical Vocal, and Bharatanatyam; tracing their origins, evolution, and the legends who have kept them alive.
This much-awaited event was a meaningful step toward reviving the essence of Indian culture and heritage through diverse performing arts. It was truly inspiring. We had the privilege of hosting Mr. Ajay Bhatt (MP & Former Minister), Mr. Vinod Duggal (Former Governor of Manipur), Padma Shri Dr. Kiran Segal, Grammy Award winner Rakesh Chaurasia, and Ms. Amita Sarabhai (Jt. Secretary, Ministry of Culture). Also present were our very own founders, Mr. Rakesh Gupta and Ms. Tina Vachani, alongside Mr. Sunil Vachani (Chairman, Dixon Technologies Ltd.) and Mr. Vineet Sharma (MD, Parragon Publishing).
Each book in the series tells a unique story
Kathak by Richa Jain – Traces the dance form’s rich heritage, gharanas, and the role of rhythm in storytelling. Foreword by Padma Shri Smt. Shovana Narayan.
Hindustani Classical Vocal by Anirban Bhattacharya – Explores the world of ragas, vocal traditions, and the great maestros. Foreword by Padma Bhushan Pandit Ajoy Chakrabarty.
Bharatanatyam by Varun Khanna – A deep dive into the grace, discipline, and spiritual essence of this classical dance. Foreword by the late Padma Bhushan Smt. Saroja Vaidyanathan.
Love classical arts? Want to explore these traditions in a way that feels real and relatable?
The books bring alive the stories, traditions, instruments, costumes, festivals, and the timeless guru-shishya parampara. And to make it even more special, they feature words of wisdom from icons like Juhi Chawla, Ustad Amjad Ali Khan, and Dr. Narthaki Nataraj.
In a world where we are moving further away from our roots, Rhythm & Ragas serves as a bridge to our rich Indian heritage.
Art is like a ray of light, illuminating minds and hearts. Those who create pathways for others to understand and appreciate art are always remembered. In an era where we are rapidly drifting from our traditions, these books reconnect us to our cultural roots.
With Routes 2 Roots reaching over two crore students across India, this initiative is about shaping young minds, fostering appreciation for our artistic traditions, and ensuring that these classical art forms continue to thrive.
These books take an important step toward deepening the appreciation and understanding of Indian art forms. We hope they inspire people to explore and cherish our artistic legacy.
From students to everyday readers, these books provide a fresh perspective, making Indian classical arts more accessible and meaningful.”
Rhythm & Ragas is our collective vision to preserve India’s classical art forms for future generations. Each book captures the soul of Kathak, Bharatanatyam, and Hindustani Classical Vocal, documenting and celebrating their rich traditions.
Our art isn’t just meant to be remembered, it’s meant to be lived. Rhythm & Ragas honors the legends who kept these traditions alive and invites everyone to experience the beauty of Indian classical arts.
