Ragas by the River:
A Riverside Festival of Music Returns to Corbett
Ragas by the River is a unique classical music festival in Corbett held along the Kosi River in Dhikuli, bringing together some of the most respected voices in Indian classical and contemporary music. Surrounded by forests and flowing water, the festival offers an intimate listening experience where music and nature exist in harmony.
Unlike large urban concert venues, Ragas by the River creates a setting where audiences can engage deeply with the music and the artists. Evenings unfold gradually as performances move from soulful instrumental recitals to powerful vocal presentations under the open sky.
Since its inception, the festival has grown steadily in reputation and now attracts music lovers, artists, and cultural enthusiasts from across the country.
Like all previous seasons, Photosynthesis Photography Services has been responsible for documenting the festival. The team manages complete photography and videography coverage, along with production coordination and social media content creation, ensuring that the visual story of the festival reaches audiences both on-site and across digital platforms.
Host Venue & Festival Partners
Ragas by the River is hosted at The Riverview Retreat, Corbett, located in Jim Corbett National Park. The venue’s natural landscape provides a stunning backdrop for live music, allowing performances to unfold in an environment that feels both intimate and immersive.
Hospitality for artists and guests is supported by Taj Corbett Resort & Spa, whose association adds a refined hospitality experience to the festival.
The 2026 season of the festival is proudly partnered by Tata AIA Life Insurance and Tata Capital, whose support helps bring together a remarkable lineup of musicians and enables the festival to continue growing as a cultural platform.
The Vision Behind the Festival
Ragas by the River is the vision of Mr. Vir Srivastava, the festival director and a trained Indian classical vocalist with a deep passion for art and music. His idea was to create a space where musicians could perform in a setting that encourages attentive listening and meaningful connection between artists and audiences.
Supporting the festival’s growth is Varun Srivastava, co-director of the festival, who manages the planning and execution of the event. His work ensures that each edition of the festival runs smoothly while maintaining the artistic integrity of the performances. Karam Srivastava also plays an important role in the festival’s operations, assisting with logistics and coordination. Outside the festival, he is an avid wildlife photographer and brings the same sense of observation and appreciation for nature to the event’s environment.
Together, their combined efforts have shaped Ragas by the River into a festival that celebrates music while respecting the natural surroundings in which it takes place.
Seasons 2024 & 2025
The first two seasons of Ragas by the River established the identity of the festival as an intimate yet powerful musical experience. Artists from across the spectrum of Indian classical music performed by the riverside, creating evenings filled with instrumental mastery, vocal brilliance, and moments of deep musical exploration.
These early editions helped define the spirit of the festival . One that celebrates tradition while remaining open to contemporary musical interpretations.
Performances from Previous Seasons
Over its first two seasons, Ragas by the River has welcomed several remarkable artists whose performances have left lasting impressions on the audience. Here’s a list of few who have performed live at Ragas by the River. Click on the names to watch the performances.
- Ustad Amjad Ali Khan
- Amaan & Ayaan Ali Bangash
- Hariharan
- Ustad Shujaat Khan
- Purbayan Chatterjee & Pratibha Singh Baghel
- Rakesh Chaurasia
- Kaushiki Chakraborty
- Rahul Sharma
- Papon
Season 3 – 2026 Line-up | Ragas by the River Festival
The upcoming third season continues the festival’s tradition of presenting extraordinary musicians representing the rich diversity of Indian music.
The Ragas by the River festival in Corbett returns for its third season with an exceptional lineup of legendary maestros and contemporary performers. The artist lineup for Ragas by the River , Season 3 (2026) includes:
- Ustad Amjad Ali Khan
- Amaan Ali Bangash
- Ayaan Ali Bangash
- Ustad Shahid Parvez
- Shakir Khan
- Hariharan
- Taufiq Qureshi
- Purbayan Chatterjee
- Rakesh Chaurasia
- Kaushiki Chakraborty
- Prithvi Gandharv
- Meenal Jain
- Armaan Khan
- Kutle Khan
The festival will conclude with a contemporary after-party performance by the Goa-based band A26, bringing a vibrant modern musical energy to the closing evening of the festival.
Capturing the Spirit of Ragas by the River
Through its continued association with the festival, Photosynthesis Photography Services captures not only the performances but also the atmosphere that defines Ragas by the River. The interaction between artists and audiences, the quiet moments by the river, and the visual beauty of music unfolding in nature.
With each season, the festival continues to grow as a meaningful cultural gathering where music, environment, and community come together to create an experience that is both memorable and deeply moving.