A mesmerising musical tribute

Swapnil Mistry from Mumbai and his team of artists gave a musical tribute to the former chairman of ITC industries Yogi Deveshwarji, recently in the city at Pingali Venkatrama Reddy hall, lower Tank Bundroad.

Accompanied by Neha Mehta, Bijal Parekh singers; Vijay Dhumal on Tabla and Manish Solanki on keyboard it was a performance not to be missed. It was organised by Surmandal as part of its 50th anniversary.

Swapnil Mistry is a singer - composer, an artist of an international reputation. A performer par excellence, who energised souls with his soul stirring music. His performance began with raag, conversation in raag, which he introduced as sunset or evening raag. 'Krishna Neeve devine' song received thunderous applause from the audience

Swapnil Mistry and team is known for their "Lagna Manthra", a divine celebration mantras and chants for prosperity and happiness all over the world. Lagna Manthra is a unique collaboration with Indian instruments and singers highlighting the importance of Vedic Rituals during the wedding ceremony; traditional mantras based on various Indian classical ragas performed live during the course of the ceremony.

Sangeeth Shraddanjali organised by Surmandal is a rich tribute, Hyderabad has not seen in the recent past for any individual. Corporate legend and former Chairman of ITC, Yogi Deveshwar was a music lover. He has deep rooted connections to Hyderabad as ITC has its major presence in the city and Telangana. He used to frequent this city often.

He contributed to Indian music and art. This program is a rich tribute to this great soul, shared Mohan Hemmadi, one of the founder members of Surmandal, a group formed by music lovers of Hyderabad way back in 1969.

YCD as his friends call him, Yogi Deveshwar is known across the Industry for his record performance. ITC's revenues over his 21-year tenure as chief executive officer (CEO) went up from 5,200 crore to 51,500 crore. He is a true legend, informed Hemmadi.

He was the longest-serving CEO of any Indian company at the time of his death in May this year. He was listed as the best performing CEO in India by Harvard Business reviews and seventh in the world. Government of India decorated him with the India's third-highest Civilian Award—Padma Bhushan in the year 2011.

Yogi Deveshwar earned nearly triple the second-highest salary in his company. He passed away recently in the month of May at the age of 72 years. Two hundred music lovers graced the program.