ITC Sangeet Research Academy is one of India's biggest and most high profile institutions of classical music, and it is with their invaluable support that Bengal Foundation has been able to organise two brilliant editions of the Classical Music Festival. Executive director of the Academy, Ravi Mathur has been at the helm of the partnership between the two organisations, and he spoke to The Daily Star on the concluding night of the Bengal Classical Music Festival 2013. Excerpts:

From last year's festival, what do you think has been different this year?

Ravi Mathur: You see, what started off with a great deal of vision has found a direction this year. I think one way to look at it is the numbers that registered; what amazes me constantly that we had not even thought this would be the audience response. The second thing is -- you learn as you go along. I think this year it's more organised than last year in terms of musicians. The third very important thing is, I believe this still needs nurturing; maybe a year, maybe two years. So what will happen then, it will become the finest festival of the subcontinent, with everyone wanting to be a part of it.

Tell us about the impact of this festival on ITC Sangeet Research Academy.

Ravi Mathur: This is a relationship at several levels. What is very fascinating is that it has worked at a great level of friendship and respect. Let me draw an instance; we now do not have a single function in our country without a musician from Bangladesh. Rob Fakir captured our minds and hearts when he was there; and even this year, at our main 'Sammelan', Rajrupa (Chowdhury) is playing. This is becoming a trend. Secondly, for our scholars, when you play before such an appreciative audience, it is the biggest catalyst for further progress in their music. There isn't a musician in our country who doesn't want to perform here.

This partnership between Bengal Foundation and ITC-SRA is a long-term plan, with this festival slated annually for many years to come. How do you picture this festival, maybe five or seven years down the line?

Ravi Mathur: I think it's a fantastic partnership because there is clarity, there's of understanding and purpose. Through this festival, more and more I think we've come to understand the traditions of Bengal. On a personal level, I think it has been a learning experience for all of us. Very important in this is the vision and dynamism of Mr. Abul Khair (Chairman, Bengal Group) and indeed the risk that he has taken last year.

As for the festival, I don't think this area will be enough; we may have to push the stage back 200 feet, and still find it very crowded. This is a precursor of what can be done for classical music in other parts of the subcontinent -- even in my own country, maybe Pakistan, and also abroad where there is sub-continental diaspora -- in the US, UK, other parts of Europe, perhaps... (smiles)