WPRB Princeton 103.3 FM

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WPRB Princeton 103.3 FM

Sangeet - Classical and Folk Music of India

May 2, 2026 9:00 AM – 12:00 PM

Music

With Sangeet Team (Dave, Jayashri, Ramaprasad, Rungun & Padma)

Presenting Indian Classical Music from the Indian sub-continent and anywhere else in the world too. We are five different DJs that present from our personal collections with our own introduction to the songs. We broadcast every Saturday 9:00 am to 12:00 on 103.3 FM (NJ,NY and PA).

Padma Presents: Aerophones on the Air

How often have you listened to Indian Classical Music played on the Clarinet, Saxophone, Harmonium and Nagaswaram?

Today's Sangeet show is your chance!

Sangeet - Classical and Folk Music of India
9:03 AM
Kadri Gopalnath (Saxophone) - "Gajavadhana Beduve" in Hamsadwani Ragam and Adi Talam
Kadri Gopalnath (Saxophone) "Gajavadhana Beduve" in Hamsadwani Ragam and Adi Talam Purandara Dasa

Padma Shri and Sangeet Natak Akademi awardee Kadri Gopalnath (1949 - 2019) was born in Bantwal in the Dakshin Kannada region to Tulu speaking parents. He trained under the exponent of Hindustani and Carnatic music Sangita Kalanidhi Sri T V Gopalakrishnan among other gurus. Gopalnath was celebrated for undertaking and succeeding in the enormous challenge of adapting the alto Saxophone to Gamaka based Carnatic music. A musician of great virtuosity, Gopalnath performed in numerous venues across the world to great acclaim.

9:15 AM
Pannalal Ghosh (Flute) - Raag Gaud Sarang
Pannalal Ghosh (Flute) Raag Gaud Sarang

Pandit Pannalal Ghosh (1911 - 1960) born in Barisal, Bangladesh, is credited with popularizing Bansuri (the Indian name for bamboo flute) as a concert instrument. He learnt from Ustad Khushi Mohammed Khan, Pt. Girija Shankar Chakraborty and finally under the legendary Ustad Allaudin Khan.

9:44 AM
A. K. C. Natarajan (Clarinet) - "Ela Nee Daya" in Atana Ragam and Adi Talam
A. K. C. Natarajan (Clarinet) "Ela Nee Daya" in Atana Ragam and Adi Talam Tyagaraja

Sangita Kalanidhi A K C Natarajan (1931 - ) was born in Tiruchirapalli into a family Nagaswaram and Clarinet artists. He learnt clarinet from his father, nagaswaram from Iluppur Natesa Pillai and vocal music from the celebrated Alathur Venkatesa Iyer. Natarajan has been a clarinet player since 1952, working hard to adapt the instrument to play raga alapanas and swara renditions by combining Nagaswaram and Vocal traditions. He has performed widely in India and abroad.

10:01 AM
Ustad Bismillah Khan (Shehnai) - Raag Yaman
Ustad Bismillah Khan (Shehnai) Raag Yaman

Ustad Bismillah Khan (1916 -2006) was a celebrated Hindustani musician and was trained in music at a young age by his father who was a Shehnai player in the royal court of Dumraon. When Bismillah Khan was six years old, he went to Varanasi where he underwent further training under his uncle, Ali Baksh 'Vilayatu'. He is credited with popularizing Shehnai on the Hindustani music stage and was awarded India's highest civilian honor, Bharat Ratna in 2001.

10:24 AM
Sikkil Sisters (Flute) - "Intha Sowkya" in Kapi Ragam and Adi Talam
Sikkil Sisters (Flute) "Intha Sowkya" in Kapi Ragam and Adi Talam Tyagaraja

Sangita Kalanidhis Sikkil Sisters, Kunjumani (1927 - 2010), and Neela (1938 – 2023) were the first ever female duo Carnatic flautists. Connected to the legendary “Flute Mali” on their mothers’ side, they learnt music from Azhiyur Narayanaswami Iyer. They were top notch performers known for their traditional style. They received the Sangeet Nataka Akademi, Kalaimamani and Padmashri awards.

11:02 AM
Milind Kulkarni (Harmonium) - Raag Shuddasarang
Milind Kulkarni (Harmonium) Raag Shuddasarang

Milind Kulkarni is a soloist, composer and educator who plays Hindustani music on the Harmonium. He learnt under the gurus Vasantrao Gurav, Anna Diwan, and Pramod Marathe. He also received accompaniment instruction from vocalist Pandit Ulhas Kashalkar and Tabla maestro Pandit Suresh Talwalkar. Kulkarni has performed with stalwart musicians in India and abroad

11:26 AM
Karukurichi Arunachalam (Nagaswaram) - Raga Alapana, Tanam in Todi Ragam
Karukurichi Arunachalam (Nagaswaram) Raga Alapana, Tanam in Todi Ragam

Karukurichi B Arunachalam (1921 - 1964), was born in Karukurichi, a hamlet in southern Tamil Nadu. He learnt to play Nagaswaram from his father and later from other gurus. He also learnt vocal music from Kalakkad Subbiah Bhagavathar. He went on to become the preeminent disciple of the king of nagaswaram players “Todi” Rajaratnam Pillai. He became a much sought after artist but died suddenly at the age of 43.

11:56 AM
Karukurichi Arunachalam (Nagaswaram) - Ragamalika Pallavi
Karukurichi Arunachalam (Nagaswaram) Ragamalika Pallavi

Karukurichi B Arunachalam (1921 - 1964), was born in Karukurichi, a hamlet in southern Tamil Nadu. He learnt to play Nagaswaram from his father and later from other gurus. He also learnt vocal music from Kalakkad Subbiah Bhagavathar. He went on to become the preeminent disciple of the king of nagaswaram players “Todi” Rajaratnam Pillai. He became a much sought after artist but died suddenly at the age of 43.

Chat is archived.
Sangeet Team (host) 9:04:07 AM
Good morning Sangeet listeners!
Sangeet Team (host) 9:04:55 AM
This is your DJ Padma welcoming you to yet another edition of Indian Classical music on WPRB!
Sangeet Team (host) 9:06:40 AM
Today's playlist features Carnatic and Hindustani music played on wind instruments like saxophone (on air now), shehnai, harmonium, clarinet, Indian bamboo flute, nagaswaram etc.
Krish 9:44:09 AM
Always a treat to hear Pannalal Ghosh!
Sangeet Team (host) 9:45:43 AM
Yes Krish; It is always soothing and probably matches the cloudy and cool weather outside our studio today!
Krish 11:14:12 AM
that is virtuosic harmonium playing...great selection.
Sangeet Team (host) 11:17:02 AM
Happy you like the selection Krish!
Sangeet Team (host) 11:20:55 AM
Fun Fact: All India Radio had banned Harmonium on its stations for 30 years from 1940! Rabindranath Tagore held that the instrument was not suitable for playing gamakas (oscillating notes)
Swami Begur 11:33:20 AM
Hi Padma, today’s theme “wind instruments” and all the songs you are playing is fantastic!
Sangeet Team (host) 11:34:02 AM
Thank you Swami! Glad you could tune in today!
Swami Begur 11:35:56 AM
Sikkil sisters, Kadri Gopalnath, AKC Nagarajan, Pannalal Ghosh…. Oh my! If I could record your today’s program, I would. (Unfortunately it is a one and done!)
Sangeet Team (host) 11:37:36 AM
I am happy that I have fantastic musicians to select from! And yes, it is live radio and so that is the charm I guess!
Swami Begur 11:51:02 AM
Hi Padma, one more fun fact for you. I have been listening and chatting with you from about 30,000 feet above ground, while on a flight.(WWW.WPRB.com/listen or chat)
Sangeet Team (host) 11:51:21 AM
That is so cool!
Sangeet Team (host) 11:56:30 AM
We are coming to the end of today's show! Lovely to have had Sangeet listeners today who tuned in and joined the chat too! This is your DJ Padma saying goodbye!