Pt Vishwa Mohan Bhatt performs at XLRI. Picture by Bhola Prasad

Jamshedpur, Feb. 24: Some turned up in their finery, others in casuals, but perhaps with one motive: to spend a mesmerising evening amid some classical renditions by Grammy award winner Vishwa Mohan Bhatt at the XLRI grounds today.

At the show, entitled ?Swaranjaali?, organised by Spic Macay ? the students? body at XLRI which regularly organises similar shows for students ? the musical extravaganza enchanted the audience, although many did not understand the finer nuances of the classical tunes.

Spic Macay sources said many people had come to the show because of the popularity of the performer.

Divya Kumar, a member of the students? body said: ?Although our aim was to promote pure classical renditions, many people came only to see Vishwa Mohan Bhatt simply because he has won a Grammy and has modified the guitar into a Mohan Veena. I?m sure there were very few who came for the love of the music.?

Jishnu Dasgupta, an avid music lover and a member of XLRI?s official brand, Bodhi Tree, said: ?Nowadays, it?s more of a status symbol to be seen at such kind of shows.?

He added that one of the reasons why the show was organised is to see how people accept classical music.

But when asked what he would prefer if given a choice, he quipped: ?Rock than classical anytime.?

But he was quick to be on the back foot. ?I like classical music, too, but not the very traditional kind.?

And if some students were vocal enough to express their choice, others preferred to remain a little diplomatic. ?I love classical music. But there is hardly any time to listen to it. Nevertheless, I listen to it occasionally,? said a Gen-X music enthusiast.

However, another student pointed out that in the past few years, many shows of traditional classical music were held and the music itself has undergone a makeover mainly because many a youth has started taking interest in it.