MUMBAI: Saregama India Ltd. launched the Saregama Classical App today (15 September, 2015)  at JW Marriott, Juhu, Mumbai in the presence of classical music maestros- Pt. Hariprasad Chaurasia, Pt. Jasraj, Gulzar Saab, Dr. Balamuralikrishna, Ustad Amjad Ali Khan, Pt. Ajay Pohankar, Amaan and Ayan Ali Khan.
 
The app is the first to make Indian classical music available on the digital platform. It features over 8000 musical works, 400 + artists and 50 radio stations across Hindustani, Carnatic and Fusion music. In addition to India, the app will be available in 172 other countries.
 
A grand launch for the Saregama Classical App came after six long months of hard work by the Saregama team. The event began with musical legend Ustad Amjad Ali Khan playing the sarod alongside his sons, Amaan and Ayan. The opening performance was Rabindranath Tagore’s famous song ‘Ekla Chalo Re’ and it ended with ‘Raag Bhairavi’. A standing ovation by those present was an apt response for the musical master.

Soon after the performance, Saregama India Ltd. managing director Vikram Mehra took to the stage and spoke about the app at length. Mehra pointed out that music apps like Saavn and Gaana only have Bollywood music to offer, which  leaves classical music lovers craving for music. The recent past has only made the situation worse, he added. “Research shows, with the decline of CDs ardent music lovers in India and across the globe find it difficult to discover and consume music by their favourite artists. Hence we decided to launch this unique app both for music connoisseurs, as well as those who want to be exposed to classical music. From the first recording of Ustad Bismillah Khan’s shehnai to fusions by Amaan and Ayan Ali Khan, the app encapsulates, through its radio stations, loads of anecdotes about artistes, instruments and ragas which will surely appeal to the Smartphone savvy music lover.”

However, the Saregama Classical App is not available for free. It can be downloaded for a seven day trial period, after which a monthly charge of Rs 99 will be charged on activating the app. Those who opt for the annual plan can get 33 per cent discount on the same.

Payment for the app can be made through iTunes or Google Play Store for Android users or customers’ telecom operator or through credit card/net banking/ debit card. Since it is a paid app, Saregama Classical is free of ads. Mehra revealed that Saregama wanted to make this a paid application because they believe that not everyone values things available for free. Additionally, with this app Saregama is targeting audiences that enjoy classical music, but not those who are looking at learning this form of music.

The event came to a happy closure with the Saregama Classical App being unveiled at the event by dignitaries present through the opening of a satin ribbon tied to a life size iOS phone with the app visible on its screen.