The passing away of Hindustani musician Gururao Deshpande in 1982, in a strange way became the turning point for Hindustani music in Karnataka, more so in Bangalore, when his ace ward Pandit Vinayak Torvi set up the Gururao Deshpande Sangeet Sabha, to perpetuate the name of his guru, and give impetus to classical music. The all-night music programme that Torvi has held since then, has been greatly instrumental in popularizing Hindustani music in a city otherwise dominated by Karnatic music. This year’s mehfil at the Gymkhana Hall, IISc., today, once again brings a variety of talent, lead by Ustad Mohsin Ahmed Khan, Sanhita Nandi and Torvi (vocal) N Rajam (violin), and Suresh Talwalkar (tabla solo). The line-up of supporting artistes is equally formidable — Ravindra Yavagal, Rajendra Nakod, Charudatta Phadke (tabla), and Ravindra Katoti, Vyasmurti Katti and Tanmay Devachake (harmonium). Anoor Anantha Krishna Sharma, who has created waves with his percussio ensemble, will hold fort on the mridangam, while Arun Kumar (morsing) and Rishikesh Badave (vocal accompaniment to the tabla solo) comprise the rest of the team. The sabha presents at least one slot for Karnatic music every year, and M K Pranesh (flute) is this year’s choice. What lends promise to the all-night affair, which begins at 9 p. m., is that each one of the musicians is capable of holding his own as a soloist, vouching for a quality performance. This is the 26th edition of the mehfil, which Torvi has been conducting without any official aid, and entry to which is free. This pioneering effort attracted a small of audience of 300 initially, and over 4,000 eager music lovers throng the hall for the past few years now. Malhar and Dharwad utsavs, youth festivals, and monthly baitaks as a study circle for talented wards are some of the other programmes of the sabha.