Ragamala Lights 2026: Devansh Zurale (Khayal Beyond Bhakti)

Khayal Beyond Bhakti: A Spiritual Journey Through Ragas

Indian classical music has long been a space for contemplation, where melody and poetry can lead the listener beyond words. This recital explores spirituality through its many expressions: devotion and surrender, the wonder of nature, quiet introspection, and the search for inner purity. Moving through different moods and moments of the day, each composition offers a distinct perspective on the relationship between the human spirit, the natural world, and the divine. Through the subtle interplay of melody, poetry, and emotion, the program invites listeners on a journey inward—where music becomes both an expression of devotion and a path toward stillness.

Devansh is one of our featured North America artists. He will be accompanied by two Seattle area musicians: Deepashri Joglekar on harmonium and Manoj Deshpande on tabla.

Devansh Zurale: Devansh Zurale is a Hindustani classical vocalist and a disciple of Pandit Dr. Ram Deshpande, with over two decades of training in the tradition of khayal gayaki, rooted in the rich musical traditions of the Gwalior, Jaipur, and Agra gharanas. Also a composer and keyboardist, Devansh is a versatile vocalist who performs across a range of genres, including semi-classical and contemporary styles such as Indian pop, and has also explored genres such as jazz. Alongside his musical pursuits, he holds a Master’s degree in Music Technology from Carnegie Mellon University and a PhD in Computer Music from the University of California, San Diego. He currently works as an Audio Research Scientist at Shure, where he explores the intersection of music, audio, and artificial intelligence.

Manoj Deshpande: Manoj Deshpande is originally from Bagalkot, Karnataka. He began his training under Shri Raosaheb More during childhood and since moving to Seattle in 2016, Manoj has continued advanced study with Shri Ravi Albright. He has performed widely across the region with both local musicians and visiting artists. He is also a dedicated teacher who emphasizes strong foundational training, early learning, and cultivating a natural love for rhythm and Indian classical music.

Deepashri Joglekar: Deepashri Joglekar is a renowned harmonium player, music educator, and performing arts advocate based in Seattle. She began her musical training in Mumbai under Shri Anil Kerkar and continued her studies with Dr. Varsha Bhave, Pandit Pramod Marathe, and Mrs. Parineetha Marathe. She founded Swarsamvadini in 2020, where she teaches classical singing and harmonium to students of all ages. An avid accompanist and performer for over a decade, Deepashri has collaborated with local and international artists across classical, semi-classical, and light music. She is also a co-founder of the Indian Performing Arts Project (IPAP), through which she has worked to support Indian artists across the United States and promote Indian classical music in the broader community.