Soon after, on May 25, 1975, a formal meeting took place where the founding members decided on the name, “Raga Mala Music Society of Calgary”, and began the legacy of an organization that still stands strong today.

Founding members were Jagannath Wani, Mohit Banerjee, Suresh Gurjar, Afzal Hanid-awan, Bipin Ganatra, and Gregory Levin. Formally registered in Alberta on Jun 16, 1975, Dr. Wani’s persistent efforts led to Revenue Canada (now Canada Revenue Agency) to recognize Raga Mala Calgary as a Canadian charity on Aug 28 that very year.

The society’s registration documents envisioned the following objectives:

(a) To encourage and promote classical music and dances of India, referred to simply as “music”
(b) To provide entertainment through music
(c) To run classes and training centers for teaching music and to provide competent teachers for the same
(d) To provide necessary equipment and facilities for carrying out its activities
(e) To encourage and stimulate research in music
(f) To hold lectures, demonstrations, etc. on topics related to music
(g) To establish a library of tapes, records, books, and other similar material related to music and help established libraries to acquire suitable material
(h) To make tapes, records, books, and other music-oriented material more easily available to members and the public at large
(i) To promote a better understanding and appreciation of Western classical music among the people of Indian origin, and of Indian music among other Canadians

In 2025, Raga Mala Calgary is celebrating its Golden Jubilee.

This year, we turn 50. That’s 50 years of music, 50 years of dance, 50 years of promoting and conserving the magic of Indian classical arts, both music and dance, balancing Hindustani and Carnatic, all the way in Calgary, far from the roots of this ancient and traditional form of art.

From the first concert planned in the living rooms of the founding members of this organization, all the way to today, where we’re celebrating half a century of world-class performances, showcase of art, and education through concerts, shows, workshops, baithaks, scholarships, and an incredible community of connoisseurs of Indian classical art, it’s hard to put into words just how majestic this legacy really is.

As we look ahead to the next 50 years and more, we are grateful to every single member and supporter of our community for helping us come this far. We look forward to become an even greater community that will continue to shape not only our organization, but also the arts scene in Calgary, Alberta, and Canada, for generations to come.