Baithak Foundation

Observation is integral to learning, yet the conventional teaching-learning setup has hardly any room for it. Through our APT Project, we provide children with an avenue to observe the process of creating beauty. Anubhav, the first leg of the APT Project, consists of intimate concerts where nothing comes between children and the artists. In Anubhav sessions, focus is not on understanding or responding. It’s observing and absorbing. Over time, something shifts.

Children who were once restless begin to sit a little longer. Their eyes follow the movements of the artist more closely. They start noticing details, the way an artist holds a note, the movement of hands or the change in tempo. This act of observing and experiencing an art form, without any pressure or expectation, slowly transforms the child. We feel that this deep observation is the true beginning of learning.

Because observation, as Krishnamurti suggests, is not passive. It is an active, attentive, and deeply personal engagement with what is present. It builds sensitivity, patience, and an openness to receive.

Perhaps before learning anything, one must learn how to ‘see’ it.

Recently, at a boys’ school in Chinchwad, we held an Odissi Anubhav session.

The children were witnessing the art form for the very first time and were unusually quiet; eyes fixed and bodies still, as they followed every movement of the dancer with curiosity.

In the front row, however, one boy couldn’t sit still.

He could not resist mirroring every move of the artist. His hands tried to follow the mudras, his shoulders shifted, and his body leaned into the rhythm. He wasn’t just watching anymore; he was trying to comprehend the art form by ‘doing it’.

After a while, he raised his hand and asked,
“ताई, मी करून बघू शकतो का?” (“Can I give it a try?”)

The artist smiled and called him forward.

What followed was not a perfect performance, but something far more meaningful. He attempted a few Odissi steps with a little hesitation, but with total attention and immersion. As the artist encouraged him and started correcting him, his face lit up with a joy of fulfilment.

These are the moments we hold on to. Moments where a child moves from being a quiet observer to an active participant. Where curiosity turns into expression. And where courage and initiative precede perfection.

As the financial year came to an end, our team was busy preparing reports for all our supporters. In the process, we realised how much our work has grown in the last year.
880 sessions.
140+ spaces.

In the financial year 2025–26, we are happy to share that we conducted a total of 880 sessions in 140 schools —

509 Anubhav
160 Parichay
211 Taleem

Across 140+ spaces, these sessions have been moments of listening, learning, reflecting, and growing together.

From first-time experiences to deeper engagements, each session has added to a larger, collective journey.

We’re grateful to all the children, artists, teachers, and supporters who have been a part of this.

Looking forward to the next year!

Many individuals have been a part of Baithak’s journey for many many years. One such couple is Smt. Surbhi Mallik and Prof. Amitav Mallik (Padma Shree). Our founders and know them since 2011 and some of our earliest home concerts were held at Mallik Residence. After sad demise of Mallik Aunty in 2021, Mallik Uncle has been a part of Baithak family. In loving memory of Smt. Surbhi Mallik, he has instituted ‘Smt. Surbhi Mallik Memorial Puraskar’ to support one young and promising musician every year.

We are thrilled to present first Smt. Surbhi Mallik Memorial Puraskar to , a talented Hindustani vocalist and disciple of Smt. and Shri. Milind Pote, who is also a part of Baithak’s APT project.

The award was presented in a concert organized at the Mallik Residence in which Adishri presented a Khayal recital followed by Mandar Karanjkar.

The evening brought together remembrance and tradition and proved to be a step towards carrying forward a legacy through music and expression.

In the last week of March, Baithak Foundation organizaed Bharatanatyam and Hindustani vocal summer workshops in Dapoli. We received enthusiastic participation from children from 12 schools which are part of our APT Project. Over 150 children participated in the camp and thoroughly enjoyed these sessions.

Working in the Konkan region is challenging. Transport is not easily available. With the help of their teachers, students travelled to the host schools by auto and some even by a tempo traveller, which clearly showed their high level of interest in these traditional art forms.

These workshops also served as trials for next year’s Taleem sessions, helping us understand how feasible it is for students to travel to another school for such sessions.

Here is one particular testimonial from a teacher which touched our hearts:
“”बैठक फाउंडेशनचे मानावे तेवढे आभार कमीच आहेत. गेल्या वर्षभरापासून आमच्या मुलांसाठी तुम्ही घेत असलेली मेहनत आम्हाला स्पष्टपणे दिसत आहे. आज तुम्ही आयोजित केलेले सत्र अत्यंत उपयुक्त ठरले. हे सत्र मुलांच्या परीक्षणाआधी विशेषतः महत्त्वाचे ठरले. अभ्यासाच्या या काळात अशा उपक्रमांमुळे मुलांचे मन प्रसन्न झाले, हे निश्चित.
यासाठी बैठक फाउंडेशनचे पुन्हा एकदा मनःपूर्वक आभार.”