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MUMBAI, INDIA, January 28, 2012 (Times of India): The color yellow fills the air as the city prepares to celebrate the festival of Basant Panchami on Saturday. The festival welcomes the onset of spring on the fifth day of the Hindu month of Magh. Spilling over from Makar Sankranti, kite-flying is a routine practice this day, particularly in north India. Women dress in yellow, which is the color of spring, and prepare a variety of sweets flavored with saffron. The day is dedicated to the worship of Goddess Saraswati , the deity of learning and music. Santoor artiste Rahul Sharma has imbibed the tradition from his father, Pt Shivkumar Sharma. He says, “This is a little-known festival although all musicians revere this day, of course. For my part, I chant the Saraswati mantra every day. Saturday is doubly special so I will spend more time in prayer and hope that the goddess of music continues to bless me.”

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