India, Aug. 14 -- The strains of music, clink of wine glasses, and raucous laughter over seven decades of stories spilled out of Silver Oak at India Habitat Centre on Thursday, as Delhi's cultural circuit gathered to raise a toast to Padma Bhushan Pt Sajan Mishra on his 70th birthday.

Over seekh kebabs and paneer tikkas, memories were shared, smiles exchanged, and tears shed as his son, composer Swaransh Mishra and granddaughter, Kathak dancer Shinjini Kulkarni hosted the evening, tracing Sajan's journey as a torchbearer of Hindustani classical music and the traditions of the Benaras gharana and khayal style over more than six decades.

A heartfelt tribute to his elder brother, late vocalist Rajan Mishra, the other half of the celebrated...