A Grand Celebration of Classical Music and Dance: 19th Pt. Jitendra Abhisheki Music Festival Concludes
Pune, 24th March 2025: The 19th Pt. Jitendra Abhisheki Music Festival, organized jointly by Apala Parisar and Tarangini Sanskritik Pratishthan, was held at Yashwantrao Chavan Natyagruha, Kothrud, featuring performances by several renowned artists. The festival was inaugurated in the esteemed presence of former Union Minister for Environment, Prakash Javadekar. Also present were Pt. Shaunak Abhisheki, Ujjwal Keskar, Pravin Badhekar, Pt. Hemant Pendse, and other dignitaries.
Following the inauguration, a musical program ‘He Bandh Reshmache’ which featured performances by Pt. Shaunak Abhisheki, Dr. Salil Kulkarni, Sandeep Khare and Vaibhav Joshi. Pt. Shaunak Abhisheki performed some compositions. Meanwhile, Vaibhav Joshi and Sandeep Khare presented poems by poet Shanta Shelke, along with other poems.
On the second day of the festival, the evening began with Kathak performance by Jaipur Gharana’s dancer, Pt. Rajendra Gangani. He performed Shiv Stuti, presented a Thumri, and concluded with a Jugalbandi of Kathak and Tabla. Following this, renowned Thumri singer Indrani Mukherjee showcased her artistry, beginning with Raag Yaman and concluding with a Hori Thumri. The evening concluded with a performance by Padma Shri Pt. Madhup Mudgal. He performed Raag
Jaijaivanti and Raag Malkauns.
On the third day of the festival, Prof. Sameer Dubale inaugurated the session with Raag Shyam Kalyan. This performance was followed Pt. Abhay Rustum Sopori presenting Raag Jog and this year’s festival concluded with a Bhajan and Gazal recital by Anup Jalota.
The Yuvonmesh segment, dedicated to young artists, featured performances by various vocalists like Karan Deogaonkar, Shruti Vishwakarma Marathe, Rageshree Vairagkar, Aniruddh Aithal, Violinist Aman Varkhedkar and Tabla player, Ishan Ghosh enthralled the audience with their performances.
During 19th Pandit Jitendra Abhisheki Music Festival, Shekhar Sen was awarded with Pt. Jitendra Abhisheki Award, while Rajesh Godbole was honoured with the Successful Organizer Award. Tabla artist, Pt. Subhash Kamat was honored with the ‘Outstanding Accompanist’ Award and The first Vidyatai Abhisheki Memorial Award was presented to renowned author Shaila Mukund.
