Sawai Gandharva Bhimsen Mahotsav -Shadja & Antaranga to take place between 7th and 9th December

·         ‘Shadja’, a short film festival to showcase 4 different films

·         Special interviews of veteran artists during ‘Antaranga’

·         12th edition of Vatsalabai Joshi Puraskaar to be given to renowned vocalist duo‘ Gundecha Brothers’

·         ‘Era of L P Records’–unique photo exhibition by Sateesh Paknikar

Pune, November 29th: ‘Shadja’ & ‘Antaranga’, two special initiatives that have been a part of ‘Sawai Gandharva Bhimsen Mahotsav’ since past 9 years shall be organized this year as well and shall take place between December 7th and 9th. Both the events – ‘Shadja’ & ‘Antaranga’ will take place at ‘Sawai Gandharva Smarak’ on Ganeshkhind road near Rahul Theatre at Shivaji Nagar between 10.00am and 12.30pm. Entry to both these programmes will be free on first come first serve basis. Some seats will be reserved for invitees.

Details of ‘Shadja & Antaranga’ and other initiatives of this year’s ‘Sawai Gandharva Bhimsen Mahotsav’ were announced by Shrinivas Joshi, Executive President, Arya Sangeet Prasarak Mandal during a Press Conference held in the city today. Noted photographer Sateesh Paknikar was also present on the occasion.

Day 1 – Wednesday, December 7th

The first day of ‘Shadja’ will pay a tribute to Bharat Ratna M.S. Subbulakshmi and Bharat Ratna Ustad Bismillah Khan, this year being their 100th Birth Anniversary. As a part of ‘Shadja’, a biographical film featuring Bharat Ratna M.S. Subbulakshmi will be shown. Directed by V. Rajgopal, it will portray the ancient and glorious tradition of Carnatic Music. This will be followed by another short film directed by Dr K. Prabhakar, featuring the great Shehnai Exponent Bharat Ratna Ustad Bismillah Khan. The film will focus on the contribution of this Shehnai Maestro to the music world.

Paying tribute to these legendary artists, the first day of 64th Sawai Gandharva Bhimsen Mahotsav (Wednesday, Dec 7th) will be dedicated to the Shehnai Maestro Ut. Bismillah Khan while the fourth day (Saturday, Dec 10th) will be dedicated to the legendary Carnatic Vocalist M.S. Subbulaxmi.

Day 2 – Thursday, December 8th

As a part of ‘Antaranga’, a special interactive session with veteran personalities related to Indian Classical Music will be organized during the festival. On this day, an interview of renowned ‘Surbahar’ Player Ut.Irshad Khan will be organised which will be followed by an interactive session with noted vocalist Ganapati Bhat.

Day 3 – Friday, December 9th

Second session of ‘Shadja’ will start by paying a tribute to Late Dr Veena Sahasrabuddhe by featuring a short film on her. Directed by Firoze Chinoy, this film will throw a light in the musical journey of this great vocalist. It will be followed by a film directed by Dhanajay Mehendale and Omkar Pradhan based on renowned Harmonium Player Pt. Govindrao Patwardhan. This will be followed by an interactive session with well known Flute Sisters Debopriya and Suchismita during second session of Antaranga.

Vatsalabaai Joshi Award to noted vocalist duo Gundecha Brothers

Each year ‘Vatsalabai Joshi Award’ is given to the artist for his/her precious contribution towards Indian Classical Music. This is the 12th year of this award and it has been announced to renowned vocalist duo Padmashree Pt. Umakant Gundecha and Padmashree Pt. Ramakant Gundecha who are known as ‘Gundecha Brothers’. The award will be in the form of cash prize of Rs.51,000/-,a citation and a memento.

Gundecha Brothers are the leading Dhrupad Singers who always sing together. Disciples of Fariddudin Dagar and Zia Mohiuddin Dagar, Gundecha Brothers have worked hard to expand Dhrupad repertoire in Hindustani Classical Music. They have also set up ‘Dhrupad Sansthan’, a music institute near Bhopal to train the students in Indian Classical Music through Guru-Shishya tradition

They performed at many prestigious programmes in India and abroad. They have been on the concert tours to many countries like USA, UK, Europe, Japan, UAE and Honk Kong to name a few.

‘Era of L P Records’ – an exceptional photo exhibition:

Photo exhibition on various themes and various artists by Pune’s renowned photographer Sateesh Paknikar is always one of the major attractions at the Sawai Festival. This is the 10th year of this festival, which is titled as the ‘Era of L P Records’. As the name suggest,this exhibition will feature the front as well as back side of the ‘Long-Playing Record’ Covers. The golden era of L P Records had the recordings of legendary artists from the world of Indian Classical Music. Attractive designs, striking colour combinations, beautiful artist pictures, suitable typography with apt information about artist were some of the unique features of the L P Record covers which will be highlighted in this year’s photo exhibition. One can see photos of rare records of Ustad Vilayat Khan, Ustad Ameer Khan, Pta. Manik Varma, Pta. Hirabai Badodekar, Pta. Mogubai Kurdikar, Pt. Bhimsen Joshi and many more. The spectators will surely get a glimpse of that golden era from this exhibition, assures Sateesh Paknikar.

PMPL Special Bus Service

Like last year, PMPML will offer their special bus services for the convenience of music lovers this year as well. The routes to which it will be operated are Katraj, Dhayari via Anand Nagar – Sinhagad Road, Kothrud Depot and Karve Nagar. The bus service will be operated to and from New English School Ramanbaug High school.