The 14th edition of the four-day festival ‘SwaraZankar’ organized by Violin Academy started with lots of enthusiasm with several renowned Indian Classical Musicians presenting their master class performances. The concert started with Dr. vocalist Dr Meeta Pandit, an exponent of Gwalior Gharana who started her performance with Raag Bhimpalas. She later enthralled the audience with the Bandish ‘Ab to badi ber,’ and ‘Sade nal ve…’ a Punjabi composition in Raag Dhaani, which was followed by a Tarana in teen taal. She concluded her performance with ‘Kesariya Balam…’, a popular composition from Rajasthani folk music. She was accompanied by Bharat Kamat (Tabla) and Milind Kulkarni (Harmonium), Nishigandha Deshpande and Rituraj Kolpe (Swarasath and Tanpura). The second performance of the day was by Santoor player Rahul Sharma, son and disciple of Santoor Maestro late Pandit Shivkumar Sharma. Rahul Sharma started by playing a Karnataka Raag ‘Jansammohini’. The Raag featured Aalap, Jod, and Jhala, a central composition in metaphorical rhythm, which was followed by a quick composition in Teen Taal. He concluded his performance by performing ‘Pahadi Dhun’, which left the audience asking for more. He was accompanied by Aditya Kalyanpur (Tabla). The first day of the ‘SwaraZankar’ festival concluded with the performance by National Award winning classical singer Rahul Deshpande, grandson of Pt. Vasantrao Deshpande, who presented his popular show ‘The Rahul Deshpande collectives’, a special program on light music. He sang the Bandish ‘Pawan Chalat.. from the movie ‘Mee Vasantrao’ followed by a Ghazal by Mir Taki Mir and a composition called ‘Pata Pata, Buta Buta Haal Hamara Jaane. He later sang a composition ‘Gele Dyayche Rahu Tuhe Nakshatraanche Dene’ and ‘Mogra Fulala’ in Raag Gorak Kalyan. He was accompanied by Nikhil Phatak (Tabla), Amar Oak (Flute), Milind Kulkarni (Harmonium), Rohan Vange (Western Rhythm) and Atul Raninga (Keyboard), Ritesh Ohol (Guitar), Manish Kulkarni (Bass Guitarist).
Students of Bharti Vidyapeeth School of Performing Arts, Pune displayed their skills in various universities in North-East India including Assam under the initiative ‘Kalasetu organized under the Cultural Exchange Scheme by the Director of the School of Performing Arts and Samvadini player, Pandit Sharangdhar Sathe.Hide quoted textThe event was organized with the aim of sharing music, dance and art culture between Maharashtra and North East India. Dr. Devika Borthakur, Coordinator, Prof. Praveen Kaslikar, Head of Music Department, Prof. Swarda Kulkarni and Dr. Rajendra Doorkar along with 9 students of the college participated in the event. Abhinaya Society, Guwahati, Sangeet Sattra, Guwahati, and Barnali Dance Academy presented Pt. Sharangdhar Sathe with a special medal and a letter of honour for his remarkable contribution in the field of music and dance training.
