‘Avgha Vitthal Vitthal’ gives city feel of Pandharpur yatra

Nagpur:The chants of Ram Krishna Hari echoed at the Scientific Society Hall on Wednesday as a fine melange of traditional and new devotional songs soaked the audience in divinity. ‘Avgha Vitthal Vitthal’ presented by Saptak showcased talent and was unique as the lyricist and the music composer too were present.
A cut-out image of Vitthal formed the backdrop and saffron flags fluttered on the sides giving the audience a feel of Pandharpur.The singers Aniruddha Joshi of Nagpur and Kalyani Salunke of Pune mesmerized with their renditions of ‘abhangs’. The devotional songs written by saints of Maharashtra like Namdeo and Tukaram are traditionally sung by ‘warkaris’ or devotees who walk to Pandharpur for a glimpse of the lord on the occasion of Ashadhi Ekadashi, which this year falls on July 15.
Conceptualized by Ashish Mujumdar, who too hails from Nagpur but is now a faculty in an engineering college at Pune, the concert also had some songs written by Mahendra Pendharkar. Capturing the sentiment of total devotion to the lord, the ‘abhangs’ penned by him like ‘Pandurang, Pandurang, vajav re mridang’, ‘Aaaj Panduranga bharali ghagar’ and ‘Avgha Vitthal Vitthal’ were well presented by the singer duo. Set to music by Mujumdar, the devotional songs could draw out appropriate emotions and devotion required for such compositions.
Both Joshi and Salunke are trained Hindustani classical singers and their renditions of traditional ‘abhangs’ like ‘Sundar te dhyan’, Yei Vo Vitthale’ and ‘Laxmi Vallabha’ were soul stirring. Their mellifluous voice and the devotion that reflects in the lyrics filled the presentation with a measure of piety so essential for such a concert. The immortal ‘Sada majhe dola’ was sung from the heart by Aniruddha who has given playback for all the numbers in the film ‘Tukaram’. Kalyani’s ‘Bolawa Vitthal’ and ‘Laxmi Vallabha’ too deserve a special mention for mesmerizing singing.