Sawai Gandharva Bhimsen Mahotsav: Pune’s odyssey with abhinaya, raga, bhaav & taal

Mukherjee was accompanied by Bharat Kamat on tabla, Milind Kulkarni on harmonium and Vinay Chitrav and Apastambh on tanpura. Perfect chemistry between the accompanying artistes and Mukherjee took the performance to a new high, attracting a big round of applause from the audience. Mukherjee’s performance included Ustad Bade Ghulam Ali Khan’s thumri ‘Yaad Piya Ki Aaye’. It ended with a thumri ‘Ka Karu Sajani Aye Na Balam’ in Raga Sindhu Bhairavi.

The second performance of Carnatic Violin Jugalbandi by the renowned duo Dr. Manjunath Mysore and Nagraj Mysore enthralled the audience. They presented a traditional Carnatic Raga ‘Anand Bhairavee’ which was followed by Raga ‘Rasikpriya’. They were wonderfully accompanied by Ramdas Palsule on Tabla and Arjun Kumar on Mridangam.

The third session witnessed classical dance by Bharatnatyam danseuse Purva Dhanashree. She was accompanied by violinist K Saikumar, mridangam player V Shridharacharya and natuwangam player Renuka Prasad, while Shweta Prasad gave the vocals. Through the dance presentation, Dhanashree invoked Goddess Parvati.

A short film named ‘Making of Sawai’ was screened that showed the journey of the music fest since its inception. Besides, renowned vocalist Prabha Atre was felicitated.