For aficionados of Indian classical vocals, an enchanting musical weekend awaits in September. The ‘Soor Mahatee Foundation’ is all set to host a captivating two-day music festival named ‘Soor Mahatee Mohotsav’ to commemorate the 75th birth anniversary of the eminent singer, Dr. Veena Sahasrabuddhe. The festival will take place at Yashwantrao Chavhan Auditorium on Saturday, September 2nd, and Sunday, September 3rd, 2023, starting from 5:30 pm onwards. The event is open to the public and entry will be on a first-come, first-served basis. However, a portion of seats will be reserved for invitees.
The visionary behind ‘Soor Mahatee Mohotsav’ is the well-known classical vocalist Atul Khandekar, a disciple of Dr. Veena Sahasrabuddhe. This event serves as his heartfelt tribute to his guru’s significant contributions to Indian classical music. Over the course of two days, the program will showcase classical and devotional renditions composed by both Dr. Veena Sahasrabuddhe and her revered guru and elder brother, Pt. Kashinath Bodus.
The festival’s opening day will commence with ‘Naad Ninaad,’ a captivating performance featuring disciples and renowned vocalists of Dr. Veena Sahasrabuddhe, namely Sawani Shende and Atul Khandekar. Following this, a special award ceremony will honor Pt. Vinayak Phatak, a skilled tabla player who accompanied Dr. Veena Sahasrabuddhe on her musical journey from 1984 to 1991. Another award will be presented to Dr. Dileep Deodhar, a compassionate family physician and philanthropist recognized for his exemplary service to underprivileged patients. The first day will conclude with a soul-stirring presentation by the renowned singer Pt. Raghunath Panshikar, a disciple of the legendary GaanaSaraswati Kishori Amonkar.
The second day of the festival offers a unique opportunity to witness ‘Veeneche Cheeranjeev Jhankar,’ a biographical portrayal of the life and musical odyssey of Dr. Veena Sahasrabuddhe. Conceived and directed by Atul Khandekar and Bhakti Khandekar, with a script by Anjali Malkar, this biopic promises a glimpse into the artist’s remarkable journey. The concluding act of the second day will be ‘Malavrang,’ a vocal recital by Kalapini Komkali, a noted Indian classical vocalist and the daughter of the legendary Kumar Gandharva. She will be accompanied by her nephew Bhuvanesh Komkali, presenting a melange of classical and folk songs based on Raag Malav.
The program will be guided by the experienced emcees Neeraja Apte and Mangesh Waghmare, adding a touch of eloquence to the entire event. As ‘Soor Mahatee Mohotsav’ readies itself to honor the legacy of Dr. Veena Sahasrabuddhe, it promises a harmonious celebration of Indian classical music and a tribute to a remarkable musical journey.
