Pune, a city renowned for its rich cultural heritage and love for the arts, is all set to embrace a harmonious three-day celebration, ‘Taal Chakra,’ that will captivate the souls of music enthusiasts. Jointly organized by the eminent Tabla artist Pt. Vijay Ghate and the Punit Balan Group, this musical extravaganza promises to be a sensory delight.
The ‘Taal Chakra’ festival will grace Pune with its presence from October 27th to 29th, offering an unparalleled musical experience. The first day, i.e., October 27th, kicks off at the Balshikshan Mandir, MES Auditorium, Kothrud, from 5 p.m. onwards. The subsequent days, October 28th and 29th, will see performances at the Ganesh Kala Krida Ranga Manch, starting from 6 p.m. onwards.
Good news for the ardent admirers of music – entry to the first day of ‘Taal Chakra’ (October 27th) is absolutely free and open to all, operating on a first-come, first-serve basis. For the second and third days (October 28th and 29th), eager enthusiasts can book their tickets through Book My Show here or opt for phone bookings at 8805745962.
The 11th season of ‘Taal Chakra’ receives generous support from distinguished sponsors, including Venkatesh Buildcon Pvt. Ltd, Chandukaka Saraf and Sons Pvt. Ltd, Lokmanya Multipurpose Co-op. Society Ltd., Suhana, Bank of Maharashtra, Girikand Holidays, Oerlikon Balzers, and Wilo.
The inaugural day of this melodious fiesta, ‘Taal Chakra Yuva,’ will commence with the captivating Tabla Duet performance by Sagar Patokar and Rohit Thakur, accompanied by Abhishek Shinkar on Harmonium. The second session, ‘Sur Suranjan,’ will feature the performances of Suranjan Khandalkar and Sharayu Date, with accompaniments by Pandurang Pawar on Tabla, Abhijit Bhade on Drums, Shruti Bhave on Violin, and Rahul Kulkarni on Keyboard.
The second day of ‘Taal Chakra’ (October 28th) will commence with ‘Taal Dindi,’ showcasing the musical brilliance of Padma Shri Pt. Vijay Ghate on Tabla, Pt. Dr. Ram Deshpande on Vocal, Amar Oak on Flute, Sheetal Kolwalkar on Kathak, Gandhar Deshpande on Vocal, Omkar Dalvi on Pakhawaj, and Abhishek Shinkar on Harmonium. The subsequent session will present the remarkable Sitar Maestro and Music Composer Niladri Kumar performing on Surbahar, Sitar, and Zitar, accompanied by Padma Shri Pt. Vijay Ghate on Tabla, Sridhar Parthasarthy on Mridangam, Angelo Fernandes on Keyboard, and Mukul Dongre on Drums.
The grand finale of this festival is marked by the performance of the illustrious Amaan Ali Bangash, representing the 7th Generation of the Senia Bangash School, and Pt. Kumar Bose, an awardee of the Sangeet Natak Akademi and disciple of Pt. Kishan Maharaj of the Banaras Gharana. The festival culminates with the mesmerizing ‘Fusion 2023’ by Rahul Deshpande, a renowned vocalist, and grandson of Pt. Vasantrao Deshpande, accompanied by Milind Kulkarni on Harmonium, Anay Gadgil on Keyboard, Sarang Kulkarni on Sarod, and Ishaan Ghosh on Tabla.
Ensuring the smooth flow of this musical journey is the anchor, Milind Kulkarni.
‘Taal Chakra’ 2023 promises to be a soul-stirring experience for music lovers and a testament to Pune’s unwavering love for the arts. Mark your calendars for this mesmerizing event that will celebrate the soul of music and create unforgettable memories.
