Nagpur: The 31st Dr Vasantrao Deshpande Smruti Sangeet Samaroh, organised by South Central Zone Cultural Centre (SCZCC), had a grand start with ‘Shehnai Vadan’ by Padma Shri Pt Dr S Ballesh Bhajantri and Group (Chennai), at Deshpande Hall, Civil Lines, on Thursday. Also, renowned exponant Dr Ashwini Bhide-Deshpande (Mumbai) rendered classical vocals on the inaugural day of the three-day music festival.
At the outset, Adv Dinkar Kukde lit the traditional lamp to inaugurate the three-day Dr Vasantrao Deshpande Smurti Sangeet Samaroh at Deshpande Hall, Civil Lines, on Thursday. Padma Shri Dr S Balshe, Dr Deepak Khirwadkar, Director, SCZCC; Pramod Gujar, noted tabla player; and other dignitaries were present on the occasion.
Music and art lovers will get a feast in the form of classical songs, singing and sangeet natak from the prominent artistes. On the first day, the programme began with ‘Shehnai Vaadan’ by Padma Shri Pandit Dr S Ballesh Bhajantri and troupe from Chennai. Dr Bhajantri is the second artiste after Bharat Ratna Ustad Bismillah Khan to get Padma Shri in ‘Shehnai Vaadan’. He is first recipient of Padma Award in Hindustani Sangeet from South India.
Also, renowned exponant Dr Ashwini Bhide-Deshpande from Mumbai rendered classical vocal on the inaugural day of the three-day music festival. She had completed ‘Sangeet Visharad’ from Gandharv Mahavidyalaya at the age of just 16. She received ‘President’s Gold Medal’ in AIR Sangeet competition in 1977.
On July 29, Shama Bhate and troupe from Pune will present Ram Lata Kathak Ballet. She has a wide range of experience in the field for the last five decades. She has won Maharashtra Rajya Puraskar, Maharashtra’s Padma Vibhushan and Pandit Birju Maharaj Award. Then, Prasad Khaparde from Yavatmal will present classical songs. He is ‘A’ class artiste of AIR and this young artiste presented programmes on national and international levels. The third event would be presented by Padma Shri Pandit Dr Yella Vekankateshwar Rao and group from Hyderabad on “Taalvadya Kacheri”.
On the concluding day on 30 July, Mumbai Marathi Sahitya Sangh will stage sangeet natak “Dhaadila Ram Tine Ka Vani”. D G Godse is the playwright. The drama will be staged under the leadership of Actor Pramod Pawar.
