Sanskar Bharati holds Natraj puja with felicitation, music

Nagpur: Music, felicitation and obeisance marked the Natraj Pujan event organized by cultural organization Sanskar Bharati at Scientific Society Hall, on Wednesday. Among the various events organized by it, Natraj pujan occupies a special place in the annual calendar of the organization and this year, its very own vice-chairman Shyam Deshpande was felicitated by Pt Narayan Mangrudkar on this occasion.This was followed by a musical programme based on bandish penned by Shyam Deshpande, singing of devotional songs and songs of Sudhir Phadke.
A well-known musician, vocalist and teacher, Deshpande has served the organization for decades and has many musical concerts and CDs to his credit. He is also the force behind the ‘Geet Ramayan’ event which is being held at the Ram Mandir in Ram Nagar for the past 13 years. Describing him as the ideal member that every social organization should have, Kanchan Gadkari, chairman of Sanskar Bharati said, “I joined this organization under his guidance and have always admired him for his organizational skill.”
Acknowledging the gesture, Deshpande said, “Being felicitated by the organization which you have served is a unique blessing and I am fortunate to receive these blessings and grateful that Sanskar Bharti has recognized my work.”
The music presentations began with five bandish composed by Deshpande in raag Kalawati, Bageshri, Marana, Jogkauns and Charukeshi, which were presented by vocalist Kalyani Deshmukh, Rasika Kulkarni and Shyam Deshpande.
Devotional songs were presented by a group of singers who sang in chorus various compositions of Purushottam Samak, written by Mukund Pulliwar. A medley of songs from Geet Ramayan, and songs of Sudhir Phadke were presented by Anil Khobragade, Chhaya Wankhede and Shyam Deshpande who has earned the sobriquet of ‘Vidarbhacha Sudhir Phadke’.
The programme was anchored by Vivek Aloni who gave insights into the compositions of Deshpande.