Hindustani classical music to come alive on stage, thanks to Vasantotsav

PUNE: The classical music festival circuit in Pune will start buzzing again with Vasantotsav becoming the first music event to return as Covid-19-induced restrictions ease and vaccinations take off.

While one-off musical programmes have been organized, the annual fixtures had not been held since March last year. Many popular cultural events in the city had either been postponed or called off due to the pandemic.

However, music lovers have now been given the opportunity to savour different genre of classical music by Dr Vasantrao Deshpande Pratishthan. Vasantotsav will be held from February19 to 21 at Ganesh Kala Krida Rangmanch from 4pm to 10pm.

Vocalist Rahul Deshpande, grandson of late Vasantrao, said, “This will be the 14th edition of Vasantotsav and it shall mark the conclusion of the year-long celebrations of Vasantrao Deshpande’s birth centenary. As always, music lovers can look forward to a mix of different genres of music at Vasantotsav 2021, including dhrupad, classical, percussion along with the combination of Carnatic and Hindustani classical music.”

The festival will begin with a performance by Pt Jasraj’s disciple vocalist Ankita Joshi of Mewati Gharana followed by senior Dhrupad vocalist Pt Uday Bhavalkar’s performance. The last session will see a performance by Ustad Shujaat Husain Khan (sitar), Mukesh Jadhav (tabla), Ranjit Barot (percussion) with co-artists.

On February 20, the programme will start with a performance by noted sitar player Shakir Khan. He will be followed by vocalist Vijay Koparkar and a joint performance by flautist Rakesh Chaurasia and Venu flute maestro Shashank Subramaniam. The day will conclude with a performance by classical vocalist Anand Bhate.

The last day of the festival will feature senior tabla player Pt. Yogesh Samsi’s disciple Yashwant Vaishnav and Pt Nayan Ghosh’s son and disciple Ishaan Ghosh. This will be followed by a programme of ghazals by

Pankaj Udhas

. The festival will conclude with a performance by vocalist Rahul Deshpande, accompanied by Murad Ali on sarangi.