Shaniwarwada to come alive again

PUNE: The city is set to relive some of the glory of its Peshwa era with the Shaniwarwada festival, a four-day cultural extravanganza, which opens on Monday.
Preparations are in full swing at the wada, Peshwa Bajirao’s historic residence in the heart of the city. On the big day, the wada will be decked up in decor reminiscent of the Peshwa era, with colourful computer-controlled lights and fireworks adding a special touch.
The festival will kick off with a gala procession from the Parvati temple to Shaniwarwada.
Specially erected arches and beautiful rangolis will usher in the procession from Bajirao road. Besides elephants, camels, horses, singer, dancers, musicians and tableaux will complete the ambience, said event manager Raju Sawla, director, Munjal Things and Occasions. State minister for culture Ramkrishna More will unveil the a nique CD based on the historic wada on the occasion.
A film tracing history from Shivaji’s times to the freedom struggle (May 14), Babasaheb Purandare’s play ‘Phulwanti’ (May 15) and one-act plays ‘Dusra Peshwa’ (May 14) and ‘Sawai Madhavraocha Mrityu’ (May 16) are also on the festival calendar.
Madhu Kambikar’s performance as Phulwanti, a legendary dancer of the Peshwa era, is something to look forward to, says Savla.
Various exhibitions featuring, clothes, jewellery and armour will bring alive the bygone era at the Vishrambaug wada nearby. While city-based Rakesh Thawde and Vinod Desai will conduct the show on armour, Kalyanbased scholar Anant Joshi has lent his expertise to the other shows.
The entire festival proceedings will be televised on Doordarshan, Sawla added.
The Rs 56 lakh production has been partly financed by the PMC (Rs 15 lakh), while the rest has been financed by sponsors, Sawla revealed, adding, “This being the first edition of the festival, we are trying really hard to pay a fitting tribute the glory of Peshwas!�