Cultural grandeur

Ganeshotsav is celebrated with great pomp in the city, and the Pune Festival is like the icing on the cake.
This year���s Pune Festival was inaugurated with great fanfare on Friday evening. Compered by Sudhir Gadgil and Amrita Thapar, the function was an array of colour, dance and music, with a special mention for the dhol and tasha players who put up a great show.The programme started with a Sanai Vandan by Tukaram Daithankar.
As the guests and other dignitaries arrived, the Ganesh Vandana by Yogini Gandhi and Devaki Pandit awed the crowd. Musicians like Sridhar Parthasarathy on the mridangam, Pandit Vijay Ghate on the tabla and Ranjit Barot on the percussion mesmerised all with their rhythmic beats.
A welcome speech was given by MP and Chairman of the Pune Festival, Suresh Kalmadi. This was followed by the lighting of the lamp by the chief guest Dr Patangrao Kadam, Minister for Co-operation, Relief, Rehabilitation. Then, veteran actor Nilu Phule and wrestler Harishchandra Birajdar were presented with the Pune Festival Awards.
A round of colourful and interesting performances were given by artistes of Marathi cinema like Sharvari Jamenis, Pushkar Jog and others. A traditional Lavni by Malaika Arora Khan and troupe drew loud cheers from the crowd. There were many more cultural programmes that saw a befitting start to this grand festival.