Classical vocalist Sawani Shende performs on the fifth Day of the 71st Sawai Gandharva Bhimsen Mahotsav. (Express Photo by Pavan Khengre) By Meenakshi Jawale The five-day-long 71st Sawai Gandharva Bhimsen Mahotsav, a cornerstone of Pune ’s classical music calendar, concluded on Sunday with a session that blended tradition, star power and the unmistakable emergence of new talent. The Maharashtriya Mandal Sports Complex was packed on the final day, lending the evening a deeply respectful and emotionally charged atmosphere. While the Mahotsav featured several renowned artistes, the buzz on the concluding day centred on the youngest vocalist on the roster, Aniruddha Aithal. His morning performance drew widespread praise, with listeners remarking on how effortlessly the young artiste won over the audience. Choosing the introspective Raag Multani, Aniruddha displayed skill and musical maturity far beyond his age. His assured and composed rendition earned a prolonged standing ovation, prompting an additional presentation. Describing the experience as a “feeling of home-coming”, Aniruddha acknowledged his musical lineage. “I belong to the same musical parampara as the festival, which is Kirana Gharana. It is a feeling of home-coming… a very special feeling,” he said. Sharing a message for the younger generation of musicians, Aniruddha said, “You should learn classical music properly first, under the guidance of a Guru… and have a passion for it.” Stressing that performance should remain secondary to the art, he added, “We do riyaaz every day… and the concert is separate. We should not do music just for the concert, but for ourselves.” The final day also featured the presentation of the prestigious Vatsalabai Joshi Award to Pune-based veteran rhythm artiste Mauli Takalkar, bringing the festival to a fitting close rooted in both legacy and renewal. The writer is an intern with Indian Express
IndiaIndia
Grand finale: Young maestro Aniruddha and Kirana legacy mark Sawai’s close
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