Sawai Gandharva Music festival commences in Pune

Pune, Dec 6 (UNI) The 55th edition of Sawai Gandharva Music Festival commenced here today, with shehnai 'vadan' (rendition) followed by upcoming classical singer Anand Bhate, a disciple of music maestro Pandit Bhimsen Joshi.

Pandit Joshi, who belongs to the Kirana Gharana, delighted the music aficionado with his rendition of Raag Yeman, a bhajan and natya sangeet.

Panditji arrived for the inaugural session but kept sitting in the car parked near the stage due to indifferent health, to hear Bhate. He was also present for the release of a calendar, compiled by photographer Satish Pahlekar, featuring 12 special pictures of himself performing in different 'mudras' during the Sawai Gandharva Music Festival through 25 years.

The Gundecha brothers performed Dhrupad in the evening.

UNI