• Sitar craftsman Haji Ahmed So Abaso and Mauli Takalkar, an ace ‘Taal’ percussionist (Cymbal percussion instrument) to be honored during the festival.
• Khan Brothers to present their adored ‘Sitar Shashtak’
PUNE: Organised by Pune-based Suhana Basant Foundation and Kannada Sangh, the 6th Sitar Nawaz Ustad Bale Khan Sangeet Mahotsav will be held on Saturday 22nd June and Sunday 23rd June 2024, from 4.30 pm onwards at Shakuntala Shetty Auditorium, Dr. Kalmadi Shamrao High School at Erandwane, Pune. Entry for the Mahotsav is free for all on a first come first served basis.
This Mahotsav is organized by famous Sitar player Rais Khan, son of Ustad Bale Khan in memory of his father who significantly contributed to instituting Sitar in south India. Sitar Nawaz Ustad Bale Khan belongs to the Dharwad Gharana and hails from an illustrious family of the Late ’SitarRatna’ Rahimat Khan.
Speaking about the festival Rais Khan informed that in this 6th edition of the Mahotsav, special honours will be bestowed upon sitar craftsman Haji Ahmed So Abaso and veteran Taal percussionist Mauli Takalkar. Gayatri Devi Patwardhan from the royal family of Miraj, President of Kannada Sangh Kushal Hegde, Vice President Indira Saliyan, Secretary Malti Kalmadi, and other dignitaries will be present on this occasion.
The Mahotsav will kickstart on Saturday 22nd June at 4.30 pm with a performance of ‘Sitar Shashtak’ by the six Khan brothers- Ustad Chhote Rahimat Khan, Rafiqe, Shafiqe, Rais, Hafiz and Mohasin Khan who will be accompanied by Pt. Rajendra Nakod on tabla. The Shashtak will be followed by the felicitation ceremony wherein Sitar craftsman Haji Ahmed So Abaso and veteran percussionist Mauli Takalkar will be honored. The second half of the first day will witness the melodious vocals of Padmashree Pt. Venkatesh Kumar who will be accompanied by Pt. Bharat Kamat on tabla and Pt. Suyog Kundalkar on harmonium.
The second day of the Mahotsav will begin on Sunday 23rd June at 4.30 pm with the vocal rendition of Vidushi Sangeeta Katti – Kulkarni. Sangeeta Katti-Kulkarni is a Hindustani classical singer and also a famous playback singer and composer who is a recipient of the Karnataka State Rajyotsav Award. She will be accompanied by Pt. Bharat Kamat on tabla and Pt. Suyog Kundalkar on harmonium.
This will be followed by a soulful violin performance by Pt. Pravin Sheolikar and Chaitali Sheolikar. They will be accompanied by Pt. Rajendra Nakod on tabla. The festival will conclude with the captivating vocals by Pt. Shounak Abhisheki, son and disciple of legendary Indian classical singer Pt. Jitendra Abhisheki. He will be accompanied by Pt. Bharat Kamat on tabla and Pt. Suyog Kundalkar on harmonium. The two-day festival will be moderated by Anand Deshmukh.
