Pune: Day one of Sawai Gandharva Bhimsen Mahotsav begins with the melodious sound of Shehnai by Lokesh Anand and Vocalist Chetna Pathak
Pune, 10th December 2025: The 71st Sawai Gandharva Bhimsen Mahotsav, organised annually by the Arya Sangeet Prasarak Mandal, commenced on an inspiring and energetic note with a soulful shehnai performance by Delhi-based artist Lokesh Anand. The five- day festival will be held until Sunday, 14 December 2025 at the Maharashtriya Mandal Sports Complex, Mukundnagar.
Day one of the festival featured Lokesh Anand presenting Raag Multani, beginning with an Aalap, followed by a Vilambit Ektaal bandish, moving into Madhya lay and Drut compositions in Ektaal, and concluding with a Banarasi-style composition which displayed the presence of Raag Mishra Khamaj (Keherwa Taal),Maand and Raag Kalawati.He was accompanied by Kedar Jadhav (supporting shehnai) and Pandurang Pawar (tabla).
The evening was followed by Dr. Chetna Pathak, a vocalist from the Kirana gharana and a disciple of Swaryogini Padma Vibhushan Dr. Prabha Atre. she performed Raag Bhimwanti (Created By Dr. Prabha Atre) Bandish, ‘Gaau Mein Hari naam’ in Vilambit Ektaal, ‘Laage More Nain Unhi Sang’. ‘Bohot Dinan Se Piya Nahi Aaye’ in MadhyaLaya Teental, Tarana in Ektaal. She concluded with a Dadra rendition ‘Balma ne Churayi Nindiya re’, in Raag Manjh Khamaj in Dadra Taal composed by her Guru. She was accompanied by Pandurang Pawar (Tabla), Ameya Bichu (Harmonium), Fumie Negishi and Pallavi Kulkarni (Tanpura and Support Vocals). Anand Deshmukh anchored the festival.
