Three-Day Bharat Ratna Pt. Bhimsen Joshi Classical Music Festival concluded with energetically rich performances
Pune 5th February, 2026 : The three-day Bharat Ratna Pt. Bhimsen Joshi Classical Music Festival concluded recently in Pune. The festival was organised by the Cultural Affairs Department of the Government of Maharashtra, on behalf of the Directorate of Cultural Affairs of the Government of Maharashtra, and conceptualized by the state’s Cultural Minister, Ashish Shelar. The festival celebrated India’s rich classical music heritage through soulful performances by artistes creating an atmosphere of deep musical immersion and cultural reverence that left audiences enriched and inspired.
Dignitaries, including Meghraj Rajebhosale, Akhil Bhratiya Marathi Chitrapat Mahamandal, Abhay Jabade, Executive President of Bharat Natya Mandir; senior violinist and guru Pandit Atulkumar Upadhye; Shrinivas Joshi, son of Bharat Ratna Pt. Bhimsen Joshi and President of Arya Sangeet Prasarak Mandal, trustee Shilpa Joshi, Kirana gharana vocalist Pt. Sudhakar Chavan; Jaipur-Atrauli gharana vocalist Vidushi Saniya Patankar; Dayanand Ghotkar of Gandharva Mahavidyalaya; Directorate of Cultural Affairs officials Sandeep Vasave, Abasaheb Jagtap, Janhavi Jankar were present at the festival.
The first day of the festival began with Yash Kolhapure, recipient of a scholarship from the Directorate of Cultural Affairs, who performed impressive renditions of Raag Shri, followed by Jaipur-Atrauli gharana vocalist Vidushi Saniya Patankar, who captivated the audience with Raag Lalita Gauri. Instrumental music lovers enjoyed a jugalbandi by Pt. Santosh Sant (flute) and Dr. Vithika Tikku (santoor), including the popular abhang “Majhe Maher Pandhari”. The first day concluded with a melodious vocal performance by eminent Mewati gharana vocalist Pt. Sanjeev Abhyankar.
The second day highlighted performances by several young and talented artists, including Omkar Lohar presenting Raag Puriya Kalyan, Raag Yaman by Gandhali Pisal, Viraj Joshi (grandson of Pt. Bhimsen Joshi), who mesmerised the audience with Raag Tilak Kamod, a powerful vocal performance by Padma Bhushan Pt. Sajan Mishra and Pt. Swaransh Mishra, who presented Raag Bageshri and Raag Kaushi Kanada by Shiraz Ali Khan (grandson of Ustad Ali Akbar Khan).
The final day began with a pakhawaj performance by students of Ramkrishna Spiritual Institute, Alandi. This was followed by solo tabla performances by scholarship holders Anil Sarje and Avinash Patil. Young vocalist Shrinivas Kenche presented Raag Vachaspati, while later the audience enjoyed a beautiful father-daughter vocal recital by Pt. Sudhakar Chavan and Shashwati Chavan of the Kirana gharana. The festival concluded with a graceful violin performance by Vidushi Kala Ramnath, who presented Raag Rajeshri. The entire three-day festival was anchored by Shobha Kulkarni.
