The unification of Marathi and Kannada cultures was done by Pt. Bhimsen Joshi – Sharad Pawar
Pune, February 6, 2021: “Bharat Ratna Pt. Bhimsen Joshi came to Maharashtra from Karnataka and generally there are lots of cultural disputes between the Marathi and Kannada people but Pt. Bhimsen Joshi through his music tried to unify both the cultures. He served the society through his music, “said NCP President and senior leader, Sharad Pawar.
He was speaking during the inaugural function musical program called ‘Abhivadan’ organized by Arya Sangeet Prasarak Mandal on the occasion of Pt. Bhimsen Joshi’s birth centenary celebrations, held at Ganesh Kala Krida Manch today.
Prakash Javadekar, Union Minister for Information and Broadcasting, Vinay Sahasrabuddhe, Indian Cultural Relations Council President, Murlidhar Mohol, Pune Mayor and Shrinivas Joshi, President of the Mandal were present on the occasion.
A special ‘Monogram’ designed on Pt. Bhimsen Joshi by world renowned calligrapher, Achyut Palav was unveiled at the hands of dignitaries.
Pawar said, “If it wasn’t for the COVID pandemic, we would have seen this event in a different light today. Panditji always encouraged new artists through Sawai Gandharva Music Festival and I am happy that that tradition is still alive today. Today’s youth should get inspired by Panditji’s contribution to music. I had the opportunity to hear Panditji’s concert at the residence of senior leader, former Chief Minister Yashwantrao Chavan and the prominence of his personality was always felt. There was no television during those times but his music reached homes through the radio. During his Geetaramayana & Panditji’s ‘Abhangvani’ everyone in the household would leave all chores and would gather around the radio. His and Lata Mangeshkar’s names will live forever.”
Sahasrabuddhe said, “Panditji lived his whole life for music and he handled the grammar of classical music in a way that the general public would understand. He was very experimental and maintained the quality of music. He made his mark in the minds of the fans through his Raags and awakened the love for music in them. As he has also created a distinct identity of India abroad, we are launching an International Swarabhaskar Bhimsen Joshi Fellowship of Rs. 1.5 lakhs for foreign students who’d want to come to India and learn Indian music. The course is set to begin in June. ”
Prakash Javadekar said, “Panditji is the last word in music. Since I live near his house in Rambagh Colony, I was lucky to listen to his rehearsals 2-4 times. The Bharat Ratna he received is the highest honour for any musician and honouring such artists can uplift the status of the country. We would want to make all the musical treasures of such artists, which are currently on Doordarshan and AIR available to all audiences on television and radio. On the occasion of his birth centenary celebrations AIR’s concerts will be now known as ‘Bharat Ratna Pt. Bhimsen Joshi Sangeet Sammelan.”
After the inauguration ceremony, the first session of the concert started with Panditji’s senior disciple Pt. Upendra Bhat singing Pt. Bhimsen Joshi’s favourite raage ‘Puriya’. He was accompanied by Sachin Pavgi (tabla), Umesh Purohit (harmonium), Ramakant Paranjape (violin), Devrat Bhatkhande, Anmol Thatte, Tejas Debu (Tanpura) and Mauli Takalkar (Taal).
