Musical feast for Punekars during ‘Taalchakra’

Pune, November 11: Punekars will get a chance to witness and enjoy a musical extravaganza during the three-day festival– ‘Taalchakra’, jointly organized by famed table player Padma Shri Vijay Ghate and Punit Balan Group, from November 18-20. The three-day musical festival will take place at Ganesh Sabhagruha, New English School Tilak Road on November 18 and at Mahalaxmi Lawns in Kothrud on November 19-20. The timing for all three days is 6 PM to 10 PM.

This is the first of its kind festival in India, with special focus on the rhythm (taal) factor of music. This year, the 10th edition, is supported by Badhekar Group, P N Gadgil and Sons and Lokmanya Multipurpose Co-operative Society, informed Padma Shri P. Vijay Ghate, brain behind the concept of Taalchakra and an acclaimed Tabla exponent. Rajas Upadhye, who will look after the overall management was also present on the occasion.

The festival will start with the Tabla-Pakhawaj duet presented by Pandurang Pawar, a disciple of Ramdas Bhoyar and Sukhad Munde at Ganesh Sabhagruha on November 18. Pawar is known to play renditions from across tabla gharanas including Delhi, Farrukhabad, Lucknow and Punjab. Munde is the son of Pakhawaj legend player Pandit Manik Munde and learnt his lessons from Bhakt Ganesh Anna Choudhary and Pandit Govindrao Deshmukh. It will be followed by a unique program – ‘Tanmay in Harmony’ by composer Tanmay Deochake, who will offer a blend of Indian classical, folk, and western music and a performance on harmonium. He will be accompanied by Yashwant Vaibhav (tabla), Shravan Samshi (drums), Tanmany Pawar (guitar), Amruta Thakurdesai, Atharva Kulkarni (synthesizer) and Abhishek Buruk (percussion).

On Saturday November 19, ‘Aavat Mohan’ – a dance ballet, based on original works of Sangit Martand Pandit Jasraj, will set the tone for the day. The dance has been conceptualized by acclaimed Kathak exponent Shama Bhate. Then well-known flautist Rakesh Chaurasia and his colleagues will present a special show ‘Fusion 2022’. Rakesh will be accompanied by well-known drummer Gino Banks, table player Ojas Adhiya, bass guitar player Sheldon D’silva, keyboard player and singer Sangeet Haldipur, guitar player Sanjay Das and Shreedhar Parthsarthy. This unique program is being held for the first time in Pune.

On November 20, the first session will see a presentation of ‘Folk Drums of Maharashtra’ by famed Dholak player Vijay Chavan, son of legendary Lavani dancer Sulochana Chavan. The 10th edition of the festival will conclude with a thrilling joint performance of world-renowned percussion maestro Shivamani, Vijay Ghate and Kathak dancer Sheetal Kolwalkar.

Ghate also said that they intend to organise the ‘Taalchakra festival’ in multiple cities across India in the next one year, to celebrate the 10th edition.

The entry to the first day of the festival is free on a first come first serve basis, while the season ticket for the remaining two days is Rs.300/-.