Viraj Joshi, grandson of Bhimsen Joshi, to perform at various venues throughout Diwali week
She said 35-40% of registrations came from new audiences. At Pune International Centre (PIC), the Oct 31-Nov 1 programme took the celebration beyond the concert stage. NIBM Road resident Piyush Mehta, who discovered Diwali Pahat after moving to Pune in 2015, said attending with parents and children had become a tradition.
Because this is one of the few occasions when audiences get to hear them performed,” he said, i include several morning ragas.
My father is my guru, and performing in Pune during Diwali, with my family around, is always special,” said vocalist Viraj Joshi, whose father, Srinivas Joshi, is also performing in the city this season. Srinivas Joshi, Viraj’s father said Diwali Pahat was perhaps the only occasion for artistes to perform at that hour and share morning ragas. This time, we wanted to give one artiste the space for a full-length morning mehfil,” said Shruti Porwal of the foundation. PIC co-convener for art and culture Jui Tawade said its first Diwali Pahat aimed to combine local Diwali businesses with a concert and offer residents of surrounding areas, including Panchavati, a cultural gathering closer to home.
“For me, music is a thread that brings a family together. Viraj’s schedule includes performances in Delhi, Solapur, Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar and Pune. He remains committed to a classical foundation. “Audiences always want to hear the abhangs and traditions of my grandfather pandit Bhimsen Joshi , and I make it a point to begin my concerts with a raga. “I cherish the tradition of beginning Diwali with an uplifting classical music concert. It’s an important way to begin the festival personally too as I get to celebrate with my musical and extended family of listeners. “Usually, we have two artistes sharing a concert. The organisation is seeking younger listeners, and the recorded recital will be uploaded on YouTube during Diwali. Alongside vocalist Shruti Vishwakarma Marathe’s performance, accompanied by Pranav Gurav on tabla and Leeladhar Chakradev on harmonium, an exhibition brought together local vendors selling pottery, ceramics, faral, chocolates and handmade products. Concerts began across the city last week and will continue through Diwali week.