In 2013, Natyasampada Pratishthan founded by the late Natashreshtha Prabhakar Panshikar started ‘Gaanasaraswati Mahotsav’, a classical music festival.
This year marks the sixth edition of the festival, which also happens to be the first after the sad demise of Padma Vibhushan Gaanasaraswati Kishori Amonkar.
Pandit Raghunandan Panshikar, vocalist, said, “The event cannot be the same without her, however, we have tried and compiled the best in the industry to be presented during the festival. The highlights this year are the book cover launch of an upcoming book on Kishori.”
The organisers also announced that the festival will have a curated gallery that will showcase pictures, videos and music of Kishoritai.
Panshikar added, “It is in its nascent stage and we are trying to put it together in time. However, it requires a lot of manpower and meticulous planning. I hope we are able to deliver it.”
An ardent follower and family member of veteran singer Radhika Joshi is also compiling the singer’s writing, videos, song collections and more for a permanent exhibition centre to be set up on Fergusson College road.
Panshikar added, “We will be making the formal announcement during the festival and are looking to tremendous support from Kishori’s followers.”
{{/usCountry}}Panshikar added, “We will be making the formal announcement during the festival and are looking to tremendous support from Kishori’s followers.”
{{/usCountry}}The event will also include special felicitations. Pandit Budhaditya Mukherjee will be felicitated with the Gaanatapaswini Mogubai Kurdikar Puraskar (cash prize, Rs 1,25,000) and Mauli Takalkar will be conferred with the Gaanasaraswati Kishori Amonkar Sangatkar Puraskar (cash prize, Rs 50,000) for their lifelong contributions to the field of music.