Diwali Pahat: Pune’s roister from the break of dawn

This year, the early morning events during Diwali festive season held at Bal Gandharva Rangmandir kicked off by felicitating institutions that completed 100 years in the city.

 Pune witnessed one of its first Diwali Pahat events (early morning events held during Diwali festive season) in 1992 organised by Punyabhooshan Diwali Pahat. It was a free-for-all event held at Nutan Marathi Vidyalaya, Sadashiv Peth. Satish Desai, one of the organisers shared, “Singer Suresh Wadkar held the first cultural meet (mehfil). It was an informal Indian seating arrangement. We suffered a loss of 1.75 lakh as we kept it free-for-all. We didn’t concentrate much on the loss and continued to hold such Diwali Pahats every year. The crowd kept growing every year and we eventually moved the venue to Bal Gandharva Rangmandir on JM Road. After the first two years, we also introduced a section of ‘Pakke Punekar’, where we felicitated ‘true Punekars’ every year. The first awardees were Sudhakar Moghe, Jagannath Shetty and Kasim Sheikh. It soon became a tradition wherein people or institutions who have made Pune proud were awarded a glass lantern.”

Actress and kathak exponent Sharvari Jamenis performs 'Footprint' a kathak dance recital organised by the Sarvotkarsh Trust at Shaniwarwada on Wednesday. The recital was held as a part of the Diwali Pahat legacy in the city. (Ravindra Joshi/HT PHOTO)

Mahesh Kale performing at a Diwali Pahat held at Bal Gandharva Rangmandir in Pune on Wednesday.

This year also, the event held at Bal Gandharva Rangmandir kicked off by felicitating institutions that completed 100 years in the city. The awardees included Indian Institute of Architects, Lions International, Anandashram, Niwara Old Age Home and Gujarati Kelwani Samaj. This was followed by a classical recital by national award winner singer Mahesh Kale.

Wednesday also witnessed a Diwali Pahat event by Sarvotkarsh Public Charitable Trust at Shaniwarwada where classical dancer Sharvari Jemenis enthralled the audience.

The city also saw two more events at Yashwantrao Chavan Natya Gruha, Kothrud and Sarasbaug.

Don’t miss:October 191. What: Stand-up comedian Makrand TilluWhere: ShaniwarwadaWhen: 5.30-8am

2. What: Musical event of Hindi and Marathi songsWhere: Yashwantrao Chavan Natya Gruha, Kothrud

October 201. What: Music performance by Radha Mangeshkar and Rajesh Datar Where: ShaniwarwadaWhen: 5.30-9am

2.. What: Rashtriya Kala Akadami will hold a deepostav eventWhere: Chatushrungi When: 6.30pm