Classical music program ‘Aayi Basant Bahar’ enthralls audience

Chandigarh: Gandharva Mahavidyalaya, Sector 10, Panchkula organised a classical vocal music concert today at National Institute of Technical Teachers Training and Research (NITTTR) auditorium, located in Sector 26 fearturing an enthralling classical vocal recital by ‘Padmashri’ Pt. Ulhas Kashalkar, the renowned vocalist of Gwalior, Jaipur and Agra gharanas.

The programme was organised by Pandit Arvind Sharma, the famous classical vocalist and the Director of Gandharva Mahavidyalaya. He told that ‘Aayi Basant Bahar’ was being organized to welcome the Spring season through classical music. Gandharva Mahavidyalaya has been organizing such music concerts in the past and will continue doing so in the future also.

On this occasion, P.K. Das, Additional Chief Secretary (IAS), Department of Art and Culture, Government of Haryana, was present as the Chief Guest. Renowned musicians Pandit Yash Paul, Pandit Sushil Kumar Jain and NITTTR Director Shyam Sundar Patnaik were present as Guests of Honour. The program commenced with the rendition of Shri Guru Nanak Dev ji’s bani, composed by late Pandit Vishnu Digambar Paluskar, by the students of Gandharva Mahavidyalaya.

Pt. Ulhas Kashalkar began his recital with two Khyal compositions in Raga Basant, followed by a traditional Tarana in the same raga. He mesmerized the audience, comprising connoisseurs and music lovers with his scintillating performance. He continued to enthrall them all with compositions in other ragas also. He was ably accompanied by world renowned Tabla player Pandit Yogesh Shamsi and Shri Siddhesh Bichholkar on the harmonium. His disciple, Prof. Ojesh Pratap Singh provided the vocal support.

‘Padmashri’ Pt. Ulhas Kashalkar was initiated into music bu his father Shri N.D. Kashalkar and later, he had an indepth training by Pandit Ram Marathe and Pandit Gajanan Rao Joshi. Pandit Kashalkar is a renowned representative of Gwalior, Jaipur and Agra gharanas of Hindustani vocal music. He is a recipient of many awards like ‘Padma Shri’ by the Government of India, ‘Sangeet Natak Akademi Award’, Gujarat ‘Sangeet Natak Award’, ‘Tansen Award’ by the Government of Madhya Pradesh and many more . He has been also been conferred upon given many titles such as ‘Raga-Rishi’ by Jagadguru Shankaracharya, ‘Swara-Ratna’ and ‘Gana- Tapasvi’.