Pune’s iconic Sawai Gandharv Bhimsen Mahotsav, a revered music festival, starts today, December 18, and will continue until December 22 at the Maharashtriya Mandal Krida Sankul in Mukundnagar. Organized by the Arya Sangeet Prasarak Mandal, the festival is celebrating its 70th edition this year.
The festival was initiated by Bharat Ratna Pt. Bhimsen Joshi to honor his guru, Sawai Gandharva, and has since become a prominent platform for both established maestros and emerging artists to showcase their talent. This year, as part of the Mahotsav’s 70th year, the tradition of promoting young talent alongside veteran musicians continues, ensuring that the rich legacy of Indian classical music thrives for future generations.
Speaking about the festival, Shrinivas Joshi, Executive President of the Arya Sangeet Prasarak Mandal, shared, “The overwhelming love of connoisseurs and audiences has made the Mahotsav a benchmark for Indian classical music.”
Check the schedule
The festival’s lineup this year features a range of performances, including vocal, sitar, shehnai, and violin recitals. It remains a much-anticipated event, attracting music lovers from Pune and around the world.
December 18 (starts at 3pm):
S. Ballesh & Dr. Krishna Ballesh – Shehnai
Shashwati Chavan Zurunge – Vocal
Ram Deshpande – Vocal
Dr. L. Subramanian – Violin
Pt. Ajoy Chakraborty – Vocal
December 19 (starts at 4pm):
Krishna Bongane & Nagesh Adgaonkar – Vocal (Jugalbandi)
Sangeeta Katti-Kulkarni – Vocal
Anupama Bhagwat – Sitar
Venkatesh Kumar – Vocal
December 20 (starts at 4pm):
Mohini (Music Group)
Sahana Banerjee (Sitar)
Savani Talwalkar (Tabla)
Anuja Borude-Shinde (Pakhawaj)
Ruchita Kedar (Vocal) & Aditi Garade (Harmonium)
Viraj Joshi – Vocal
Kaushiki Chakraborty & Rishit Desikan – Vocal
Prubayan Chatterjee – Sitar
December 21:
Saurabh Kadgaonkar – Vocal
Ayaan Ali Bangash & Amaan Ali Bangash – Sarod (Jugalbandi)
Anand Bhate – Vocal
Rakesh Chaurasia – Flute
Smt. Arati Ankalikar – Vocal
Pt. Ulhas Kashalkar – Vocal
December 22:
Sanjeev Abhyankar – Vocal
Shashank Subramanyam (Flute) & R. Kumaresh (Violin) – Jugalbandi
Milind Chittal – Vocal
Adnan Sami – Piano
Shobana & Team – Bharatnatyam
Aarti Thakur-Kundalkar, Atindra Sarvadikar, Chetana Pathak, & Ashwini Modak – Vocal
