Pandit Bhimsen Joshi is synonymous with Hindustani classical music and as the doyen of the Kirana gharana. For those unfamiliar with this genre of music it would suffice to remember " Mile Sur Mera Tumhara" the famous song on national integration which was seamlessly presented by renowned singers and magically composed by none other than Bhimsen Joshi.
This Bharat Ratna needs no introduction as he is a name to reckon in India and abroad. His demise in 2011 left a void in the world of music. Music lovers all over the world celebrate his birthday in different ways.
The GSB Sabha, Mulund, has been organising Pandit Bhimsen Joshi Smruti Samaroh to pay homage to the legend. On this occasion a prominent musician associated with Panditji is recognized for his or her contribution to Music and is felicitated with an award. The GSB Sabha had chosen Pandit Ravindra Yavagal , renowned tabla soloist and sensitive accompanist for the award in 2020.
An upcoming artist also gets the opportunity to perform at the forum. Vibha Nayak was definitely the chosen one in more than one way since her invocation to Karveer Nivasi transported us to the spiritual world.
Indulging in meditation, Dhyan and immersing oneself in music Kirtan, Abhang are different ways to reach God. It's power is so enduring that Saint poets like Sant Namdev and Sant Tukaram and Sant Eknath transformed society. Vitthal was the favourite deity who absolved all his devotees. Wasn't He the one who made Sant Namdev's search for the mortal remains of Sant Chokha Mela easy by saying that finding his bones would be easy as they too would be chanting the name of the Lord.
Faith and belief are like electricity, you cannot see the current or electricity but you can see in the light. Spirituality is beyond language, how else could one find God even in deserts ? Bolava Vithal Pahaava Vithal was the incantation.
Pandit Bhimsen Joshi also manifested Lord Vithala through his Abhangas. Pandharpur was never at a distance as one could immediately etch out Lord Vithala in Panditji’s abhangas. His singing had such a magical power . No wonder he is revered as ‘Swara Bhaskara’ , which means ‘the Sun of Music’.
Shri. Ravindra Yawagal , renowned soloist ( Tabla ) percussionist has performed with stalwarts including Bhimsen Joshi, Gangubai Hangal. He had the fortune to be performing along with Pandit Bhimsen in the Mysore Palace when he was just eighteen years of age. His fingers moved adeptly in rhythmic consonance and transported us to a different world. His felicitation at the Pandit Bhimsen Joshi Smruti Puraskar Samaroh was befitting his stature.
The icing on the cake were the renderings by Pandit Shaunak Abhisheki, the able descendant of Pandit Jitendra Abhisheki. His father and Pandit Bhimsen Joshi were of the same generation and had high regard for each other.
In 1991 when he was accompanying his father at the famous Sawai Gandharva Festival at Pune, Pandit Bhimsen Joshi exhorted that he should be performing next year. And sure enough he was given the opportunity to perform. Shaunak found his performance was wanting and shared his agony with Panditji. He has never forgotten the advice received from him. One may possess a sea of knowledge but displaying it all would drive the wind out of it. Knowledge would be useful only when it had the sharpness of the sword said Pandit Bhimsen Joshi.
No wonder Shaunak with his dedication, ( Sadhana ) had conquered eons in the field of music. His renderings were soul stirring and immersed us in colors of joy, just like the Abhang, " Abir Gulaal udhadit rang"
One has to blessed to be a part of such mesmerizing music which makes you one with God. It was our dear neighbor, Mr.Baliga, the President of the GSB Sabha, Mulund who had made this possible.
The grand finale of the program was the Bhairavi "Sarvātmakā Sarveshwarā' " written by revered Marathi poet V. V. Shirwadkar alias Kusumāgraj and immortalized by Shounak's father Pandit Jitendra Abhisheki. As we invoked the supreme being for the enlightenment and upliftment of our souls by the wise, the one whom all mortals worship seeking His mercy and enlightenment through values combined with the ability to do good and see good as well as the courage to live virtuously, I felt one with God. After all " Mazhe Maaher Pandhari...."
Pandit Bhimsen Joshi also manifested Lord Vithala through his Abhangas. Pandharpur was never at a distance as one could immediately etch out Lord Vithala in Panditji’s abhangas. His singing had such a magical power . No wonder he is revered as ‘Swara Bhaskara’ , which means ‘the Sun of Music’.
Shri. Ravindra Yawagal , renowned soloist ( Tabla ) percussionist has performed with stalwarts including Bhimsen Joshi, Gangubai Hangal. He had the fortune to be performing along with Pandit Bhimsen in the Mysore Palace when he was just eighteen years of age. His fingers moved adeptly in rhythmic consonance and transported us to a different world. His felicitation at the Pandit Bhimsen Joshi Smruti Puraskar Samaroh was befitting his stature.
The icing on the cake were the renderings by Pandit Shaunak Abhisheki, the able descendant of Pandit Jitendra Abhisheki. His father and Pandit Bhimsen Joshi were of the same generation and had high regard for each other.
In 1991 when he was accompanying his father at the famous Sawai Gandharva Festival at Pune, Pandit Bhimsen Joshi exhorted that he should be performing next year. And sure enough he was given the opportunity to perform. Shaunak found his performance was wanting and shared his agony with Panditji. He has never forgotten the advice received from him. One may possess a sea of knowledge but displaying it all would drive the wind out of it. Knowledge would be useful only when it had the sharpness of the sword said Pandit Bhimsen Joshi.
No wonder Shaunak with his dedication, ( Sadhana ) had conquered eons in the field of music. His renderings were soul stirring and immersed us in colors of joy, just like the Abhang, " Abir Gulaal udhadit rang"
One has to blessed to be a part of such mesmerizing music which makes you one with God. It was our dear neighbor, Mr.Baliga, the President of the GSB Sabha, Mulund who had made this possible.
The grand finale of the program was the Bhairavi "Sarvātmakā Sarveshwarā' " written by revered Marathi poet V. V. Shirwadkar alias Kusumāgraj and immortalized by Shounak's father Pandit Jitendra Abhisheki. As we invoked the supreme being for the enlightenment and upliftment of our souls by the wise, the one whom all mortals worship seeking His mercy and enlightenment through values combined with the ability to do good and see good as well as the courage to live virtuously, I felt one with God. After all " Mazhe Maaher Pandhari...."
Excellent narration.
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