Sawai Gandharva Sangeet Mahotsav is well known music extravaganza popular for musical festival. It is celebrated every year in the month of December, in the Pune city of Maharashtra, for three days. It is one of the best places for young and upcoming musicians. It is also a popular destination for famous dancers and singers. Experienced artists come and perform, and it becomes a great learning experience for all the young and budding music players as well. Everyone, including the renowned musicians and practicing artists, come to this festival pay their tribute to the great musician Pandit Rambhan Kundgolkar, also known as `Sawai Gandharva`.
History of Sawai Gandharva Sangeet Mahotsav
Sawai Gandharva Sangeet Mahotsav was first inaugurated in the year 1953. The main aim of this festival was to pay homage to the first death-anniversary of Sawai Gandharva of Kiran Gharana. Followers of Sawai Gandharva organized this event in memory with the assistance of Arya Sangeet Prasarak Mandal and Pandit Bhimsen Joshi. This music festival played a very crucial role in the betterment of Indian classical music during the time of post independence. This festival also in a way encouraged the concept of public performance of Indian classical music. The death of Sawai Gandharva is being celebrated without any clause, for the last 53 years. Until 2010, the festival mostly ended with a grand performance by Pandit Bhimsen Joshi, a disciple of Sawai Gandharva.
Spread of Sawai Gandharva Sangeet Mahotsav
This is one festival that is loved and appreciated by artists. In this musical festival performers from all over the world and across the country come to perform in front of an educated and enthusiastic crowd. Performing in this festival marks the beginning of an artist in the panorama of Indian classical music. In Sawai Gandharva Sangeet Mahotsav, artists from different vocal gharanas come to present their talent. Some of the popular gharanas are Kiran Gharana, Agra Gharana, Gwalior Gharana and Jaipur-Atrauli Gharana.
During the 1950s, music festivals with particular Gharana were popular. Along with this, artists always wanted to make the style of their particular gharana popular among the audience. This festival also helped to bring various types of artists under one umbrella. Followers of classical music take part in this outstanding music festival with immense interest and enthusiasm. This festival is eagerly awaited by people, and it wouldn`t be incorrect to say that Sawai Ghandharva Sangeet Sammelan has become a brand in the annual cultural calendar of Pune. In 2012, Sawai Gandharva Sangeet Mahotsav will be celebrating its 61st anniversary
