Goa plays host to numerous Indian classical
music festivals that are held throughout the year, minus the months of the monsoons
when the rains are in their full glory, restoring Goa to its most beautiful
form. However, as the heavy clouds start departing by the months of
August-September, a host of musical programmes begin reappearing on the scene, giving
the audience the treat of soothing ragas and riveting jugalbandis. Sushant
Khedekar, Vice Chairman of Kala Academy, says, “Perhaps the Goan audience loves
its dose of Indian classical music mostly in the cold weather, where, apart
from the warm clothing, the warmth of the ragas
comforts them. The months of November, December and January are very busy and
Goa sees a lot of national and international artistes make their presence felt
here.”
Apart from for its charitable activities, Tarangini
Sanskrutik Pratisthan, Mumbai, established by Pt Jitendra Abhisheki, is known
for hosting one of the biggest and eagerly awaited classical music festivals of
India, the Pandit Jitendra Abhisheki Festival. The annual festival is held by
the Trust in association with Kala Academy and Department of Art and Culture
(Govt of Goa). Renowned singer Shounak Abhisheki says, “This year, we will be
celebrating the 12th edition of the 2-day classical music festival that is held
to commemorate the birth anniversary of Pt Jitendra Abhisheki. Like every year,
the festival will be held this year in September or October; we haven’t finalised
the exact dates yet. It will feature around 16 artistes including Goan artistes
and artistes of international repute from other parts of India, who will pay
their musical tribute to the legend.”
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In addition to that, in November, Swastik
Cultural Association will be having the fifth edition of Swaramangesh – The
Master Dinanath Mangeshkar Memorial Classical Music and Dance Concert at Kala
Academy. Dr Pravin Gaonkar, President of Swastik Cultural Association, says,
“The festival that is held in association with Directorate of Art and Culture
and Kala Academy is usually supported by a few local and national business
establishments as well, and serves as a platform for Goan as well as national
musicians and dancers to perform in Goa. Last year, Swaramangesh saw singers
like Shashwati Mandal from Gwalior Gharana perform raga Miya Ki Todi followed by Tappa, Pt Suresh Wadkar performed raga
Abhogi followed by ‘natyageet’ performance originally sung by Dinanath
Mangeshkar, a Kathak performance by Mahua Shankar, a famous dancer from Delhi,
a performance by Anol Chatterjee, disciple of Pt Ajay Chakrabarty, a sitar
recital by Ustad Shahid Parvez, etc.”
Along with the ones mentioned above, other festivals
like Surashree Kesarbai Kerkar Smriti Sangeet Samaroha are scheduled to happen
mostly on November 6,7, 8 and 9. The event, which is organised annually in
memory of legendary Goan classical vocalist Late Surashree Kesarbai Kerkar in
order to provide Goan art and music lovers the opportunity to witness
performances of local artistes of national and international repute, will be
held in the temple town of Ponda, which is also the chosen venue for Girijabai
Kelekar Smriti Samaroh Goa which happens every year. In addition to these, ‘Pt.
Shridhar Parsekar Sangeet Sammelan Goa’ that happens in Parse, ‘Smt. Anjani Bai
Malpekar Smruti Sangeet Samaroh’ that is held in Mapusa and ‘Pt. Govindrao Agni
and Late Smt. Anjanibai Lolaekar Smriti Sangeet Samaroh Goa’ held in Canacona
are a few others that are eagerly awaited by fans of Indian classical music
every year.
