While searching ‘classic’ voice, Durga Jasraj finds Indian music prospering

Durga Jasraj expects more from Nagpur. Even if she was happy as over 150
classical music enthusiasts have registered themselves from the city at the auditions of the Idea Jalsa talent hunt launched jointly by her
company Art & Artistes and Indian Music Academy (IMA), she was waiting for a ‘miraculously outstanding’ performer to come and win the stage. “As Central India is infrequently visited by legendary musicians, I hope some self-developed
unusual, unique talent will come to fore,” said daughter of the legendary Pandit Jasraj while speaking exclusively to Chaitanyya Deshpande.

Yes. Celebrity children often have to face the unnecessary comparison with their parents. But on the other hand, they grow up with the dynamism, confidence, approach and wit as ancestral gifts. When Durga Jasraj interacts fluently in English, Hindi, and even in Marathi, the impact of two of India’s most prominent artistic families – the Jasrajs and the Shantarams can be felt everywhere.
All for classical music
Music, cinema, television, albums, live performances, event management, and now India’s first classical music-based talent hunt. Even much more she does. Now, in her own right, Durga Jasraj is a producer and organiser who has been making phenomenal contribution to the Indian classical music - more so with her business acumen and organising skills. Years before, she did Zee TV’s Antakshari show, and people still remember her for the same.
Unlike the other stalwarts of classical music, she joined commercial industry. But her aim was different. “Yes. I decided to become famous by getting popular on TV, so that I can be able to accumulate enough influence to obtain support for my efforts to reinforce and promote the classical tradition,” she explained. Years passed after Antakshari, and now, ‘Jalsa’ is here. One more step in her journey aiming towards the prosperity of Indian Classical music. Let’s take a look, what happened during this journey until now.
Art and Artistes
Teaming up with Vikram Shankar, Durga Jasraj founded Art and Artistes India Pvt Ltd, which is into event management, TV software, and producing devotional albums. This company ventured into everything musical – from live theme concerts, music festivals to concept albums. The programme of live performances by legendary classical music exponents, held under ‘Jalsa’ title, received overwhelming response all over India. A well-liked TV series was also made on this concept and telecast on Doordarshan. Expanding the same, now she wants to go into common people and search hidden talent from them.
Indian Music Academy
In 2000, a body for classical musicians called IMA (Indian Music Academy) was formed. It went on to organising world-class concerts and concepts such as Golden Voice Golden Years, Utsav, Jalsa, Tiranga and Cult Fusion. “It’s a body of musicians and it has patrons like Pt Hariprasad Chaurasia, Pt Shiv Kumar Sharma, Pt Jasraj, Ustad Amjad Ali Khan, Lata Mangeshkar, Ustad Zakir Hussain,” she said. One of the main objectives is to popularise classical music.
Efforts bearing fruits
When asked about the response by youths and future of Indian Classical Music, Durga quoted her father Pandit Jasraj who used to say that present generation is very enthusiastic, responsible and even more intelligent than old folks. Informing that 60 per cent of the audience of Jalsa live in concerts were youths under 35 years, she lamented that media is reluctant to highlight such good things with classical music. Yet, she concluded in her father’s words “Our heritage is in safe hands.”

World ambassador of Indian classical music

Those who had a pleasure of attending a concert of young debonair classical music
exponent Kumar Sunil Mungee in Nagpur on November 6 must remember the evening for years ahead. Sunil’s melodious voice and energetic presence on the stage captivated the audience for hours at CP Club Lawns. However, those who missed this unique opportunity to see this young ‘International’ artist, have missed the performance of ‘future maestro’ for sure. Chaitanyya Deshpande had an exclusive informal chat with Sunil who was on his way to the concert.

Learning from legend
Sunil, who hails from Indore, started learning music when he was five. He accepted the traditional ‘Guru-Shishya Parampara’ to start his journey in the field of music, wherein the pupil stays with his Guru and undergoes rigorous training. Sunil stayed with his Guru Padma Shri Late Pandit Jitendra Abhisheki, a maestro of Indian music, for over 15 years. “Rightly said, Sangeet is a Gurumukhi vidya. The training needs devotion, dedication, and complete surrender,” said Sunil. “It was strict, still careful. We had to start with Tanpura before 4 O’clock in the morning. The practice used to continue day-long, sometimes even after 10 in the night. We used to strive for hours to find one perfect ‘sur’,” expressed Sunil. No need to tell, this devotion enabled him to keep his voice ‘fit’ even during his travel around the globe while enjoying all the cuisines.

Going global
The ‘highlight’ of Sunil’s career is his selection as an international vocalist by United States of America. As per its national policy, USA selects one excellent artist from all over the world and offers citizenship to the artist. With the use of their well placed sources, USA selects an artist, under 30 years of age. He must have performed in 15 countries, and must have over 50 newspaper reviews on his performances. Moreover, his name must be recommended by a Senator. No artist can approach personally to any Senator for recommendation. It is the matter of pride for all Indians as Sunil was selected amongst 24,843 artists from various countries for this rare honour. He accepted the NRI status in 1999, with a soul aim of spreading the fragrance of real Indian Music.
Today, he performs from the East to the West Coast of the USA, in UK, Switzerland, The Netherlands, UAE, Australia and African continents besides India. Sunil makes an effort for the western audience to understand, experience and appreciate the rich, traditional and ancient Indian Classical music. A habitual reader, Sunil is presently working on a book which highlights the journey of an artist, musician.

International audience
Today, Sunil has become the torch-bearer of the tradition to promote the music of India. He has over 400 concerts to his credit. Sunil strongly believes in quality of music and thus has a tremendous fan-following all over the globe. When asked about non-Indian audiences’ response, he said, they are very enthusiastic and open-minded.
“We have to provide a little written material to them and they start enjoying all Ragaas, and Sargams. I used to interact with my audience and tell them the facts about classical music in simple tounge, avoiding technicalities. This serves my purpose to entertain them with my art,” said Sunil with all smiles.

Performing with Icons
Sunil’s association with Bhajan Samrat Anup Jalota and Ghazal legend Ghulam Ali, is famous on international stage. He excels in both these forms of Indian classical music. “I strived to learn Ghazals and Bhajans as these forms attract even those who don’t know the technicalities of classical music. I consider myself fortunate as I perform with the icons of these forms,” said Sunil. He informed about the musical concert ‘Generations’, in which all the three exponents perform spontaneously, without any prior script. “Response to this concert is simply overwhelming all over the world. I hope the same will be held in India very soon,” he expects.

Maintaining ‘Indianness’
Saying that our music relates directly to spirituality, Sunil strongly opposed the common tendency of Indians to westernise themselves. He said, there is no point in comparing these two completely different music forms. According to him, both are unique music forms and should not be compared. Indians must preserve our uniqueness. Sunil’s fluency in Hindi and Marathi was noticeable during the conversation. “No need to speak in English when we understand Hindi or Marathi,” he said.

Glorious grooming
As an effort to be a step bridge between music and inclusion of newer talents to music, Sunil conducts various seminars and music workshops, wherein he grooms youngsters with teachings of traditional and basic learning of music. “I never use the word ‘Students’, but I call them ‘Colleagues’,” he said adding that one who worships ‘Sangeet’, forgetting all the worldly affairs, gets spiritual satisfaction.

Goshta Chhoti, Dongarayewadhi: An Outburst!

With the first spell of rain, they start preparations for sowing, but all their hard work is at the mercy of nature. They take loans and work hard to dig a well, but whether they will get water is again nature’s will. Again taking loans, they stand in long queues to purchase firtilizers, but are at the mercy of corrupt officials. They send their kids to schools and educate them by skipping meals, but whether their children will get jobs is another story altogether. Farmers in Maharashtra are facing life-and-death crisis due to the unpardonable negligence of the government, political leaders, bureaucrats, and most lamentably, us - their brothers in urban areas.
The story is ‘small’ and simple. A farmer - loads of loans - untimely rains - re-sowing - disappointment - despair - and suicide. But when the same story repeats itself more than ten thousand times in five years, it becomes a disaster. Maharashtra, especially Vidarbha, is witnessing the same disaster year after year. Government undertakes surveys, NGOs collect data, and administration announces packages based on these statistics. But do we really know what can compel a man to take his own life? No one takes into consideration the humiliation farmers face again and again, for growing crops - that too, just for pursuing their occupation, and feeding the nation. No one thinks about the compromise farmers make with their self-respect day in and day out at the hands of government ‘babus’, bank employees, and even low key staffers.
When sensitive hearts of artists like Sayaji Shinde, Nagesh Bhonsale, Makarand Anaspure listen to the call of social responsibility, a film like ‘Goshta Chhoti Dongarayewadhi’ is born. Simply put, it is an outburst of the misery that farmers in Vidarbha are facing since last many years.
A production of Pentagon House, a joint venture of actors Makarand Anaspure, Nagesh Bhonsale,Sayaji Shinde,noted cinematographer Suresh Suvarna and Laxmikant Khabaria, the film was released in Western Maharashtra last week, where it received overwhelming response.
Prof Machhindra Chatey of Deoyani Movies, which is distributing the film, has announced to donate all money earned from the film for education of farmers’ wards. This social touch makes it a ‘commercial’ ‘art’ film.
The star cast includes Makarand Anaspure, Sayaji Shinde, Madhu Kambikar, and director Nagesh Bhonsale, with the legendary Nilu Phuley in one of his last performances. The film has a serious tone throughout, keeping in mind the gravity of the issue. The story is of any and every village of Vidarbha. Educated young farmers facing crisis - their helplessness in face of natural and administrative whim - and a suicide. Nandu (Nagesh Bhonsale), a debt-ridden farmer and his friend Rajaram Pawar (Makarand Anasapure) are struggling to make two ends meet. Trapped by destiny, Nandu commits suicide. This tragedy brings a brainstorm in Rajaram’s mind. He decides to make the leaders and bureaucrats aware of farmers’ pains, by speaking in the language they understand. Rajaram kidnaps the Agriculture Minister (Sayaji Shinde) and shows him the harsh reality of a village. How Rajaram manages to kidnap a minister with ‘Z plus’ security is interestingly depicted. The actors, all veterans in their own right, do complete justice to their roles.
The thing which relates us more to the film is the character sketches by story-screenplay and dialogue writer, Shyam Pethkar. This Vidarbha-based journalist-turned-playwright sensitively pens all the nuances and pains of farmers’ lives. Pethkar’s study of plight of farmers, and his observation is revealed from time to time during the film. His stellar touch can be seen in the character of Nilu Phuley, an elderly farmer who loses his young son. His dialogues bring tears to the eyes, also bring on the smiles and most importantly, make us think. All urban youths should go and watch this film to know the naked reality of the village and predicament of farmers.
The background music by Shailendra Barve is appreciable and remains with you long after the movie ends. The film has a four-liner sung by Nagesh Bhonsale and another four lines by Shahir Vitthal Umap. These lines are used with great impact with the background music, a new experiment in Marathi films. Following the lines of Shwas, and Dombiwali Fast, the film is sure to grab several awards for both its hard-hitting theme and excellent performances.
A must watch for people who appreciate changing trends in Marathi cinema.
If villages are facing tragedy, the least urban educated people like us, living in luxury, can do is go to cinema halls to know the facts. A thought-provoking, excellent film after a long time.

‘God exists in everything; music is the most divine form’

(Veteran lyricist-composer-singer Ravindra Jain was in Nagpur recently when I spoke to him. Published in The Hitavada on July 12)


For today’s television-savvy generation that knows ‘Ramayana’ and ‘Bhagvadgeeta’ only through his words, Ravindra Jain is a master story-teller. For those who love the ‘classical’ touch in film music, Ravindra Jain is an ideal composer. For those who appreciate literature in lyrics, Ravindra Jain is a lyricist par excellence. And for those thousands of upcoming poets, singers, and musicians who are struggling for success, Ravindra Jain is a temple of inspiration.

Life is celestial harmony…

Sixty-five-year-old Ravindra Jain looks quite young in his long black hair and his trademark eyeglasses. May be it is because of the fact that he welcomes change positively. “Change, the most constant phenomenon of life, should be accepted with a smile. God exists in each and every thing and change is not an exception,” said Jain, who is witness to changes in the music industry during last four decades. Presently, he is working with the third generation of entertainment mavericks - be it the Sagar family or the Barjatyas. “Working with Papaji (Ramandand Sagar) and Tarachand Barjatya was a learning experience. Now, working with their grandsons, too, is an energizing affair,” he said.

Music is God’s gift…

In addition to the special vision, the Almighty has gifted Ravindraji with spiritual sur. He loves singing more than writing and composing music. Born and brought up in Aligarh, Ravindra’s first Guru was his father Pt Indramani Jain. He started composing bhajans when he was a kid. “You need words to express your feelings and music to say what is beyond the realm of words. Words play important role in a song, but music comes naturally as the Sur exists in the universe. Nature produces divine symphonies and therefore music is closer to the Lord.”

Present day music…

‘Films were Jain’s obsession which brought him to Mumbai from Aligarh via Kolkata. Even today, he loves to compose for films. However, he never denies that he reached out to people through his compositions for television serials. He is happy that music of his recent films ‘Vivaah,’ and ‘Ek Vivaah Aisa Bhi’ was appreciated even by the young generation. Currently, he is working on the mega project ‘Taansen.’ “While accepting new things, we should not ignore the ancestral wisdom. The trends and crazes would come and go, but our classical music will stay unfazed,” he asserted. Jain also expressed concern over increasing importance of talent hunt contests today. “When I was invited as a judge in one of the shows, I told the budding singers that this is just a platform to show talent. What follow this are the long years of struggle,” told Jain, who is credited with bringing great singers like Suresh Wadkar and Yesudas into the industry. He proudly states that his disciples struggled a lot and created their position on their own.

Nagpur connection…

Probably, no one knows that this legendary musician was a Nagpurian for a few years. Jain informed he used to live at Ring Road, Ambazari area with his brother around 1957. “I was in Nagpur for more than a year. I love this place and its people. They have an ear for music and it is easy to read their hearts,” said Jain, even as he finished saying several names from his stay in the Orange City and its peculiarities, rushing back into his memory.
Our boy Ravindra, after all!



(Photos by Anil Futane)

He writes ‘simply’ what his listeners speak...

(Interaction with lyricist Sameer when he was in Nagpur on a private visit. This was published in The Hitavada on June 12)

After knock on his room’s door, a five-and-a-half-feet fair middle aged man in a French cut wearing a simple white shirt and denim jeans welcomed us with assured smile. When asked for a few minutes from his busy schedule, he sat relaxed and said “Chahe jitni bate kar lo yaar, koi bat nahi.” This is Sameer’s simplicity which makes him the lyricist who, for the past 25 years, has captured successfully the spirit of the Indian youth in his songs. He knows the youths’ pulse, their dreams, their hopes and their concerns. And by articulating them in a language they understand, he has now emerged as the voice of GenNext.

Being updated…

Sameer had worked with all top notch music composers, from Usha Khanna to Anand-Milind to Jatin-Lalit and Anu Malik to Dilip Sen-Sameer Sen, and of course, Nadeem-Shravan. Presently, he is working with the third generation of music directors that is Vishal Shekhar, Adesh Shrivastava, and his favorite Himesh Reshammiya. “As a lyricist, I have to give the composers exactly what they want. With new demands of new generation, I have to keep myself updated. I read a lot, observe a lot, and interact a lot for this,” says Sameer.



Words first or tune?

The conflict is well known. A few senior lyricists believe that arranging words on the pre-decided tune is like a murder of lyricist’s creativity and freedom. However, Sameer has a different opinion. “Vice versa, it may be the murder of music director’s creativity and freedom if he had to arrange the pre-written words mandatorily to the tunes. Making film is a team work, and a very technical thing. We have to adapt our self with the new concepts in order to survive. However, real skill and challenge is in maintaining your quality of words in this scenario,” he adds. He believes that his success from last twenty five years speaks a lot about himself.

Record breaking work …

Till date Sameer has written over 4000 songs for about 500 Hindi and Bhojpuri films and 35 private albums. This is a world record. He has won three Filmfare Awards for best lyricist. However, he works for people and not to make or break any records.

On reality shows…

Sameer believes, reality shows bring good talent to fore, but the contestants rarely have future after the contest ends. He adds, the contests give excessive glamour to the participants. Gradually, they start losing modesty. “This is serious. You must be modest when you are in the field of art,” says Sameer who wrote ‘Mohabbate Lutaunga’ theme song for first Indian Idol Abhijeet Sawant’s debut album. Sameer says, every person is talented; however, the need is to realize and nurture it. “Many youngsters write exceptionally well. They must develop their skill.”



On media…

Sameer believes, celebrities run away from media as it spreads misconceptions to gain TRP. “They misquote us, give wrong opinions. They decide who is culprit and who is innocent even before the court does. This is unfortunate,” he laments.

On Nagpur…

“I am here for the first time. However, this city feels really refreshing. ‘Yaha ki Aabo Hawa me sukun hai, Shanti Hai,’ says Sameer who also praises the greenery of the Orange City.


(Photos by Anil Futane)

Dipadi Dipang... begins and audience rocks!

(An interaction with Dr Salil Kulkarni and Sandeep Khare, pre-published in The Hitavada)

Honesty is key to success: Sandeep Khare

His identity, ‘Ayushyavar Bolu Kahi’ is heading towards 500th show, and poet Sandeep Khare finds only one secret of this success - Honesty towards work.
“Even after performing these songs for more than hundreds of times, I have to perform in such a way that they should look new. This is possible only when I am honest towards my job,” said Sandeep, who holds a Bachelors degree in Engineering.
According to Sandeep, having a sensitive heart is enough to become a poet. “Poetry is spontaneous reaction of a subconscious mind. You do not have to experience each and everything which you write,” said Sandeep.
Speaking on his unique style of writing straight forward and simple language, he said, “I represent the new generation. Young people are straight-forward. They do not relate with ornamental language. Especially, intellectual Marathi youths like my work, because it was written in their own form - in the way they think.”
When asked about the contemporary poets, and Marathi Sahitya Sangh’s literary meets, Sandeep said, “I never followed the popular style of attending poetry meets, and present poems. Fortunately, I got appreciation, and audience both on my own.” Unlike publishing the poetry collection, Sandeep chose a way to release albums, and perform on stage to reach the audience, which was eventually, a great success. “As my poems are subjective, they form impact when I present them in front of audience, that is why, I published my poems after success of my albums.” This formula brought a grand success to Sandeep as his maiden collection ‘Maunachi Bhashantare’ was a best seller.
Sandeep said, a poet have to think in the third person’s perspective to find the best expression. “Its important to see things around us in third person’s point of view to write effectively.”
When asked about performing in Nagpur, he said, “Unlike Pune, we find an audience with Hindi touch in Nagpur. They are interested in Ghazals, Nazms and many other forms of literature.”

All for our audience, says Dr Salil Kulkarni
“WHATEVER we are today, is because of the love, and encouragement given by the Marathi audience all over the world,” said musician Dr Salil Kulkarni.
“It’s unbelievable that we will perform for the 500th time in the upcoming show of ‘Ayushyavar Bolu Kahi.’ When launched, it was totally a new concept in Marathi. We were not even sure to complete ten shows in all,” accepted Dr Kulkani. Today, the show has 500 stage performances to its credit. The duo Dr Salil Kulkarni and Sandeep Khare have performed in 10 countries all over the world including 31 shows in USA. “We get inspiration, and energy to perform from our audiences enthusiastic response.”
Dr Salil, who is a known face for Marathi audience, through the Sa Re Ga Ma Pa talent hunt, believes that learning classical music is must to become a good singer. An MBBS, Dr Kulkarni runs a music school at Kothrud. For him, life and music are not two different things. He said, the values instilled in childhood by family, and especially, by mother, play an important role in building one’s personality. Refusing the chances of ‘ego-clash’ between him and his lyricist Sandeep, Dr Kulkarni said, “Me and Sandeep are very good friends and we believe on each others’ work. People do like to here such news, but we come with another milestone album, instead of an ego-clash,” he said. Expressing happiness over booming Marathi music industry, Dr Kulkarni said, “It’s due to the teamwork, and a quality of Marathi artists, that we are producing a milestone music, and films these days.”
Being a judge in a talent hunt contest, Dr Kulkarni is well introduced to the emerging talent of Maharashtra. “I am happy that singers coming from rural areas, are achieving a grand success in Mumbai and Pune. Vidarbha has a recent example of Vaishali Made. Hailing from a village near Hinganghat, she has become a Voice Of India,” he said.
“Vidarbha has a huge talent. Just youths have to stop underestimating themselves and and think with a global vision. They have many opportunities welcoming them in larger scenario,” appealed Dr Kulkarni.

Maestros use music to bring alive varied moods of life



IT is rare these days to see Dr Vasantrao Deshpande Hall packed to capacity. However, on Saturday evening, it was a different story. It was a full house as Nagpurians gathered for ‘Ayushyavar Bolu Kahi’, a musical presentation of Marathi poems, popularised by noted musician Dr Salil Kulkarni and poet Sandeep Khare.
The programme made the audience laugh, whistle, dance, introspect and even shed tears during the three-hour musical journey. Organised jointly by Vidarbha Gaurav Pratishthan and Purti Group, the programme was a grand success.
It was the 499th show of ‘Ayushyavar Bolu Kahi.’ Dr Salil Kulkarni started with Omkara Anadi Anant... and set the mood. More musical and emotional shades painted the evening colourful when three rain-songs, love poems, Marathi ghazals, shayaris, some humorous poems were thrown in by the duo. The chirpy children’s songs also won loud applause.
The programme was aptly punctuated with the humourous tit-bits of Dr Salil and Sandeep. The duo cracked jokes, shared funny incidents and made some spontaneous comments which added to the entertainment value of the show.
Aditya Athalye accompanied gave good company on tabla while Sachin Chandrachud arranged the sound system.
At the outset, Nitin Gadkari, President of Vidarbha Gaurav Pratishthan, Prof Suresh Dwadashivar, Editor of Lokmat, Praveen Dixit, Commissioner of Police, Pravin Bardapurkar, Resident Editor of Loksatta, Udaybhaskar Nair, Chariman of Nairsons, lighted the traditional lamp and felicitated the artists. Gadkari, Bardapurkar, and Dwadashiwar were also felicitated by Vidarbha Gaurav Pratishthan on the occasion. Adv Bhanudas Kulkarni conducted proceedings of the programme.

MUGDHA’s ‘Dipadi Dipang; gets them rocking:



While presenting the song, ‘Dipadi Dipang...’, Dr Salil Kulkarni appealed female singers from the audience to join him. On his call, a charming young girl, beaming with confidence walked on the stage, bowed in front of Maa Saraswati, and performed sitting next to Dr Kulkarni like a true professional. The girl, Mugdha Kale, stole the show as the crowd demanded an enthusiastic once more. Dr Salil Kulkarni praised her calling her an exceptional talent while Sandeep Khare demanded copy of his photograph with Mugdha as he felt she was a mega star of future.

Exploring new horizons of classical music

“GURU Shishya Parampara is the soul of Indian classical music,” believes accomplished Tabla artist Taal Yogi, Pt Suresh Talwalkar, who was in Nagpur to conduct a workshop on music organised by Nadbhrahma cultural organisation, when he shared his views on present scenario in classical music, new concepts introduced by him, his expectations from young talent, and of course, the scorching summer of Nagpur with me. This article is pre-published in The Hitavada on May 15.

On teaching classical music...
HE IS one of the greatest Tabla exponents of present times, has contributed immensely to the glorious tradition of Indian classical music as an expert musicologist, and is a versatile Guru. Pandit Sureshji Talwalkar, inspite of being busy with worldwide solo concerts, finds time to conduct workshops for children.
“My Gurus taught me that Sangeet, even if earned after a long Tapasya, is not your property. It is a cultural heritage of the nation. So, it is my duty to share it with the new generation.”
On Guru Shishya tradition...
Sureshji is an ardent follower of Guru Shishya tradition. He is also the chief Guru for a project based on Guru Shishya Parampara, initiated by a 100-year-old organisation in Kolhapur.
“I am associated with this organisations since last seven years. Importance of Guru is the greatest in music, as it is a Gurumukhi Vidya. It’s not only about information but, about Riyaaz (practise), Anubhav (experience), and Anubhuti (realisation).” He also advised students to follow any one Guru with complete dedication for achieving success.
On being a good disciple...
“A good disciple needs to have six qualities, surrender, devotion, heart, sincerity, punctuality and loyalty. Being a good disciple is the key to success in any field”
On novel concepts...

Pt Talwalkar has the credit of introducing new concepts in Indian classical music. His Taal Yatra, Taal Kirtan, Taal Mala and an idea of using vocal accompaniment for the Tabla solo, instead of only harmonium or saarangi.
“Firstly, when a singer sings, the laya is maintained on the Tabla by providing the appropriate theka. Secondly, words used in a vocal composition help the music lover identify the Tabla performance. It makes the Tabla solo more user-friendly,” said Panditji.

On awards and titles...
Sureshji has been honoured with a number of awards and titles, including ‘Sangeet Poornacharya’ by Poornawad Vishwa Vidya Pratisthan, ‘Swarasadhana Ratna’ by Abhinav Kala Samaj Indore, and most importantly, the title of ‘Taal Yogi’ by the Shankaracharya. “I spent sleepless nights when Shankaracharya announced the ‘Taal Yogi’ title for me. I take the honour as responsibility, and each title adds to the same.”
On Kirtan’s impact on him...
Kirtan is indeed a blend of music, vocal, and other dance art forms, and also an inspiration behind the new concepts introduced by Pt Talwalkar. As he hails from a Keertankar’s family, he is very attached to this art form. “Kirtan not only gives artististic accomplishment, but also instills values and principles in your personality.”
On Nagpur kids, and summer...
“I am quite impressed with the Nagpur kids. The three-day workshop has been a great success,” said Pt Talwalkar, mentioning that city audience has a musical ear.
“Nagpur audience is known to be choosy,” he said. However, conducting a workshop in scorching Nagpur heat was quite a difficult task.
“Its too hot! Moreover, I had a survical spondalities pain before coming to Nagpur. Thanks to efforts of ‘Nadabrahma’; I managed to come and conduct the workshop.”
Message to the new generation...
“I am happy that awareness is developing amongst youths about classical music. I would suggest them to hear more music, and learn from a good Guru. Riyaaz is the only key to success” says Pt Talwarkar with his signature ‘broad’ smile.

Fine screenplay + good director + sincere teamwork = Super hit serial

(Speaking with Dr Shirish Gopal Deshpande...)

WEEKDAYS, prime time at 8.30 pm. All eyes are glued on ‘Star Pravah’ channel. This is probably the fixed schedule for many amongst us. The inspiring title song, ‘Indrajimi Jambhapar Badav Suambapar…’ hits the TV screens, and the magic begins. And the man behind it, Dr Shirish Gopal Deshpande, who wrote the screenplay for Raja Shiv Chhatrapati, is no stranger to Nagpurians. Dr Deshpande, who hails from the city, is a well known scholar of Marathi literature, HoD of Marathi in SNDT University, Mumbai, and he has mastery over two contrasting subjects; Dnyaneshwari and screenplay writing.
“Screenplay writing is a totally different genre of literature. Whether for films, or for serials, the task is always more challenging than that of subjective writing. The producers of this serial approached me after reading my novel, ‘Raja Shahaji.’ While reading the book, they felt that the script of Raja Shiv Chhatrapati is somewhere in this novel itself,” said Dr Deshpande, while sharing the origin of the concept. “I studied the life and character Raja Shahaji, so was confident about writing the screenplay for Raja Shiv Chhatrapati,” expressed Dr Deshpande, who accepted the offer as a challenge to bring Shivaji’s altogether different perspective before the audience.
“Until now, the story of Chhatrapati Shivaji was restricted to four to five heroic incidents in his life. Several plays were staged and films made, but they highlighted only heroic deeds like Afzal Khan’s assassination, the rescue from Agra, Tanaji Malusare’s sacrifice, and Bajiprabhu Deshpande’s struggle in Pavan Khind. I decided to write a comprehensive screenplay which would bring out each and every shade of this personality.”
This is why Dr Deshpande highlighted Shivaji’s childhood and his youth. Even after almost 90 episodes, Afzal Khan’s assassination is yet to come. “It took time, because we have shown how the King was groomed by his mother, by circumstances and by mother earth. We answered several questions and fallacies regarding Shivaji,” said Dr Deshpande. Depicting Shivaji’s struggle against his own men was the most challenging task for him as it was a point that could fray people’s sentiments. However, Dr Deshpande did it so delicately, that there was no reason for protest.
Asked whether unanswered questions like why Chhatrapati Shivaji negotiated with Mirza Raje Jaisingh, and went to Agra or how he was rescued safely from Agra with all his men, will be answered or not, Dr Deshpande assured that all answers and justifications will be given in the upcoming episodes.
The man who wrote the screenplay, the soul of the serial, and parts of the rousing title song modestly shared the credit of success with the whole team. “Director Hemant Deodhar, Editor Prashand Khedekar and a sincere team have made the project successful,” he said, adding that it is always exciting for him to watch the episodes on TV. “Not only the director, but the actors also consult me several times. After all, it is teamwork.”
A multi-faceted personality, Dr Deshpande is doing research on Newton and Albert Einstein’s laws of gravity. Teaching is his joband writing screenplays a passion. However, his dream is a great serial on Lord Shri Krishna.
“Like Shivaji, many shades of Krishna’s personality are also missing in his depiction. It’s all about his childhood, his youth (Baal Leela and Raas Leela), and Shrimad Bhagwad Geeta in Mahabharata! I have a dream to write a serial which will show several great aspects of Jagadguru Shri Krishna’s personality.”