MUMBAI: Marathi Natak and Marathi Natya Sangeet has been an integral part of the Marathi cultural ethos. The name of Bal Gandharva has been eternalized with this genre of rich and timeless music. His charisma has only grown with time for music lovers across generations. Immortalized songs are known as Natyapadas from eternal Marathi Sangeet Nataks like Saubhadra, Swayamvar, Manapman, and Ekach Pyala continue to enthrall the audiences even today. He was instrumental in popularizing Marathi Natya Sangeet and expanding its outreach to the common masses.
The program also pays rich tributes to the timeless musical legacy of noted stalwarts of the golden age of Marathi stage like Keshavrao Bhosle, Bapushaeb Pendharkar, Master Dinanath Mangeshkar, Sureshrao Haldankar, Rambhau Marathe, Jitendra Abhisheki and the Shiledar family. Conceptualized by Pancham Nishad and organized by Rithwik Foundation the musical soiree will be held at Nehru Centre, Worli on January, 18th 2020 at 6.30 in the evening.
Noted vocalists Arya Ambekar, Prathamesh Laghate, Mugdha Vaishampayan, Sumedha Desai, and Anand Bhate (bestowed with the title Anand Gandharva) will sing Natyapadas of the legends of Sangeet Rangabhoomi.
The credit for starting the tradition of Marathi Sangeet Natak goes to Balwant Pandurang Kirloskar is popularly known as Annasaheb Kirloskar who staged the first Marathi musical Play Sangeet Shakuntal in 1880. From its start, Marathi Sangeet Natak has grown in dimensions, nuances, script, and acting. Natya Sangeet typically uses prominent classical styles of singing like Khayal, Thumri and light classical forms like Dadra, Tapa, and Bhavgeet. Sangeet Natak also played a key role in highlighting the social issues of the day by staging them for the audiences.
Bal Gandharva te Anand Gandharva attempts to relive a glorious past, derive pleasure from songs that have enthralled music lovers across generations and keep alive an art form by rediscovering some hidden gems that have passed into obscurity
Rithwik Foundation for Performing Arts has been set up with the aim to promote awareness of Indian classical music and performing arts among the younger generation. The Foundation also aims to preserve the rich Indian heritage through digitization of music and performances.