The Dr. Kashinath Ghanekar Auditorium in Thane resonated with the soulful notes of the flute on January 3 and 4, 2024, as the city hosted the 17th edition of the Annual Bansuri Utsav. The two-day festival witnessed an overwhelming turnout of classical music aficionados, transforming the venue into a hub of cultural immersion and artistic brilliance.
A Confluence of Maestros and Melody
The festival unfolded as a vibrant tapestry of India's classical heritage, featuring spellbinding performances by stalwarts. The inaugural day commenced with a unique thematic presentation, Krishna Priya, which beautifully wove together kathak dance by Aditi Bhagwat and a flute recital by festival founder Vivek Sonar. This was followed by a captivating vocal recital from Meeta Pandit.
The evening reached its sublime peak with a performance by Padma Vibhushan Pandit Hariprasad Chaurasia. Accompanied by Mahant Vishwambhar Nath Mishra on pakhawaj, the maestro's recital was a profound lesson in depth, serenity, and unwavering devotion to music, leaving the audience completely mesmerised.
Javed Akhtar Receives Pandit Hariprasad Chaurasia Award
A significant highlight of the festival was the felicitation of renowned lyricist and poet Padma Bhushan Javed Akhtar. In a packed auditorium, he was conferred the prestigious Pandit Hariprasad Chaurasia Award.
Accepting the honour, Akhtar reflected on the evolving cultural fabric of the nation. He expressed, "The country has made great progress; however, people are gradually forgetting values, literature, music, mythology and language. All these elements bind people together, and today they are needed more than ever." Deeply moved by the atmosphere, he added, "Being here today, it feels as though the entire city of Thane is playing the flute."
Sharing a cherished personal memory, Akhtar recalled once taking Pandit Hariprasad Chaurasia's autograph on a flute at a programme, an instrument he still treasures to this day.
100 Flutes Unite in a Stirring Symphony
The second day presented one of the festival's most poignant moments: a Flute Symphony performed by over 100 flautists. Ranging in age from eight to 80 years, the ensemble was led by Vivek Sonar. This powerful, unified performance served as a heartfelt tribute to both Pandit Hariprasad Chaurasia and Javed Akhtar, drawing sustained and thunderous applause from the audience.
The grand finale was marked by a powerful classical vocal performance by the illustrious Shubha Mudgal, who was expertly accompanied on tabla by maestro Aneesh Pradhan.
A Legacy Carried Forward
Expressing his gratitude for the enduring love for the festival, Pandit Hariprasad Chaurasia affirmed, "Because of everyone's love and blessings, this Bansuri Utsav will continue uninterrupted in the years to come. Through the flute, we will preserve our culture and continue this journey of carrying it forward to the next generation."
Founded by bansuri maestro Vivek Sonar, the Bansuri Utsav has, over 17 editions, cemented its place as a vital cultural platform. It diligently promotes and popularises Indian classical music with a special focus on the bansuri and its rich legacy. This year's edition transcended mere musical presentation; it powerfully reaffirmed the flute's timeless role as an instrument that binds communities, preserves core values, and keeps the soul of India's classical traditions vibrantly alive.
