Salil Kulkarni Shares Emotional Origin of Song Inspired by Nitin Gadkari
Renowned composer-singer Salil Kulkarni revealed on Sunday the heartfelt story behind his popular song 'Damlelya Babachi Kahani', tracing its origins to a 2008 cultural event in Nagpur and a subsequent meaningful conversation with Union Minister Nitin Gadkari. The revelation came during the second day of the Khasdar Jyestha Nagarik Sanskrutik Mahotsav, organized by the Jyestha Nagarik Pratisthan, where Kulkarni and Sandeep Khare performed their musical programme 'Ayushyavar Bolu Kahi' at Suresh Bhat Auditorium in Reshimbagh.
The 2008 Nagpur Show That Sparked Inspiration
In 2008, Kulkarni and his team held a performance at the prestigious Dr Vasantrao Deshpande Hall in Nagpur. During that event, their song 'Doordeshi Gela Baba' received an overwhelmingly positive response from the audience, who applauded it with genuine enthusiasm. The next day, the artist visited Gadkari's home for breakfast, where the conversation naturally turned to the successful song from the previous night.
"Gadkari remarked that even when parents genuinely want to, they often cannot give their children enough time—and that parents feel helpless in such situations too," Kulkarni recalled. "That profound thought stayed with me deeply, and eventually, a song based on that powerful emotion—'Damlelya Babachi Kahani'—took shape. That is precisely why this song holds a special connection with both Nagpur and with Gadkari himself."
Nagpur's Significant Role in Kulkarni's Musical Journey
Kulkarni emphasized Nagpur's crucial contribution to his artistic career, noting that because of Gadkari's support, they have conducted numerous concerts in the city over the years. "What began as a simple experiment has now completed 23 remarkable years, and so far we have performed an impressive 2,050 shows," he stated. "Nagpur's contribution has been truly significant. Whenever we contemplate presenting something new or innovative, Nagpur inevitably comes to mind as a preferred venue."
Musical Dialogue and Gadkari's Virtual Participation
The programme 'Ayushyavar Bolu Kahi' commenced with the evocative opening 'Jara Chukiche Jara Barobar Bolu Kahi, Chala Dostho Ayushyavar Bolu Kahi', initiating a captivating musical dialogue between Kulkarni and Khare. Union Minister Nitin Gadkari, unable to attend in person due to ill health, watched the entire event online from his home. Following Khare's presentation of his unpublished poem 'Jivant Aaji', Gadkari specifically requested the performance of 'Damlela Babachi Kahani'.
While introducing the song, Kulkarni elaborated on why this particular composition remains close to Gadkari's heart and detailed how it came into existence because of Nagpur's unique cultural atmosphere. The event was also attended by noted actress, writer, and social worker Nishigandha Wad, adding to the programme's cultural significance.
This revelation underscores how personal interactions and regional connections can profoundly influence artistic creation, blending emotional narratives with musical expression in meaningful ways that resonate with audiences across generations.
