Pune: The 70th Sawai Gandharva Bhimsen Mahotsav, a landmark event celebrating Indian classical music, is set to feature a stellar lineup of legendary artists and emerging talents this December.

The festival will be held from December 18 to 22 at the Maharashtra Mandal Sports Complex, Mukundnagar.

Srinivas Joshi, Chairman of the Arya Sangeet Prasarak Mandal, announced the participating artists during a press conference on Friday. Joining him were key members of the organizing team, including Mukund Sangoram, Shilpa Joshi, and Anand Bhate.

This year’s festival will see 15 debut performances alongside stalwarts like Pt. Ajay Chakraborty, Vidushi Arati Ankalikar-Tikekar, Pt. Sanjeev Abhyankar, Dr. L. Subramaniam, and Rakesh Chaurasia.

The event promises unique features, including an all-women Mohini Music Group, Adnan Sami’s classical piano recital, and a Bharatanatyam performance by acclaimed dancer Shobhana.

The festival’s detailed schedule spans five days, with performances by vocalists, instrumentalists, and ensembles presenting a blend of traditional and innovative interpretations of classical music.

Schedule Overview

Day 1: December 18, 3 PM to 10 PM

• Dr. S. Ballesh & Dr. Krishna Ballesh (Shehnai)

• Ustad Mubarak Ali Khan & Shashwati Chavan-Zurunge (Vocals)

• Ram Deshpande (Vocals)

• Dr. L. Subramaniam (Violin)

• Pt. Ajay Chakraborty (Vocals)

Day 2: December 19, 4 PM to 10 PM

• Krishna Bongane & Nagesh Adgaonkar (Vocals)

• Sangeeta Katti-Kulkarni (Vocals)

• Anupama Bhagwat (Sitar)

• Pt. Venkatesh Kumar (Vocals)

Day 3: December 20, 4 PM to 10 PM

• Mohini Music Group

• Sahana Banerjee (Sitar), Ruchira Kedar (Vocals), Savani Talwalkar (Tabla)

• Viraj Joshi (Vocals)

• Kaushiki Chakraborty & Rishit Desikan (Vocals)

• Purbayan Chatterjee (Sitar)

Day 4: December 21, 4 PM to 12 AM

• Saurabh Kadgaonkar (Vocals)

• Ayaan & Aman Ali Bangash (Sarod Duet)

• Anand Bhate (Vocals)

• Rakesh Chaurasia (Flute)

• Vidushi Arati Ankalikar-Tikekar (Vocals)

• Pt. Ulhas Kashalkar (Vocals)

Day 5: December 22, 12 PM to 10 PM

• Pt. Sanjeev Abhyankar (Vocals)

• Shashank Subramanyam (Flute) & R. Kumaresh (Violin)

• Milind Chittal (Vocals)

• Adnan Sami (Classical Piano)

• Shobhana (Bharatanatyam)

• Ensemble vocal performances by Aarti Thakur Kundalkar, Atindra Sarvadikar, Chetna Pathak, and Ashwini Modak.