Grand finale: Young maestro Aniruddha and Kirana legacy mark Sawai’s close
While the Mahotsav featured several renowned artistes, the buzz on the concluding day centred on the youngest vocalist on the roster, Aniruddha Aithal. His morning performance drew widespread praise, with listeners remarking on how effortlessly the young artiste won over the audience.
Classical vocalist Sawani Shende performs on the fifth Day of the 71st Sawai Gandharva Bhimsen Mahotsav. (Express Photo by Pavan Khengre) By Meenakshi Jawale
The five-day-long 71st Sawai Gandharva Bhimsen Mahotsav, a cornerstone of Pune’s classical music calendar, concluded on Sunday with a session that blended tradition, star power and the unmistakable emergence of new talent. The Maharashtriya Mandal Sports Complex was packed on the final day, lending the evening a deeply respectful and emotionally charged atmosphere.
While the Mahotsav featured several renowned artistes, the buzz on the concluding day centred on the youngest vocalist on the roster, Aniruddha Aithal. His morning performance drew widespread praise, with listeners remarking on how effortlessly the young artiste won over the audience.
Choosing the introspective Raag Multani, Aniruddha displayed skill and musical maturity far beyond his age. His assured and composed rendition earned a prolonged standing ovation, prompting an additional presentation.
Describing the experience as a “feeling of home-coming”, Aniruddha acknowledged his musical lineage. “I belong to the same musical parampara as the festival, which is Kirana Gharana. It is a feeling of home-coming… a very special feeling,” he said.
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