The stage is set

The last eight days at the New English Raman Baug Grounds,Shaniwar Peth,have been about sheer hard work. A day before the 59th Sawai Gandharva Bhimsen Mahotsav starts,a huge board with a black-and-white picture of late Pandit Bhimsen Joshi stood tall against the outer brick wall of the venue. Inside,more than 300 people were at work,setting the stage for the grand music festival which begins today.

The ground has a huge seating capacity of 1,200 chairs,250 sofas and 1000 audience members for the bharatiya baithak. Several plastic chairs were stacked next to the stage. Carpets were being brought in and chairs counted. Ceiling fans were being fixed and the sound system laid out. A day prior to the event,logistical issues and decorations were being dealt with. “We have been coming here for years and it is an important part of our yearly schedule,” said Pankaj Mahekar,as he rolled up a carpet and put it aside.

Somnath Kelkar,onwer of Hindustan Video films,who is in-charge of the live screening of the event,said,”We have been coming here since 1990 and are glad to be associated with the festival.” Today,the grounds will have four closed circuit television sets placed at four corners. Two screens,each 16 by 12 feet,will be placed inside and outside the venue. Additionally,15 plasma screens of 42 inches will capture the concerts for the audience.

In another corner of the hall,the audio system was being set. This year,the mahotsav will not have a multiple speaker system. For the first time,a single speaker system by Swaranjali music company will be used. The speaker sets have been specially designed and tuned for classical musical performances.