This time around,they have green keertans

Dnyaneshwar Wable,50,a regular with the wari (palkhi procession) to Pandharpur,is on a green mission during the 21-day journey this year.

Dnyaneshwar Wable,50,a regular with the wari (palkhi procession) to Pandharpur,is on a green mission during the 21-day journey this year. Wable,who hails from Junnar taluka in Pune,has come up with compositions,set in keertan format,to bring about an awareness on avoiding the use of plastic,planting trees as well as water conservation this year.

Wable says he has composed nearly 20 such keertans,which appeal to the old as well as the young warkaris. And he is not alone. Bharud artiste Chandabai Tiwadi,who has been accompanying the palkhi procession for the past 35 years,is ready with a green message through the traditional folk art form. We are aware of the importance of a pollution-free environment and we have decided to use our art form to spread the message during our travel.

Wable and Tiwadi are among the 200 warkaris who will be spreading the green message of the Maharashtra Pollution Control Board (MPCB) and the Maharashtra Kala Sanskrutik Manch during their journey to Pandharpur.

Titled Paryanwarnachi Wari,Pandharichi Dwari (Environment pilgrimage up to the doors of Pandharpur),the dindi (group of warkaris) has taken it upon themselves the task of spreading environment awareness from Alandi to Pandharpur. These warkaris have undergone training with the Maharashtra Kala Sanskrutik Manch for the purpose.

MPCB official Sanjay Bhuskute said the dindi would reach out to villagers through entertainment programmes,folk dances,keertans and cultural events during the pilgrimage halts. This is the first time that the environment department has taken a special interest for such a programme with warkaris. Since they have many halts,awareness among them about environment protection as well as global warming is very essential.

The artistes are ready with powadas,bharuds,abhangs and keertans,all spreading the message of environment protection. Avoid use of plastic and stop wastage of water,close taps,plant more trees and even do not dirty surroundings are some of the messages, said Sunita Shelke who heads the group. And they have a message for farmers,too: use organic fertilisers and plant more trees.

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This time around,they have green keertans

Dnyaneshwar Wable,50,a regular with the wari (palkhi procession) to Pandharpur,is on a green mission during the 21-day journey this year.

This time around,they have green keertans

Dnyaneshwar Wable,50,a regular with the wari (palkhi procession) to Pandharpur,is on a green mission during the 21-day journey this year.