A Magical Musical Evening

Bolava Vitthal

Bolava Vitthal begins with Jai Jai Ramakrishna Hari

Significance: This is the month of Ashad, and the Ekadashi that falls in the Shukla Paksha of this month is the most auspicious of all Ekadashis, called the Shayani Ekadashi or the Ashadi Ekadashi. Being of great religious significance to the Vaishnavas, this is the day on which Lord Vishnu begins his divine slumber, the Chaturmas. Ashadi Ekadashi was celebrated on the 23rd of this month.

In Maharashtra and Northern parts of Karnataka, scores of devotees walk in large groups, singing praises to Lord Vitthala in the form of Abhangs, and reach Pandharpur, the holy abode of Lord Vitthala and his consort Rukmini or Rakhumabai. 

This musical concert was a part of a series called Bolava Vitthal, held all over the country in this holy month. The evening was one of its kind, a rare treat for music aficionados of Mangalore, organised by Pancham Nishad Foundation, Mumbai and Sangeet Bharati Foundation, Mangalore. Rahul Deshpande, Anand Bhate, Gayatri-Ranjani, lit up the evening with their stellar performances.

Sri Rahul Deshpande, left the audience in awe

The evening began with the all-time favorite 'Jai Jai Ramakrishna Hari' by all four of them together. This was followed by a solo recital by Rahul Deshpande. This man is blessed with an amazingly rich voice, and he left the audience mesmerised at the end of his performance.

The sisters Ranjani-Gayatri enthralling the audience

This was then followed by the talented sister duo, Ranjani and Gayatri, who apart from being Carnatic vocalists, are also accomplished violinists. Then came Anand Bhate, who I had the good fortune of listening to live, right by the Ganges a few months ago. He's one of my favorite singers, and he sang one of my most favorite songs originally sung by Bharat Ratna Pandit Bhimsen Joshi, who happens to be his Guru. 

Sri Anand Bhate during his soul stirring performance

And the surprise waiting in the end was a duet by both Rahul Deshpande and Anand Bhate, 'taal bole chipalela' (you can find a similar one they sang elsewhere on YouTube). The last rendition left us enthralled, and the crowd in the packed Town Hall of Mangalore, rose to their feet to applaud these maestros. 

Taal Bole Chipalela, a marvelous rendition

This was truly a magical evening and I hope Mangalore sees more such events in the future!