Attended concert titled Lakhachi Goshta (लाखाची गोष्ट) of Sanjeev Mehendale (Vocal) & Minal Ponkshe (Vocal) accompanied by Vikram Bhat, Dipti Kulkarni, Anay Gadgil, Aditya Apte (Various instruments) & Manjiri Joshi (Anchor) on 13th Jun 2015 at Indian Embassy auditorium, Abu Dhabi with Aditi and Sucheeta. This concert was organized by Maharashtra Mandal.
This was a thematic program on the great Marathi actor - director Raja Paranjpe. It included commentary, clippings and songs from his films. Songs in his movies were not pasted haphazardly, but took the story forward. A number of them were penned by Ga. Di. Madgulkar (ग दि माडगुलकर) and composed by Sudhir Phadke (सुधिर फडके). Some of his movies are: Jagachya pathivar, Lakhachi Goshta, Suvasini, Jeevacha sakha, Aadhar, Padchaya, Pedgawche shahane, Pudhche Paul, Balidan, Uun paus, Pathlag etc.
Program started with Guruvin kon dakhawil wat (गुरुविण कोण दाखविल वाट) and it was followed by Kal mi Ragunandan pahile (काल मी रघुनंदन पाहीले), Maza hoshil ka (माझा होशील का), Hridayi preet jagte Janata ajanata (ह्रदयी प्रीत जागते जाणता अजाणता), Dolyat wach mazya (डोल्यात वाच माझ्या), Chalali Shakuntala (चालली शकुंतला), Kadhire yeshil tu (कधीरे येशिल तू), Tula pahte re (तुला पाहते रे), Year nath ata (येणार नाथ आता), Tya tithe palikade (त्या तिथे पलिकडे), Jag he bandishala (जग हे बंदीशाला).
Then they presented Baithakich lawni Kaho dharila majwar raag (काहो धरिला मजवर राग) it was followed by Ha maza marg ekala (हा माझा मार्ग एकला), Santh vahte Krishnamai (संथ वाहते), Khedya madhle ghar kaularu (खेड्या मधले घर कौलारु), Uddhava ajab tuze sarkar (उद्धवा अजब तुझे सरकार), Ya dolyanchi don pakhre (या डोल्यांची दोन पाखरे), Ek dhaga sukhacha (एक धागा सुखाचा), Thaklere Nandlala (थकलेरे नंदलाला), Jalimandi pikali karwande (जालीमंदी पिकली करवंदं), Ain dupari Yamuna tiri (ऐन दुपारी यमुनातिरी), Zala mahar pandharinath (झाला महार पंढरीनाथ).
Program ended with Bai mi vikat ghetla Shyam (बाई मी विकत घेतला श्याम).
There were more female songs than male songs, but song distribution could have been better. At times there were three continuous songs to same female singer. Singers omitted the last stanzas of a number of songs.
Meenal has a hard voice and though she got 'once more', she struggled a bit while expressing subtle feelings in soft songs in lower octaves.
Sanjeev was good. On 'ha Maza marg ekala' he imitated hiccups, cough and grunts during the song to perfection. Obviously he got 'once more'.
Manjiriji's commentary was controlled and supporting. She also sung two songs and drew 'once more' for one. She should have sung more. I felt that the commentary lacked information about Raja Paranjpe, the person. Some personal photographs would have been welcome too.
All the musicians were good and were applauded. Program started somewhat late. Sound system was good and audience was happy.
It was an innovative concept and was executed flawlessly. A good program.
Entertainment rating 8.5/10.
