Garjate Marathi (गर्जते मराठी)

Attended a concert titled 'Garjate Marathi (गर्जते मराठी)'. A concert featuring singers Sawani Ravindra, Kartiki Gaikwad and Aniruddha Joshi. Chinmay Udgirkar was the anchor. They were accompanied by Bhushan Rao (Tabla), Shrirang Urekar (Keyboard & conceptualization), Parimal Joshi (Synthesizer & music arranger) and Abhay Ingle (Percussion pad & Side rhythm).

This program of Marathi songs was organized by MMAD in Embassy of India auditorium on 19th May 2017.

There was a traditional start of the program with a Nandi (नांदी). 'Panchtunda nara runda  (पंचतुंड नर रुंड)' of Bal Gandharv. So many programs have started with this Nandi that it can easily be called the most famous Nandi.

First section was filled with Bhaktiras (भक्तीरस). Sawni presented Abhangwani in medley. 'Sundar te dhyan (सुंदर ते ध्यान)', 'Are are Dnyana zala (अरे अरे ज्ञाना झाला)', 'Jaydev Jaydev jai jai Shivraya (जयदेव जयदेव जय जय शिवराया)'.  Kartiki presented 'Indrayani Kathiawar (इंद्रायणी काठी). Aniruddha then presented 'Maze maher pandhari (माझे माहेर पंढरी)'. He sung it faster than the original of Pt. Bhimsen Joshi, thereby not allowing time to enjoy. However, he sung very well and deservedly got 'once more'. Idea of Percussion pad rhythm to abhang was interesting. Then 'Man suddha tuza (मन सुद्ध तुझं)' was presented by Kartiki with perfect old style singing.

Program then moved to Balgeet (बाल गीत) genre. Sawani presented medley of 'Gori Gori paan (गोरी गोरी पान)', 'Nach re mora (नाच रे मेरा)',  'Zuku Zuku Zuku Zuku agingadi (झुकु  झुकु झुकु झुकु आगीनगाडी)'. All the little children danced spontaneously (upon encouragement by performers) on this song.

Program then moved to Veer ras with Powada (पोवाडा) composed and sung by Aniruddha for movie Sangharshayatra. He sung it on pre-recorded music. It was a good composition. Sawani then presented the song that introduced her to Maharashtra. Romantic song from TV serial Honar sun mi tya gharchi 'Nahi kal'le kadhi (नाही कळले कधी)'. Sawani then sung title song of serial 'Pasant ahe mulgi (पसंत आहे मुलगीi'. She sung it on pre-recorded music. Aniruddha sung 'Gajryacha gandha (गजऱ्याचा गंध)'. Kartiki then sung her most famous song 'Ghagr gheun (घागर घेऊन)'. As expected she got 'once more'. This song was a testament of transformation of a little girl to a young lady.

Program then moved to romance with Arun Datey's 'Shukratara mand Vara (शुक्रतारा मंद वारा)' by Aniruddha and Sawani. Sawani presented a 'Lagin geet', my favourite, 'Gorya Gorya galawari (गोऱ्या गोऱ्या गालावरी)'. Chorus plays a very important part in this song. Aniruddha sung it alone excellently and gave goose bumps. Once more was not respected for this song.

Then they moved to a unique speciality of Marathi music, 'Natyageet (नाट्य गीत)'. Kartiki presented 'He surano chandra wha (हे सुरांनो चंद्र व्हा)'. Aniruddha then presented famous 'Surat piya ki (सुरत पिया की)' from Katyar kaljat ghusli (कट्यार काळजात घुसली). He topped it up with a very good Tarana.

Sawani and Aniruddha presented 'Amhi thakar thakar (आम्ही ठाकरं ठाकरं) from movie Jait re Jait (जैत रे जैत). Probably they did not practice this song together.

Then the program moved to Lavni (लावणी). Kartiki presented 'Kasa Kay Patil bara hai ka (कसं काय पाटील बरं हाय का)'. Curiously it was played on Tabla and Dhol instead of Dholki. Sawni then presented 'Wajle ki bara (वाजले की बारा)'. Audience needed no invitation to dance in the open space in front of stage.

Final segment of program was rhythmic songs and Koli geete in medley. They presented 'Hil Hil Pori hila (हिल हस पोरी हिला)'. Aniruddha missed the beat to start the song and purcussionists had to play again for him to pick the beat. This was followed by Ekveera aai tu dongrawari (एकवीरा आई तु डोंगरावरी). Sawani came down in the dancing audience to sing this song. Kartiki presented 'Chandana Chandana (चांदनं चांदनं)' and Aniruddha presented 'Navri natali (नवरी नटली)'. 

Grand finale of the program was Swatantryaweer Savarkar's 'Jayostute Jayostute (जयोस्तुते जयोस्तुते)' sung by all three. 

Bhushan Rao, a local talent, played professionally and matched others beat by beat. Other musicians were good and played aptly. All the singers also sung well.

Chinmay speaks correct Marathi fluently. He is smart, was wearing a stylish saffron kurta but the torn and patched up jeans struck a discordant note. On a number of occasions he prompted the audience to clap rather than allowing them to do it spontaneously. He came down into the audience several times and even danced with them displaying his humility. This was Chinmay's first time to anchor a program but he anchored with finesse.

Sound system created frequent humming noise that had to be quelled. There was echo in the sound system so words were not clear. Overall the sound system was a disappointment.

Garjate Marathi (Roaring Marathi) a very good title for a program that displays the variety, range and rich heritage of Marathi songs and music. From the name of program, I also expected that there will be a theme that shows the transformations of Marathi language or Marathi music. But there did not seem to be any theme. I also expected that there will be anecdotes demonstrating richness of Marathi. But it too wasn't there. A bit of effort on this was called for.

All in all a decent program.

Entertainment rating 8/10.

I have given one extra mark for successfully involving the audience.