Kusumanjali (कुसुमांजली)

Attended a musical program titled 'Kusumanjali (कुसुमांजली)'. A program featuring singers Prajakta Gokhale, Sujata Bachal, Shrikant Bhat and Girish Pande. They were accompanied by Prafulla Soman (Tabla) and Sarita Kulkarni (Harmonium). Prashant Kulkarni read the poems. Vidya Bhat, Gauri Kulkarni, Prashant Kulkarni and Nilesh Ambikar anchored the program.  The program was conceptualized, written & directed by Prashant Kulkarni and organized & produced by Nilima Wadekar.

This was a thematic program organized by 'Grantha tumchya Dari (ग्रंथ तुमच्या दारी), Abu Dhabi chapter'. Grantha tumchya Dari is an initiative of Kusumagraj Pratishthan (कुसुमाग्रज प्रतिष्ठान) to encourage Marathi book reading culture. I attended this program at residence of Nilima and Gaurav Wadekar on 26th May 2017.

Vi. Va. Shirwadkar (Pen name Kusumagraj - कुसुमाग्रज) was a very wee known Marathi poet, author and play write. His work is read and studied widely. He was awarded India's highest literary award, 'The Dnyanapeet puraskar (ज्ञानपीठ पुरस्कार)' and Padma Bhushan (पद्म भूषण). His contribution to Marathi literature is unmatched.

Program started with a video clip on Kusumagraj that elucidated his life, literary contribution, social work and personality.

Program started with very famous revolution poem and song 'Garja jayjaykar (गर्जा जयजयकार). Prashant presented two beautiful poems 'Kana' and 'Premyog'. Prajakta presented 'Hasra nachra (हासरा नाचरा)'. Sarita's harmonium was appreciated. Sujata presented 'Sarveshwara shivsundara (सर्वेश्वरा शिवसुंदरा)', curiously, without music accompaniment.

Girish presented 'Kahi bolayache ahe (काही बोलायाचे आहे)' and was applauded instantly. Prajakta then presented an unknown love song of Earth 'Yuga maguni (युगा मागुनी)'. She sung melodiously. Anchors presented a hilarious story 'Patras Karan ki (पत्रास कारण की)'. The story and presentation was too good.

Prashant presented 'Prem kar bhilla sarkhe (प्रेम कर भिल्लासारखं)'. It was followed by 'He surano Chandra wha (हे सुरांनो चंद्र व्हा)' from the play Yayati-Devayani by Prajakta and Girish. Tabalji struggled little bit.

Nilesh read out excerpt of Shirwadkar's interview of how he conceived and wrote Natsamrat (नटसम्राट). Prashant also presented three immortal passages from the same play.

Prajakta and chorus presented Samargeet 'Vedat Marathe veer daudale saat (वेडात मराठे वीर दौडले सात)' that tells the story of Prataprao Gujar and his six generals. Sareeta played well. Audience demanded once more and joined the singers while singing.

Program ended with his prarthana to the lord of world for the humanity 'Sarvatmaka Sarveshwara (सर्वात्मका सर्वेश्वरा)'.

Program started half an hour late. Sound system was good. For a large living room and small program it was ideal. Artists were not introduced at the beginning or during program, only at the end when memento was presented.

Four anchors for this program (when there were only four singers) was a bit skewed. But they carried the program well. All the artists were amateur artists, none professional. All of them performed well, however, Nilesh stood out. It was announced that the artists got only 10 days to prepare for the program. In that case it was a commendable effort.

Program was attended by more than 50. This program can be classified as well attended and a success. It lasted for little less than two hours. It was neither lengthy nor cramped. The variety and length made it crisp. Organizers expressed their intention to do more such programs. It's a very good initiative.

Grantha tumchya Dari should be applauded for conceptualizing and presenting this unique program. It's not very often that you get to attend such programs.

A very good program.

Entertainment rating 8.75/10.

I have given extra points for the concept, variety and to the fact that it was more literary than entertainment.