Deeparang (दीपरंग)

Attended a concert titled Deeparang (दीपरंग). Singers were Aniruddha Joshi and Rasika Joshi. They sang on pre-recorded tracks. This was a concert organized by Maharashtra Mandal Abu Dhabi (MMAD) at India Social and Cultural Center (ISC), Abu Dhabi, on 5th Nov 2021. I attended with Mihika, Aditi, Dada and Mane, Patil, Thangaokar, Oka families.

Concert started with vitthal nam. It was 'Abeer gulal (अबीर गुलाल)'. Aniruddha added his own variations while singing. It was followed by 'Maze maher pandhari (माझे माहेर पंढरी)' of Pt. Bhimsen Joshi. Aniruddha sang it in faster tempo compared to original. Rasika presented famous song composed by Lata Mangeshkar 'Airanichya deva tula (ऐरणीच्या देवा तुला)' from movie Sadhi Manse. It was followed by one of the most oversung song 'Mendichya panawar (मेंदीच्या पानावर)'. She went out of tune once in this song. Aniruddha then presented 'Khel mandal (खेळ मांडला)' from movie Natrang. Anuruddha drew applause the moment he began. Ajay Gogawle (of Ajay-Atul) had received best playback singer for this song in 2010. It was courageous to select this song, but Aniruddha did well and audience demanded once more although he didn't accede. 

They suddenly switched genre to Hindi. He first presented Sonu Nigam's  'Abhi muzmein kahi baki thodisi (अभी मुझमें कहीं बाकी थोडीसी)' from film Agneepath, composed by Ajay-Atul. It's a difficult song that he sung well. This time he agreed for once more but rather than playing track he asked audience to clap and provide rhythm. Rasika then presented Monali Thakur's 'Sawar lun sawar lun (सवार लूॅ सवार लूॅ)', composed by Amit Trivedi. She then jumped to Geeta Dutt's vintage 'Ae dil muse baat de (ऐ दिल मुझे बता दे). 

Aniruddha then sung the career defining song of Swapnil Bandodkar 'Radha hi bawari (राधा ही बावरी)'. Audience sang the mukhda of this song impromptu. Rasika and Aniruddha  then presented title tracks of Marathi TV serial 'Phulala sugandh maticha (फुलाला सुगंध मातीचा) and 'Online shubhamangal (ऑनलाईन शुभमंगल)'. They are the original singers of these tracks. Aniruddha then sang modern soofi song  'Mitwa (मितवा)' from film Kabhi alwida na kehna  originally sung by Pakistani singer Shafaqat Amanat Ali. Rasika presented 'Ruperi walut (रुपेरी वाळूत)' originally sung by Asha Bhosle and composed by her son Hemant Bhosle. It was followed by Lawni 'Reshmachya reghani (रेशमाच्या रेघांनी)' sung by Asha Bhosle and composed by Lata Mangeshkar. Ladies from the audience danced on this song. They presented a dhamaal duet 'Ashwini ye na (अश्विनी ये ना)' from film Gammat Jammat. Shantaram Nandgaokar had penned this special song without ळ and च, so that non-Marathi Kishore Kumar can sing it. Aniruddha yoddled well in this song. 

Sandeep Khare's Ganesh stawan in Kawwali, 'He lambodar gajmukh (हे लंबोदर गजमुख)' composed by Awdhut Gupte and sung by Farid Sabri was presented next. Towards the end of concert there was dhamal dance masti with a 15 minute medley of all kind of rhythmic songs. Audience enjoyed shaking a leg. 

Penultimate song was 'Deepawali manayi suhani (दीपावली मनाई सुहानी) because the concert was organized to celebrate Diwali. Grand finale was 'Mauli mauli (माऊली माऊली)' from film Lai Bhari sung by Ajay Gogavale.

Singers were good, song selection was good, however organization was lacking. The songs were not sequenced with any theme like time period, type, language, subject, mood etc.. They jumped from one kind to another as follows. Abhang - Old film song - new film song - new hindi songs- marathi song - marathi serial title tracks - modern soofi - again marathi romantic - kawwali - Diwali - Abhang. It appeared as if they were drawing chits and singing the song written on the chit. The thought process, theme, flow was lacking. Had this been properly thought and planned concert would have become even better.

All in all the singers (Aniruddha and Rasika) were well prepared. The music track did not have a glitch (Atul and Karim). The background visuals (Prachi) were pleasing. The two anchors (Akshay & Shreya) did their assigned job well and the script (Prashant) was well written and provided some unknown insights. If the anchors had recited Pu. La. Deshpande's 'Sanskruti mhanje kay', rather than reading, it would have been more impactful. 

Aniruddha interspersed his singing with small anecdotes about famous personalities. He also involved audience while singing and made the program interactive. He won hearts of audience. 

This program was special because it was a program after almost two years due to Covid. Members met after a long time so they took time socializing (while maintaining social distancing) causing inevitable delay of half an hour, but it was worth it.  

Aniruddha is winner of SaReGaMaPa and Sur nava dhyas nava. Rasika is also winner of multiple awards. 

A good concert. 

Disclosure: I am current trustee of MMAD.