Nagpur: 30 July 2026

The 33rd Dr. Vasantrao Deshpande Memorial Music Festival, organised by the South Central Zone Cultural Centre (SCZCC), Nagpur, under the Ministry of Culture, Government of India, commenced with great grandeur on Wednesday, July 29, 2026, at 6:30 PM.

The festival was inaugurated with the ceremonial lighting of the lamp by Shri Vishwas Nangare Patil, Commissioner of Police, Nagpur City, renowned chef Shri Vishnu Manohar, eminent classical vocalist Padma Shri Shubha Mudgal, and Smt. Aastha Karlekar, Director, SCZCC, Nagpur. Also present on the occasion were Smt. Mithila Talwanekar, Deputy Director, and Shri Deepak Kulkarni, Assistant Director (Programmes), SCZCC. The dignitaries were felicitated by the Director of the Centre with shawls, mementoes, and saplings.

The inaugural performance featured an enthralling classical vocal recital by Padma Shri Shubha Mudgal. She began her presentation with the composition "Barkha Mein Kou Maan Karat Hai" in Raag Madhuvanti, set to Vilambit Roopak and Madhya Laya Teentaal. She then rendered the evocative Dadra "Saiyan Bin Laagat Boond Kataari" and concluded with the traditional Jhoola composition "Jhoolen Aaj Lalit Hindore Sakhiyaan". She was accompanied by Shri Aneesh Pradhan on tabla, Shri Sudhir Nayak on harmonium, and Ms. Surabhi Ubade and Ms. Shreya Salodkar on tanpura.

The second presentation of the evening was a mesmerising sitar recital by acclaimed sitar maestro Shri Niladri Kumar. He commenced his performance with Raag Jai Jaiwanti and concluded with Raag Bhairavi. He was accompanied on tabla by Shri Satyajit Talwalkar.

The opening day witnessed an overwhelming response from music connoisseurs and art enthusiasts. The programme was compered by Smt. Shweta Shelgaonkar.

On Thursday, July 30, 2026, the festival will feature the acclaimed Marathi musical play "Devbabhali", presented by Bhadrakali Productions, Mumbai. Written and directed by Shri Prajakt Deshmukh, with music composed by Shri Anand Oak, the production has completed over 800 performances. Blending traditional abhang with contemporary theatrical presentation, the play has received 44 awards and has been widely appreciated for its artistic excellence.

 

PIB Nagpur | Saurabh Khekde/ Priti Malandkar

 

 

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