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Why is it special?
A Grand Confluence
A sangam like never before.
This year gave us no respite from constrained Covid-19 conditions. All over India, performing arts remained in the backseat. Indian classical artists felt backed up against the wall, unable to hold events and concerts.
Rithwik Foundation for Performing Arts has always been keen to support performing arts and artists. When lockdown conditions came into effect, we immediately shifted gears and entered a digital medium. We were adamant to continue supporting artists.
Melange Monsoon Magic epitomizes this thought process. After auditoriums shut down all over the country, it became immensely difficult for performing arts organisations to arrange physical shows. RFPA persisted, and proudly presents Melange Monsoon Magic, a 'phygital' event which we've recorded by adhering to strict hygiene practices. We successfully arranged not one or two but 7 excellent artists to record this event at our auditorium in Pune.
The event premiered on Saturday, 31st July 2021, and was well received. We hope you too enjoy the fruits of our sweet labour.
Artists of Melange Monsoon Magic
Rujuta Soman
Rujuta Soman is one of the international leading Kathak dancers of India and founder of the Rujuta Soman Cultural Academy. She was honed and polished under the tutelage of late Guru Pandita Dr. Rohini Bhate for over 20 years. She has to her credit many productions like Rajahansa, Trishna, Krishna Sankeertan, Shivashakti Tatva, Bhairav Bhawataraka and several other prestigious performances.
Raghunandan Panshikar
At 11, Raghunandan Panshikar began his formal study of music under the tutelage of the late Pandit Vasantrao Kulkarni. 6 years later, he commenced training with Gaan Saraswati Smt. Kishori Amonkar. By training with both Mogubai-ji and Kishori-ji, Raghunandan achieved an authenticity in many aspects of the Jaipur-Atrauli style: a full throated akaar, dazzling taans, sophisticated techniques such as meend and gamak, and a clever grasp of the intricacies of layakari.
Shakir Khan
Shakir Khan is one of the most promising young exponents of the legendary Etawah Gharana, following in the musical footsteps of his prodigious father and guru — the sitar maestro Ustad Shahid Parvez Khan. Shakir represents the eighth generational link in an unbroken chain of musical talent and tradition of sitar and surbahar excellence. A chain that includes, besides Ustadji, the musical legacy of Ustad Aziz Khan and Ustad Wahid Khan. Great Ustad Vilayat Khan is his granduncle.
Savani Talwalkar
Savani belongs to a family which has a great background in Indian classical music. At a very young age, her father Taalyogi Pandit Suresh Talwalkar as well as her mother Smt. Padma Talwalkar, a renowned classical vocalist of Jaipur Atroli Tradition, initiated her to the world of percussions. She is blessed with a very good sense of rhythm and plays in several rhythm cycles. She was blessed by Maharajee in the presence of Param Pujya Poornavad Vardhihnu Vishnu Maharaj Parnekar.