“It all happened during a casual conversation with the legendary vocalist Kishori Amonkar,” says Shashi Vyas, son of Hindustani maestro C.R. Vyas and Mumbai-based curator of cultural events.
“I told how much I love her abhang rendition. But she didn’t seem happy to hear that. Instead, she expressed her disappointment over her abhang programme ‘Tochi Nadu Suswaru’ not being as popular as Pt. Bhimsen Joshi’s ‘Santwani.’ I suggested the title of her programme should be changed to something that people could easily relate to,” recalls Vyas.
He soon came up with the name ‘Bolava Vitthal.’ Kishoriji was skeptical but Vyas was convinced it would work. And it did! The show in Mumbai, in 2005, was a full house.“Since then Bolava Vitthal has been an annual and significant event in the cultural calendar,” says Vyas, as he gears up for the 12th edition that will travel to 12 cities. “What is heartening is the show’s ability to draw audience year after year despite many abhang soirees happening around the country,” he says. From stalwarts to promising youngsters, ‘Bolava Vitthal’ has featured a wide range of singers belonging to both the Hindustani and Carnatic genres.
“We made a great beginning with Kishoriji. It is indeed her blessings that we have never looked back since. I am delighted that today the show has become a major platform for young artistes such as Anand Bhate, Kaushiki Chakraborty, Jayateerth Mevundi, Rahul Deshpande and more.”
‘Bolava Vitthal’ has also featured senior Carnatic vocalist Aruna Sairam, who added a refreshing dimension to her Carnatic repertoire by including abhangs. “Arunaji’s Mumbai roots shows in her approach and rendition. Ranjini-Gayatri have also travelled all over the country with us and wherever they have performed the response has been tremendous. The duo and Arunaji will perform this year too,” says Vyas.
Pancham-Nishad, a cultural outfit established by Vyas, will celebrate the completion of 12 years by holding the show in 12 cities, starting with Bhopal on July 14 followed by Indore, Thane, Ahmedabad, Nasik, Vashi, Pune, Mumbai, Bengaluru, Chennai, Mangalore and concluding in Hyderabad on August 5.
“The past 12 years have been an enriching experience for me as well as the artistes who have been with us in this journey,” says Vyas.
“The event,” he adds, “is not just about concerts, but an effort to celebrate the rich and evocative poetry of Sant Dnyaneshwar, Sant Tukaram, Sant Namdeo and Samarth Ramdas. I want people to understand the essence of these verses that are more relevant now than ever.”
