The 71st Sawai Gandharva Bhimsen Mahotsav Scheduled for December 10-14

• The lineup of artists performing at the Sawai Gandharva Bhimsen Mahotsav has been announced, featuring a mix of veteran and emerging talent.
• Notably, over half of the artists will be making their debut at the Mahotsav, showcasing the event’s commitment to nurturing new talent.

Pune: The 71st edition of the Sawai Gandharva Bhimsen Mahotsav, organized by the Arya Sangeet Prasarak Mandal, is set to take place from December 10 to 14 at the Maharashtriya Mandal Sports Complex in Mukundnagar. The event’s lineup was announced by Executive President Shrinivas Joshi at a press conference, which also included the presence of Shilpa Joshi, Shubhada Mulgund, Dr. Prabhakar Deshpande, Anand Bhate, and other trustees of the Arya Sangeet Prasarak Mandal.

Shrinivas Joshi shared that the Mahotsav, founded by his father Bharat Ratna Pt. Bhimsen Joshi, has a long history of showcasing renowned artists and providing a platform for emerging talent. This year’s edition will feature a blend of veteran and new artists, with over half of the performers making their debut at the event. Joshi emphasized the organization’s efforts to provide a platform for young artists to showcase their talents alongside established names.

The schedule for the 71st Mahotsav is as follows:

Day 1 – Wednesday, December 10, 2025 | 3 pm to 10 pm

The event will commence with a shehnai performance by Delhi-based Lokesh Anand, followed by a vocal recital by Dr. Chetna Pathak of the Kirana Gharana. The Mishra brothers, Ritesh and Rajnish, will then perform, followed by a sitar and cello duet by Pt. Shubendra Rao and Vidushi Saskia Rao-De-Haas. The day will conclude with a performance by veteran vocalist Pt. Ulhas Kashalkar.

Day Two – Thursday, December 11, 2025 | 4 pm to 10 pm

The second day will begin with a performance by classical vocalist and composer Hrishikesh Badve, followed by a sarod recital by Indrayudh Majumdar of the Senia Maihar Gharana. Vidushi Padma Deshpande will then perform, followed by a collaboration between saxophonist George Brooks and Pt. Krishnamohan Bhatt.

Day Three – Friday, December 12, 2025 | 4 pm to 10 pm

The third day will commence with a performance by emerging santoor player Satyendra Solanki, followed by a vocal recital by Shrinivas Joshi. Ustad Shujaat Hussain Khan will then perform on the sitar, and the day will conclude with a performance by Vidushi Dr. Ashwini Bhide Deshpande.

Day Four – Saturday, December 13, 2025 | 3 pm to 12 midnight

The fourth day will begin with a performance by young singer Siddhartha Belmannu, followed by a vocal recital by Pune-based Anuradha Kuber. Pt. Rupak Kulkarni will then perform on the flute, followed by a performance by Dr. Bharat Balvalli. The day will also feature a collaboration between Vidushi Kala Ramnath and Vidushi Dr. Jayanthi Kumaresh, and will conclude with a dance performance by Meghranjani Medhi.

Day 5 – Sunday, December 14, 2025 | 12 noon to 10 pm

The final day will commence with a vocal recital by Pt. Upendra Bhat, followed by performances by Shruti Vishwakarma Marathe, Aniruddha Aithal, and Sawani Shende. The event will also feature a violin performance by Dr. L. Shankar, and will conclude with a tribute to the gurus by vocalists of the Kirana Gharana, including Pt. Upendra Bhat, Shrinivas Joshi, Anand Bhate, and Viraj Joshi.

The artists making their debut at the Mahotsav are:

Lokesh Anand, Dr. Chetna Pathak, Shubendra Rao, Saskia Rao-De-Haas, Hrishikesh Badve, Indrayudh Majumdar, George Brooks, Pt. Krishnamohan Bhat, Satyendra Solanki, Siddhartha Belmannu, Anuradha Kuber, Pt. Rupak Kulkarni, Dr. Bharat Balvalli, Meghranjani Medhi, Shruti Marathe, Aniruddha Aithal, and Dr. L Shankar.

The Kalyani Group is the presenter of the Mahotsav, with support from the Kirloskar Group, Magarpatta City Group, P. N. Gadgil & Sons, Kele Group, Ranjekar Realty, Lokmanya Multipurpose – Co-operative Society, Suhana, and Asha Publicity. Tickets for the event will be available from December 1 at various locations, including Shirish Traders, Behre Ambewale, Abhiruchi Foods, and Desai Bandhu Ambewale. Online tickets will also be available at ticketkhidakee.com.