Pandit Sanjeev Abhyankar concerts from this Saturday
Music lovers in Fiji have been experiencing the divine music of Pandit Sanjeev Abhyankar the past week and New Zealanders would have a rare opportunity over the coming two weekends.
Fiji based Sahyadri Specialty Pacific Hospital Limited (SSPHL) has organised the programme in four locations in Fiji to create medical awareness and in New Zealand for enhancing entertainment value.
The event has been sponsored by Indian Council of Cultural Relations (ICCR), Government of India, Indian High Commission in Fiji, Fiji’s Ministry of Health & Medical Service, Ministry of Women, Children & Poverty Alleviation and Ministry of Local Government.
The programme in New Zealand is managed and organised by Aprameya Limited and Migrant Heritage Charitable Trust INC (Regd), Auckland.
Pandit Sanjeev is being accompanied by Omkar Dalvi (Dholak), Apurva Dravid (Drums), Milind Kulkarni (Harmonium), Rohit Mozumdar (Tabla) and Hemant Uttekar (Sound).
Free Medical Service
SSPHL Fiji conducted free screening of people with the help of specialised doctors from Deoyani Multispecialty Hospitals, Kothrud, Pune, India.
Dr Shrirang Limaye, a leading orthopaedic surgeon and Chief Executive of Deoyani Multispecialty Hospital and I were instrumental in conducting free screening in Cardiology, Advance Orthopaedic and Oncology in government hospitals at six different locations in Fiji.
The Indian Classical Musical programme is being performed at Labasa, Suva, Ba and Lautoka.
I coordinated with ICCR India, Indian High Commission Suva Fiji to make the programme successful. I also coordinated with Indian High Commission in Wellington for bringing the event to New Zealand to promote Indian Classical Music.
The artistes will be performing in Auckland, Hamilton and Wellington.
Free Music Concert
The Editor of this newspaper was in Fiji with New Zealand Prime Minister John Key on June 9 and 10, 2016, during which he discussed with me about the programme of Pandit Sanjeev for New Zealand. Print and Electronic media has assisted for making this event successfully.
The event is open to the public and entry is free.
Child prodigy
Pandit Sanjeev, a Commerce graduate, is a maestro from Mewati Gharana. An artiste of international acclaim in Hindustani Classical and Devotional Music, he is a source of inspiration for the younger generation.
In a career spanning more than 25 years, he has assumed the mantle of a role model of dedication, hard work, patience and perseverance.
Born in 1969, he started learning Hindustani Classical Music from the tender age of eight. He has been groomed by his mother Dr Shobha Abhyankar, Pandit Pimpalkhare and Padmavibhushan Pandit Jasraj.
He made his public debut in Mumbai when he was 11 years old.
Glorious globetrotter
Since then, he has travelled extensively all over India, performing at all prestigious conferences and art circles, several times. He has the distinction of performing in more 200 cities all over the world.
He has spread the fragrance of Indian Classical music in Africa, Australia, Canada, Europe, the Middle East and the United States of America.
Pandit Sanjeev’s award winning performance in ‘Godmother’ and his impassioned rendition of Marathi Abhangs, Bhavgeets and Bhajans in Sanskrit and Hindi reflect his versatility.
By adding his own classical compositions, he has contributed to the already existing vast repertoire of Mewati Gharana compositions (Bandishes).
Pandit Sanjeev has performed in well-known conferences such as Sawai Gandharva Sangeet Samaroh, Swar Jhankar Festival, Swar Bhaskar Mahotsav, Vasantotsav, Surel Sabha, Pune Festival, Baba Harvallabh Samaroh (Jalandhar), Pracheen Kala Kendra, Chandigarh, ITC Sammelan, Doverlane Music Conference, Uttarpara Sangeet Chakra, Indo Oxidental Festival in Kolkata and others.
Durdamya Munibhargav is a senior executive at Sahyadri Specialty Pacific Hospital Limited, Fiji.