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Performings Arts - Activities 

Activities

Activities conducted in the Department

  1. A lec-dem cum interaction with Tamás Rozs on 31st Oct 2023. Tamas, a Hungarian folk musician, talked about his instrument, the Cello, and the different musical impressions from German, Serbian, Slovakian, Balkan, Romanian, Austrian and Ukrainian cultural traditions finding expression in Hungarian folk music. He sang some traditional and some new self-composed melodies (by fusing Mongolian throat singing which he learnt and practiced for four years from renowned Mongolian musicians) and Hungarian folk melodies.

  2. An interactive workshop on ‘Thumri-Dadra-Gazal’ by eminent semi-classical vocalist Astha Shukla ji (daughter of Dr. Veena Pani Shukla and disciple of Pt. Kashinath Bodas and Dr. Veena Sahasrabudhe). Apart from eloquently describing the ecology and musico-aesthetic framework of these forms and nuances of the पूरब अंग stylistics, she also taught a Dadra and one of Begum Akhtar’s classic gazals to our students.

  3. A lecture on ‘Music Therapy – Medicine and Misconceptions’ by Dr. Shubham Kulkarni on Wednesday 20th December 2023. With an aim of creating awareness about the right approach to music therapy, the Department of Performing Arts launched an online ‘Basic Certificate Course in Music Therapy’ on this day.

  4. The Department organised a music concert featuring artists Shri. Siddhivinayak Paithankar (Tabla Solo) and Shri. Saurabh Kadgaonkar (Hindustani Classical Vocal) on 8th June 2024 at 4.30 pm at the Bharat Ratna Lata Mangeshkar Sabhagriha. The function was organised to distribute certificates to the eligible participants of the ‘Certificate Course in Music Appreciation’ (Batch 1 and 2), ‘Basic Certificate Course in Music Therapy’ and ‘Tabla Beginners Level 1’ courses conducted in the academic year 2023-24. Eminent violinist and Guru Ms. Swapna Datar graced the occasion as the Chief Guest.

  5. The Department in collaboration with the disciples of the renowned tabla maestro Pt. Ramdas Palsule ji organised the “Guru Abhivadan Sohala” from the 19th to 21st July 2024, featuring tabla, jembe, drums, pakhawaj performances. The programme was organised on the occasion of ‘Guru Poornima’ and was held in four sessions. The students of the department were present along with a large number of tabla students, music lovers and connoisseurs from Maharashtra and eminent musicians like Padma Shri Taalyogi Pt. Suresh Talwalkar, eminent sarod maestro Pt. Rajan Kulkarni, Shri. Mukund Athavale, eminent Shehenai player Shri. Kalyan Apaar, Shri. Satyajeet Talwalkar and many others.

  6. We organised a two-day lec-dem series, conceived and curated by Dept. Head Dr. Pushkar Lele on Instrumental Music on the 16th and 17th Aug 2024. The lec-dem on the first day was conducted by Shri. Anupam Joshi who talked about ‘String Instruments of the Sarod lineage’. The following day saw Pt. Milind Tulankar speak on ‘The Magic of rare musical instruments’.

  7. Shri. Debapriya Adhikary (Kolkata) conducted an enlightening workshop on ‘The Art of Voice – Exploring techniques for singer and speakers’ on 24th September 2024. The interactive workshop aimed to explore the art of voice mastery for singers and speakers, develop a deeper understanding of the vocal instrument and know the subtleties of voice training as also to learn techniques to build a powerful, healthy voice to enhance singing or speaking skills and overcome vocal challenges.

  8. We in collaboration with ‘Ninadini’ Pune presented ‘Devgandhar – Swarvandan’ a tribute to the Gurus by promising young artists and disciples of Vidushi Dr. Alka Deo-Marulkar, a stalwart musician of the Jaipur gharana on 10th November. The programme was held at Bharat Ratna Lata Mangeshkar Sabhagriha, Modern College Shivajinagar in two sessions. The morning session saw performances by Hindustani classical vocalists Shilpa Dubale-Parab (Goa), Kalyani Dasakkar-Tattvavadi (Nashik), Nitin Dhavalikar (Goa) and Madhuwanti Bhide (USA). The evening session featured Abhed Abhisheki (son-disciple of Pt. Shounak Abhisheki) and Shivani Marulkar-Dasakkar (daughter-disciple of Vidushi Dr. Alka Deo Marulkar).

  9. ‘Career Katta’ in collaboration with Modern College of Arts, Science and Commerce (Autonomous), Shivajinagar, Pune – 5 supported by its Department of Performing Arts and the Department of Marathi conducted a half-day workshop on ‘Voice Care and Vocal Hygiene’ by eminent audiologist, speech language pathologist and voice therapist Ms. Sonali Lohar on 17th Dec 2024. This workshop shed light on the proper way of using the vocal apparatus and provided simple tools/methods to make it more efficient and effective.

  10. The department in collaboration with Rithwik Foundation for Performing Arts organised an interview-cum-concert of world-renowned Grammy nominated sarod exponent Ken Zukerman on 17th Dec 2024 at Bharat Ratna Lata Mangeshkar Sabhagriha of Modern College. The evening programme saw Zukerman being interviewed by upcoming Pune-based sarod player Anupam Joshi interspersed by his sarod renditions. Zukerman shared his musical journey that began with attending a concert of his to-be-Guru Ustad Ali Akbar Khan Saheb that transformed his outlook towards music.

  11. We in collaboration with Baithak Foundation organised a two-days’ workshop on 24th – 25th Jan 2025, as part of the 3rd Pune Kabir Festival 2025 on ‘Singing Kabir’ by Dr. Pushkar Lele and Shri. Mandar Karanjkar. The event was free and open to all explorers of music and spirituality. The workshop saw active participation by the students of our department as well as music lovers, seekers and Kabir lovers from the city.

  12. We organised the 27th edition of state-level ‘Swarmadhuri’ Hindustani Classical Vocal Music Competitions 2025 jointly with Modern College, Ganeshkhind. The competitions have been held by Modern College, Ganeshkhind since the academic year 1993-94 in memory of PES’s founder, respected Late Shri. Shankarrao Kanitkar. This year the competitions were made open to all those in the age group of 16-30 years, within the state of Maharashtra. A total of 58 entries were received from all over the state. An independent panel of judges screened 59 music videos sent by participants and selected 24 talented vocalists for the second (final) round, which was held on 1st March 2025 at Bharat Ratna Lata Mangeshkar Sabhagriha, New Building, Modern College, Shivajinagar. Pt. Jayant Kaijkar and Vidushi Jayashree Ranade judged the final round which saw 21 finalists compete through performances. The prize distribution ceremony was held immediately after the end of competitions. Mr. Shridatta Gaikwad, Director – ‘Vidyavahini’ FM Radio of Savitribai Phule Pune University was present on the occasion. Pt. Rajendra Kandalgaonkar, the Chief Guest, guided the finalists.

  13. We had the privilege to host Shri. Milind Vasudev Kulkarni, a renowned harmonium artist, for a full day harmonium workshop on 26th June 2025 in collaboration with MIVA Universal Studio. Known for his rich experience as a soloist, accompanist, and educator, Shri. Milind Vasudev has significantly contributed to the field of Hindustani Classical music and music education. The workshop was divided into two focused sessions and was designed to build a strong foundation in harmonium playing. Participants learned basic practice techniques and fingering methods essential for developing fluency on the keyboard. The workshop was attended enthusiastically by students, accompanists and music faculty. The sessions were appreciated for their clarity and structured approach offering students both theoretical understanding and practical tools.

  14. We had the pleasure and honour of hosting Pt. Ajay Pohankar ji on 16th July 2025. He captured our hearts with his easy demeanor, grace and mellifluous singing. Pt. Pohankar blessed the department and wished it a bright future.

  15. We organised the screening of फूल का छंद / ‘Rhythm of a Flower’ (82 min, dir. Amit Dutta), a creative animated film essay on the life, music and ideas of Pt. Kumar Gandharva (Best Film, MAMI International Film Festival 2024) on Saturday 19th July 2025 at 10.30 am in collaboration with Jaipur Gunijankhana. The screening was followed by a discussion with Kuldeep Barve (co-writer & music consultant) and Dr. Srijan Deshpande (eminent musicologist, UCLA). The screening was attended by many eminent artists like playwright Satish Alekar, Bharatanatyam exponent Guru Sucheta Bhide-Chapekar, violinist Swapna Datar, musicologist scholar Dr. Keshavchaitanya Kunte, artist Shriram Hasabnis and several other rasiks and students.

  16. We hosted a unique demonstration of Innovative Card Games developed by Mr. Hemakant Navdikar and Ashwin Chikerur on 12th August 2025. These specially designed card games proved to be both entertaining and intellectually stimulating, offering students an engaging way to learn, arrange, and think about Raag-s. Beyond being enjoyable, the activity highlighted the potential of this method as an effective teaching tool for music education.

  17. We presented ‘काव्यसुमनांची ओंजळ’, a musical programme featuring the poems of our respected Principal Dr. Rajendra Zunjarrrao, on Saturday 23rd Aug 2025 jointly with Kala Mandal at 10.30 am at Bharat Ratna Lata Mangeshkar Sabhagriha. The programme featured a Ganesh Vandana sung by students of DPA, an abhang by our student Suranjan Jaybhaye, followed by several poems beautifully composed and set to music by renowned singer and tabla player Parag Pandav as well as some poetry reading by Swati Patwardhan. The programme featured several song types like Saraswati Vandana in Raag Hansadhwani, children’s song, gazal, bhavgeet, folk-inspired melodies etc. The co-artists were Prof. Shripad Shirwalkar (Tabla), Aditi Garade (Harmonium), Ruturaj Dhupkar (Keyboard), Ashish Behere (Violin) and Prof. Renu Bhalerao (compering). It was attended by a large number of staff and students from the college.