Malhar Aavishkar: Malhar is the Monsoon Raag of septatonic scale i.e. it has all the seven swaras (notes) in the octave. Gandhar and Nishaad are komal (soft). Its special feature is rendering of komal and Shudhh forms of Nishaad are used one after another. Its beauty creates the monsoon moods. Malhar Aavishkar is the concert of Hindustani Classical Music. Malhar Aavishkar is expression of Malhar Raag in medium of vocal & Instrument music and dance. In past , our Artists presented following variants of Malhar Raag: Joad-Raags like Nat Malhar, Des Malhar, Jayant Malhar as also Megh, Mia Malhar, Sur Malhar, Gaud Malhar, Ramdasi Malhar, and anavat Raags like Mira Malhar, Kukubi Malhar, Chanchalsas Malhar,  Gaundgiri Malhar, Charjuki Malhar and many more. Diversity of form, medium & presentation are highlights of Malhar Aavishkar. Highly talented Artists of different Gharanas, Schools, States,  and Communities & Religion are in total unity to present Malhar Aavishkar over the years.

Participants in Malhar Aavishkar  concerts in earlier years : Violin maestro, Vidushi Dr N Rajam, Sitar Maestro Pt Arvind Parikh, Pt Dinanath Mishra, Bholanath Mishra, Kalinath Mishra, Dhrupad Legacy Bahauudin Dagar and Pt Uday Bhavalkar, Kathak Maestro Pt Rajendra Gangani, Afsar Mulla Khan and his Guru Bhagini debutant, budding artists Sheetal Kharka, Purist Bharatnatyam Dancer Parimal Phadke and his 15 disciples, Ustd Saiuddin Dagar, Ustd Faiyaz Khan, Shakir Khan, Pt Arvind Gajendragadkar, Pt Keshav Ginde, Shaunak Abhisheki, Manjiri Alegaokar, Vikas Kashalkar, Pt Vijay Koparkar. Promising disciples of Great Performers like Annapurna Devi ( Sudhir Phadke), Rashid Khan ( Prasad Khaparde), Pt Basavraj( Purnima Kulkarni), Muhammad Hussein Khan of Delhi Gharana (Vidya Dengle) besides disciples of Kathak Guru Shama Bhate are a few names to grace in earlier concerts. Padmashri Annasaheb Behere, Padmavibhushan, Hon Sh Mohan Dhariya, Late Pandita Rohini Bhate, Vidushi Veena Sahasrabudhye, Pt Sanjeev Abhyankar, Pt Arvind Parikh, Sh Prabhakar Karandikar, IAS  were  the chief guests.

Music Scholars have valuable contribution in Indian Classical Music . They are important, other-side of music-coin. Artists are glamour-side of the coin. They duly rewarded by the society and the media. Artists certainly deserve the accolades. But, music-scholars are often over- looked.  As mark of respect, gratitude and recognition, we have felicitated outstanding Music Scholars in Malhar Aavishkar concert over the years. To name a few : M V Bhatwadekar, G H Tarlekar, Ashok Ranade, Sudhir Mainkar, Srirang Sangoram, V R Athwale, Sharadini Gole & N D Kashalkar. Citation (Maanpatra) is  presented and their scholarly work is detailed to the audience and the media.

Concert-organizers play vital role to connect Artists & music-lovers. To appreciate their herculean efforts over the years, Malhar Aavishkar has  awarded  following :
Sawai Gandharv Sangeet Mahotsav (Rambhau Joshi), Gandharv Mahavidyalaya (Pramod Marathe), Ganvadhan (Dharmadhikari), Surel Sabha ( Karnik) to name a few.

Audience Profile: In the past  events, audience response has been overwhelming. The Halls  were jam packed. The unique concept, its highly artistic Presentation, close involvement of  all the artists , pleasant ambience and tasty food attracted  more and more audience every year. On an average more than 1000 avid listeners thronged the venue. Complimentary space, advertorials like Previews, Reviews, Interviews and eye catching graphics will add to the hype, pulling large audience.

Demographic Profile:
Age Group : 20-30 : 25%,  31-45: 25%, 45-65: 25%, above 65: 25%
Profession Groups: Businessmen & HNW I:  20%,   Corporate Employees:  25%,
Housewife: 40%   Students: 25%
Educational Level :  Post Graduate: 30%, Graduates: 60%, Undergraduates: 10%

Each artist-group will perform for abt sixty minutes one  after other. Total seven items of Jugalbandi  of Vocal, Instrument and Dance will be staged in pre-structured sequence- to build-up  the tempo to reach climax with jugalbandi of Bharatnatyam & Odissi dance. Sh Pushkar Lele is young vocalist and music-scholar. As main artists take stage, Pushkar will  lucidly explain fine nuances of respective Malhar Raag, its ascending and descending notes, minute variations, Chalan (rendering),Thaat (stylized group) as also interesting anecdotes . He will also sing/hum a few lines of familiar bandish, natyageet or film song. Sh Pranav Paralikar  , young flautist, will play few “aavrtanas” of the Raag. Immediately thereafter, main artists will present respective Malhar. This demo of  3-4 minutes connects the Raag closely with Rasik. He understand the Raag better and add to his pleasure. It creates  ambience of Malhar!  The close linkages, melodious renderings, continuity  of musical flow, building up of tempo in rich cultural ambience are to be reveled-in rather  than talking about it. Malhar Aavishkar is an experience audience cherishes for long and looks forward to rejuvenate every year.

Innovative Theme, this Year:
Srushtike Saath… Sangeet Sair…Yuva Malhar…Jugal Malhar…..
Young talented artists, who have  received about ten years authentic , traditional training ( Talim) from Respected Guru of established Gharana and who have been performing on stage for about three years, have been selected and teamed-up  for  Malhar-Jugalbandi.  We have very carefully selected and coupled young Artists for Jugalbandis : vocal-vocal, male-female, instrument-instrument,  vocal-instrument, female-female not only for Music but also Kathak & Bharat Natyam.  Malhar Raag depicts  serious emotions. Jugalbandi sometimes is  knotty/chatty. We are confident these young artists will combine these contrasting emotive feelings to enhance entertainment-value , retaining the purity  . Each duet will render Jugalbandi in Malhar. Diversity of  forms & styles of  Music (Vocal & Instrumental)  and Dance (Kathak, Odissi & Bharat Natyam )will be the highlights of Malhar Aavishkar Concert-2009.

A Golden Opportunity: to Contribute to Rich, Traditional, Heritage Art of Hindustani Classical Music & Dance. In the bygone  centuries erstwhile Indian Kings, Rajas & Maharajas, Shahenshahs & Nawabs contributed to the growth of Indian Arts with Royal patronage. Now, Monitory Contributions of TV Channels, Corporates, Entrepreneurs, High Net worth Individuals will not only preserve this heritage art in India  but also foster its Global growth.

ICCR & Symbiosis are our associates in Malhar Aavishkar-2009. Indian Council for Cultural Relations is department of External Affairs Ministry, Govt  of India. Symbiosis is leading educational institution in India. Their institutional support will go long way for success of the concert.

Visit Web Site:  www.malharaavishkar.com is  informative  presentation for music-lovers. Its, perhaps, the 1st web site for a single concert ! It also features :
Global  Concerts of Classical Concerts. It details concert-information all around the world.
We have about 25,000 visitors !!

Ideal for Musical TV Serial/News Channel: Malhar Aavishkar  is captivating, enchanting rich, classy event of India Music. Ideally suited for a  TV serial of  abt 25 episodes with interviews of organizers, young artists, critics, media , scholars and the  audience.

Mitali is an accomplished Indian Classical dancer in the Odissi style. She is one of the senior most disciples of Smt. Jhelum Paranjpe , and has also been trained by the doyen of Odissi dance Padma Vibhushan Guru Kelucharan Mohapatra. The immense knowledge and beauty of this art form, has prompted her to continue and share this beautiful temple dance with the younger generation. Over the years, she has trained numerous students in performing and appreciating this classical dance form. Her experience covering extensive tours to Europe, US, Australia, Italy, have made her a seasoned and versatile performer.

Raul: It’s rather unusual to find a young man from a Christian background drawn to a dance
form originally practiced by women in temples, namely Bharat Natyam.
But unusual is not amongst the least of words to describe Raul’s dance. For that we must use words like verve and vivacity. Raul has matured from a novice at the age of 12 to be ranked among the most outstanding male performers in the country today. His experience covers extensive tours to Europe, U.S, Australia, New Zealand and the Far East.

Shrikala Bedekar has had her training in Kathak under the guidance of Guru Smt. Shama Bhate at her school of Kathak dance “NAD-ROOP”, Pune. After her Bachelor’s degree in Commerce, she completed her Master’s degree in Dance (Kathak) at “Lalit Kala Kendra”, Pune University. She has been fortunate to have had the opportunity of being a part of the NAD-ROOP troupe and hence, has performed under her Guru’s guidance on various prestigious platforms and in front of renowned artists. Having been encouraged by her Guru Smt. Shama Bhate, she has attended workshops conducted by visionaries like Pt. Birju Maharaj, Pt. Suresh Talwalkar, Late Pt. Kelucharan Mohapatra, Pt. Rajendra Gangani and Smt. Kumidini Lakhia, thus enriching her experience in Kathak.

Mukta Mulye has had the privilege of having her training in Kathak under the tutelage of renowned Kathak exponent Guru Smt. Shama Bhate at her Institute Nad Roop, Pune. In these 14 years of learning with Shamatai she has been fortunate to have had opportunity to attend workshops conducted by renowned artists like Pt. Birju Maharaj, Pt. Kelucharan Mohapatra, Pt. Suresh Talwalkar, Dr. Kanak Rele etc. hence enriching her understanding of the style.
As a part of Shamatai’s troop she has participated in various concerts on numerous prestigious platforms in Pune and all over India. She has won several competitions held all over the country in places like Mumbai, Pune, Madhya Pradesh etc. In all over these performances she has enthralled the audience with her techniques and graceful gestures. She has completed Masters Degree in Kathak dance at Lalit Kala Kendra, Pune University.

Prashekh Borkar, the young talented musician from Pune, along with his younger brother Abhishek features amongst the finest Sarodists of the younger generation in India. Prashekh showed profound enthusiasm for this noble art from a very early age. After having toyed with a mini-Sarod since the age of four, he started taking serious lessons from the age of seven from his father and guru Pt. Shekhar Borkar. Prashekh has secured first place in several music competitions. He has also performed at the prestigious Pune festival, M.T.D.C. festival, Haridas Sangeet sammelan and several more. He was awarded the Dattopant Deshpande trophy at the prestigious Sawai Gandharv festival, Pune in the year 2000.Prashekh is the recipient of the C.C.R.T. scholarship and performs occasionally from A.I.R., Pune. Prashekh has traveled extensively all over the country and overseas and has earned acclaims for his performances. He has also scored music for several music ballets and serials. He has completed his Alankaar (master of music) and has also been honored with the title of ‘Surmani’.

Abhishek Borkar is probably the youngest Sarod player at the age of 16yrs to perform on the music circuit. He started learning the Sarod at a very tender age of seven from his father and guru Pt. Shekhar Borkar. He gave his first performance at the age of ten years where he was lauded by connoisseurs of music. Abhishek’s incredible control of Laya and Sur is indeed notable. Abhishek has won several music competitions in and around Maharashtra. Abhishek is the recipient of the CCRT Scholarship award from New Delhi. He had his first solo CD released at a young age of 15yrs.

Sagar Morankar, did his schooling at ‘Pune Home for the Blind in Pune till 2003. He stood first in college with a distinction in the year 2005. After looking at his stellar performance his college decided to support him for his further education. After taking primary lessons from music teachers in the school, he had started taking lessons from Pt Uday Bhavalkar at the age of 12. Sagar has been awarded a national scholarship for Dhrupad from the HRD ministry, Govt of India for two years as well as the scholarship of Arya Sangeet Prasarak Mandal and of Svaranand Pratisthan, Pune.

Chintan Upadhya, Born in Bhavnagar, Gujarat, Chintan belongs to a musical family. He had done his B.Com from Bhavnagar University and then switched over to Pune for further studies.He has been learning under the humble guidance of Guru Pt. Uday Bhavalkar since last four years at his residence in Pune under Guru Shishya Parampara. With the blessings of his Guru he performed his first solo performance of Dhrupad recital in “Rangswar” at Yashvantrav Chavhan Hall, Nariman Point, Mumbai. Then after he performed a house concert in Mumbai. After that he performed his solo concerts at Bhavnagar, Rajkot, and Madhavpur.He was also awarded scholarship by the Ministry of Culture, Government of India for Indian Classical Music for the period 2005 to 2007.He did his Masters of Music from Pune University under the guidance of Dr. Vikas Kashalkar and Shri Vijay Koparkar.

Sameep is International Artist having played regularly in India,USA & UK.
Sameep Stared laerning Sitar when he was 6, from Ustad Usman Khan. He took authentic training for 13 years. For last six years he is under tutlage of Ustd Shahid Parvez, who is international fame Sitarist and Guru.
He has performed in more than 500 concert which include regular classical concerts, public, private, bollywood, corporate events, solo & fusion and  charity events. Sameep’s biggest concert was in Nagar where more than 50,000 music lovers were enthralled by his Sitar in solo concert.
Sameep is Instrument- Engineer from VIT, Pune. He is employed as Sr Quality Assurance Engineer in a software company.

Ruchira began her training at 12, from her father Dilip Kale. Later, she learnt the intricacies of Hindustani Classical & Semi Classical vocal music from the renowned vocalist of Jaipur Gharana, Smt. Alka Deo Marulkar. Thereafter, Ruchira became associated with the prestigious ITC Sangeet Research Academy, Kolkata in 2003 and received invaluable ”Taleem” from the celebrated Gwalior-Jaipur Gharana vocalist Pt. Ulhas Kashalkar. She also received significant guidance in Thumri, Dadra, Hori, Kajri etc from the doyen of Banaras Gharana, Smt. Girija Devi. Mahotsav, DMCC, Mumbai; Yeshwantrao Chavan Center, Mumbai; Pt. Ratanjankar Smriti Samorah.

Performances: ITC SRA Sangeet Sammelan, Lucknow, Delhi; the ITC SRA Scholars’ Presentation, Kolkata; Yuva Samorah, Gwalior; Gururao Deshpande Sangeet Sabha, Bangalore; “Aarambh”, Bharat Bhavan, Bhopal;“Uttaradhikar”, M.P.Govt Khandwa; Vedic     Heritage Ashram, Long Island, New York, to name a significant few. Ruchira has also visited the USA and Canada for a successful concert and Lecture-Demonstration tour in 2002.

Training Obtained: Disciple of Pt Ajoy Chakrabarty who is doyen in Vocal Music and has established a unique school – Shrutinandan - in Kolkata for imparting the training in this field.
Learnt under the able guidance of Guru Pt Gangadharbuwa Pimpalkhare, Pune who was famous for nurturing disciples with a very strong foundation in vocal classical music.

Major Performances : Performance in the presence of Shri. Anup  Jalota, in the program organized by Akhil Bharatiya Grahak Panchayat at Tilak Smarak Mandir, Pune. Classical and light classical music performance in the presence of Shri. Shivraj Patti, New Delhi. Toured to Australia for performances at Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane and Adelaide. It was a 5 weeks tour with 9 performances. Performed at Pune Ganesh Festival. Performed at Navaratri Mahotsav, Pune.

Performance during celebrations at  Alandi Temple. Performed at Sanskar Bharati Sangeet Sabha at Pune and Jalgaon. Performed at Kesri Wada Ganesh Festival, Pune. Performances for 3 consecutive years at Saras Baag Ganesh Temple during Ganesh Festival. Performed for 'Gana-Maitra', an organization for promotion of Indian Classical Music.