“Bolava Vitthal”

On the occasion of ‘Ashadi Ekadashi’, Pancham Nishad presents ‘Bolava Vitthal’— a unique concert of abhangs and devotional songs dedicated to Lord Panduranga.

Devotees of Lord Panduranga, especially in Maharashtra, treat Ashadi Ekadashi as the most auspicious day, and millions amongst them walk in groups singing ‘Abhangs’, in praise of the Lord. They walk right from their respective homes to Pandharpur in Maharashtra which is considered the abode of Lord Panduranga. Many great saints including Sant Dyaneshwar, Sant Tukaram, Sant Gora Kumbhar, and Sant Janabai have penned various abhangs devoted to Lord Panduranga.

Bolava Vitthal was initiated with the objective of giving an opportunity to music lovers and devotees to listen to maestros singing songs dedicated to this deity. The concert, which also will be an eight-city concert tour, begins in Bangalore on July 12 at Chowdiah Memorial Hall at 6.30 p.m.

Eminent artistes like Suresh Wadkar, Devaki Pandit, Rahul Deshpande, Jayateerth Mevundi, Sawani Shende, Shaunak Abhisheki, Ranjani - Gayatri would be featured at the concert tour.

The fest is the brainchild of Shashi Vyas, son of the Late Pandit C.R. Vyas.

He says: “The concert is an effort to bring the youth of India closer to our traditional values and philosophy of life visualised by the many saint poets like Namdeo, Tukaram, Dyneshwar and Bahinabai.”