Nagpur News : The third evening of the Khasdar Sanskrutik Mahotsav 2025 turned into a mesmerizing celebration of rhythm and melody, as maestros of Indian and Western instruments came together for a breathtaking musical fusion at the Ishwar Deshmukh College Ground in Hanuman Nagar in Nagpur.
The night began with the captivating composition “Dancing with the Beat” in Raag Hansadhwani, composed and led by the legendary flutist Padma Shri Ronu Majumdar. His flute resonated with both classical purity and modern flair, creating an electrifying aura that set the tone for the evening.
Sharing the stage with him were a host of acclaimed artists, drummers Gautam Sharma and Nilesh More, jazz pianist Atul Raninga, bass guitarist Manish Kulkarni, and sitarist-vocalist Sweekar Katti. The ensemble reached its zenith when percussion stalwarts Bikram Ghosh and Taufiq Qureshi joined in, their rhythmic synergy adding a thrilling dimension to the concert.
The performance titled “Back to the Roots”, inspired by Bharat Ratna Pandit Ravi Shankar’s Raag Kalavati, transported the audience to the sublime heights of musical ecstasy. The mood then shifted to soulful serenity with an emotional presentation of Raag Bageshree set in Jhaptaal.
The crescendo came with Bikram and Taufiq’s dynamic acapella jugalbandi “Ramta”, which had the crowd erupting in applause. The flawless coordination, innovation, and energy of the performance transformed the evening into an unforgettable journey through India’s rich musical heritage, reimagined with a contemporary pulse.
Speaking on the occasion, Padma Shri Ronu Majumdar expressed gratitude to Union Minister Nitin Gadkari, the festival’s visionary, for providing a platform that promotes music in Vidarbha. The evening commenced with a traditional lamp-lighting ceremony attended by Union Minister of Road Transport and Highways Nitin Gadkari, Kanchan Gadkari, State Chief Information Commissioner Rahul Pande, noted surgeon Dr Muzaffar Lakdawala, Dr Harshavardhan Mardikar, Dr Manjusha Mardikar, industrialist Atul Goyal, and others. The event was anchored by Richa Sugandh, Bal Kulkarni, and Renuka Deshkar.
‘Jai Shri Ram’, ‘Jai Hanuman’ chants fill the air with devotion
The ‘Jagar Bhakticha’ session under the Khasdar Sanskrutik Mahotsav resonated with divine energy as devotees participated in the recitation of Ramraksha Stotra thirteen times and Maruti Stotra, amid chants of ‘Jai Shri Ram’ and ‘Jai Hanuman’.
Hundreds of men, women, and children gathered at the Ishwar Deshmukh Ground to join in this devotional celebration. The ceremony was inaugurated by Kanchan Gadkari, Bhagwatacharya Swami Surithanandji Maharaj, Swami Suryanand Maharaj, and other dignitaries. The event also featured a Namasmaran Dindi procession, where young girls carrying Tulsi saplings sang hymns, creating an atmosphere of profound spirituality. The morning began with a meditation session organised by Sahaj Yoga Foundation, followed by the lighting of lamps and collective prayers.
