Getting  ‘daad-taaliyan’  from  iconic Ustad Zakir Hussain-- classical maestros Pt. Mahesh Kale and  Awardee Pt.  Suresh Talwalkar  showcase their divine swar-taal at Acharya Jialal VASANTOTSAV-2024 by Chaitanya Padukone

Vasantotsav 2024: a harmonious tribute to Acharya Jialal Vasant Ji and to musical excellence

 Undoubtedly,  Shaagird-Shishya ho toh Aisaa—maestro classical singer and popular Bollywood senior playback singer Suresh Wadkar-- Iaisa . That’s because Suresh  has tremendous reverential regards for his ‘late’ sangeet-guru Acharya Jialal Vasant-Jee. And year after year PadmaShri Suresh Wadkar and his wife Padma Wadkar organize and convene this annual one-evening musical utsav ( festival) where on behalf of the  Vasant-Sangeet Niketan they publicly honour upcoming excellence in musical talent and also present the Utaam Vaggeykar Jialal Vasant prestigious annual award ( including cash prize) to a super-talented musical maestro.

 The classy ambience was filled with lilting, inspiring melodies as Vasantotsav 2024, a soulful tribute to the legendary Acharya Jialal Vasant Ji as the program unfolded at Ajivasan Banquet Hall at Juhu,  on Saturday evening on  February 24th 2024. This prestigious event not only celebrated the visionary pioneer-founder of one of Mumbai's most esteemed music schools but also honoured exceptional artists, educators, and young talents.

The pinnacle point of  Vasantotsav event is  the Uttam Vag-Geyakar Jialal Vasant Award, a prestigious recognition presented annually. This year, the esteemed award was conferred upon and a citation on a magnificent 1.25-kilo silver brick was presented to the exceptionally talented Pandit Taal-Yogi PadmaShri  Suresh Talwalkar.

 The evening had its magnificent glitter-blitz  with the presence of the iconic multiple Grammy Awards winner and  Padma Vibhushan modest tabla maestro Ustad Zakir Hussain,  who marked his presence as the honourable Chief Guest of the evening . It was Ustaad Zakir-bhai who felicitated Pandit Suresh Talwalkar amidst thunderous applause along with the host-organiser  Padma Shri Suresh Wadkar. Their presence added a stellar touch to the event, enhancing the divine and entertaining significance of  exceptional musical brilliance.

 Later, Suresh also separately expressed his “heartfelt gratitude” to Maharashtra State Government Authorities for the  appropriate Gansamragini Lata Mangeshkar Award 2023 presented to him on stage, recently by the State CM Eknath Shinde-jee and Deputy CM Devendra Fadnavis-jee instituted in memory of legendary Lata-Didi. “It was revered Lata-Didi  who was one of my initial singing career ‘prime-mentors’ who after knowing about my vocal talent,  had strongly recommended me to various film-music directors,” shared Wadkar..  

 The vibrant Vasantosav event actually began with soul-stirring surreal live performances by internationally acclaimed classical and devotional vocal music maestro Pandit Mahesh Kale Adding a live symphonic-rhythmic Indo-Western fusion-flavour to the evening, the music-savvy audience was treated to  enthralling  performances conducted by the maestro Pandit Suresh Talwalkar himself with his talented group including his  tabla-maestro son Satyajit  Talwalkar and his table-expert young daughter Savani Talwarkar.

 In a heartfelt graceful gesture, the Swami Haridas Award was presented to recognize unsung music teachers. The event also shined light on young prodigies through the Master Madan Award. Vasantotsav 2024 delivered an evening of soul-stirring melodies, heartfelt recognition, and a celebration of the rich musical heritage fostered by Acharya Jialal Vasant Ji. 

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