Inspite of finals cricket-match,‘houseful’ audience applauds Pt Hridaynath Mangeshkar being honoured with prestigious Award at Ajivasan Vasantotsav 2025 in presence of  Usha Mangeshkar, Nana Patekar, Ashish Shelar,Anup Jalota, Sonu Nigam, Kaushiki C. by Chaitanya Padukone

Ajivasan Vasantotsav 2025 at Ajivasan Hall saw the glittering presence of some of the most revered and Padma Shri Awardees personalities from the world of music and arts. The celebs included including Suresh Wadkar, Nana Patekar, Usha Mangeshkar, Anup Jalota, Sonu Nigam, Kaushiki Chakraborty (who later performed a mesmerizing live classical-concert),  Sharmistha Chatterjee,  and of course outdoor-media-hoardings King Yogesh ( ‘Bright’) Lakhani and dynamic BJP Leader and State Cabinet Minister Ashish Shelar-Jee and many more personalities.

Much-awaited  event Ajivasan Vasantotsav 2025 unfolded as a spectacular evening celebrating music, heritage, and legendary artistry. Hosted by the prestigious Acharya Jialal Vasant Sangeet Niketan, this annual festival honoured the legacy of its visionary founder, Acharya Jialal Vasant -Jee while recognizing some of the greatest musical minds of our time.

 Despite the Champions Trophy Final-- India versus New Zealand-- cricket-match live-telecast, 'clashing' with the music event, it was a ‘Houseful’ music-savvy audience. Which only goes to prove,  how much emotional loyalty and revered appreciation, people have for the distinguished presence of  ‘matchless’  legendary music ‘champions’, the honouring of Pandit Hridaynath-jee and the live classical performance by Kaushiki-jee  and of course the Ajivasan Vasantosav! 

It was so heartening to observe veteran yet evergreen film and theatre actor-director Nana Patekar  emotionally connecting with his (close friend) classical vocal maestro Suresh Wadkar and with Awardee Pandit Hridaynath-jee . Besides his brilliance in versatile screen-performances, (like in the recent movie ‘Vanvaas’),   in real-life, ardent music-lover Nana Patekar has amazing knowledge of classical music and ragas.

 The highlight of the evening was the conferral of the Uttam Vag-Geyakar Jialal Vasant Award upon the iconic Padma Shri Hridaynath Mangeshkar Jee  for his extraordinary contributions to Indian music. The award, among the most respected and prestigious in classical music, carried a prize of  Rs 1,11,000 and a citation engraved on a silver brick weighing 1.25 kg. In addition to the Uttam Vag-Geyakar Award, the evening also featured the presentation of Swami Haridas Award and Master Madan Award. 

 This year’s Vasantotsav was especially emotional, as it coincided with the birth anniversary of ‘late’  table-titan Ustad Zakir Hussain Ji, who had been a beloved part of this event for years. In his honour, the festival was dedicated to his lasting musical legacy, and the inaugural Ustad Zakir Hussain Award was launched—an initiative designed to celebrate and inspire the finest musicians of the future.

 The music-savvy audience was enthralled by a soul-stirring performance of brilliant gaayaki from the renowned Hindustani Classical Maestro Vocalist charming Kaushiki Chakraborty-jee,  along with instrumental support from her ace musicians-ensemble.

 ”Ajivasan Vasantotsav has always been more than just a celebration of music—it is a tribute to the timeless legacy of Acharya Jialal Vasant Ji and the rich traditions of Indian classical music. This year was especially emotional as we honoured the legendary Padma Shri Hridaynath Mangeshkar Ji and paid tribute to Ustad Zakir Hussain Ji, whose presence has always been integral to this festival. The launch of the Ustad Zakir Hussain Award is a beautiful initiative that will continue to inspire generations of musicians. It was an honour to be part of such a soulful and meaningful evening”,_says “Padma Shri” Suresh Wadkar

Vasantotsav 2025 was a magnificent celebration of music and legacy, honoring Padma Shri  Pandit Hridaynath Mangeshkar with the prestigious Uttam Vag-geyakar Jialal Vasant Award. The award, which carries a cash prize of Rs 1,11,000 along with a silver citation weighing 1.25 kg, recognized his phenomenal contribution to Indian Classical Music and Film Music. This year’s Vasantotsav event co-hosted by Suresh Wadkar and his wife Padma Wadkar held special significance as it coincided with the birth anniversary of ‘late’ Ustad Zakir Hussain-jee who had been an integral active part of the Vasantotsav festival over the past many decades. As a heartfelt emotional tribute,  to the tabla-monarch, the institute introduced the Ustad Zakir Hussain Award, marking a new tradition in his honor. Additionally, the event continued to celebrate young and emerging talent through the Swami Haridas Award and the Master Madan Award, reinforcing Ajivasan’s commitment to mentoring budding musical talents and nurturing the future of Indian classical music. (Candid pics of event by Harsh R. Munde)

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