As monsoon’s first clouds gather on the Pune horizon, SwaraMalhar—aptly billed as “A Musical Prayer to the God”—returns in its 10th edition, presented by Violin Academy under the SwaraZankar banner. Set for 13th August at 5 PM at MES Auditorium, Kothrud, Pune, the festival promises to be a sublime confluence of dance, vocal jugalbandi, and devotional violin artistry (as per the event image).
About the Festival
Organized as part of the broader Swara Zankar Music Festival, SwaraMalhar is a cherished celebration of the Malhar raag, an ancient homage to monsoon’s magic. Historically known to evoke rain and spiritual depth, Malhar’s evocative strains have been woven into this festival’s soulful tapestry, described as a musical offering to the rain gods swarazankar.com.
In its 9th edition (June–July 2024), SwaraMalhar unfolded over three distinct venues and days across Pune—MES Auditorium (Mayur Colony), Ganesh Kala Krida Manch (Swargate), and Tilak Smarak Mandir—featuring both legendary veterans and emerging talents. The lineup included stalwarts like Pt. Atulkumar Upadhye, with key performances spanning vocal, instrumental, and dance expressions of monsoon-inspired ragas PUNE PULSE – Trusted-Connected-Targeted.
Meet the Artists: A Lineup of Grace & Devotion
Moushami Jaju – Kathak Artist
Moushami Jaju brings storytelling precision and expressive depth to SwaraMalhar. A disciple in the artistic lineage of Pune (of Pta Maneesha Sathe and Taalyogi Pt Suresh Talwalkar), Moushami has graced events like Dharohar – A Legacy of Kathak The Times of India. She also participated in the Kathak-based dance-drama “I Story; Mi Gosht; Mai Kahani,” showcasing her narrative power through rhythm and gesture Raah.
Ankita Joshi – Vocal Jugalbandi Specialist
Ankita Joshi, a vocalist celebrated for her pure, emotive style, is a distinguished disciple of the legendary Pt. Jasraj FacebookYouTube. Her mellifluous voice has been spotlighted in musical tributes and performances, such as her featured alaap that “refreshes your senses” as shared in Raaggiri Official clips Facebook. At SwaraMalhar, she joins in a Jasrangi Jugalbandi—a devotional duet blending male and female voices in a transcendent harmony.
Omkar Bongane – Jugalbandi Co‑Artist
While less widely documented in news portals, the event image lists Krishna Bongane (presumably linked to Omkar Bongane)—likely as the male counterpart in the vocal jugalbandi with Ankita Joshi. His collaboration promises a spirited and soulful vocal dialogue.
Pt. Atulkumar Upadhye – Maestro Violinist & Festival Visionary
At the heart of the festival stands Pandit Atulkumar Upadhye, revered violinist and founder of the Violin Academy—and thus the visionary behind SwaraMalhar’s musical framework. His orchestral command, especially in the Malhar tradition, is both profound and historically resonant PUNE PULSE – Trusted-Connected-TargetedPunekar News.
Tejas & Rajas Upadhye – Violin Tradition Carriers
Accompanying their guru, Tejas and Rajas Upadhye, his sons, extend the violin legacy with their own spellbinding artistry. The brothers featured prominently in SwaraMalhar editions; their synergy—alongside Pt. Atulkumar—has been celebrated as the festival’s spiritual and melodic anchor PUNE PULSE – Trusted-Connected-TargetedPunekar News. In fact, posts like “Rajas Upadhye’s charisma pours down to the strings of his violin” illustrate the magnetic draw of their performance Instagram.
A Night of Monsoon Reverie
The 10th edition of SwaraMalhar shapes up as a deeply atmospheric evening where dance, voice, and violin converge to evoke monsoon’s sacred pulse. From Moushami Jaju’s expressive Kathak to the celestial jugalbandi of Ankita Joshi and Krishna Bongane—and culminating in the Upadhye trio’s violin invocation—the festival offers a journey into rain’s spiritual resonance.
SwaraMalhar isn’t just a concert; it’s a musical sacrament—a collective invocation of raag, rhythm, and devotion that transforms mesmeric notes into prayers for the skies.
Sources
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SwaraMalhar as a musical prayer honoring Malhar raag swarazankar.com
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9th Edition festival details and artist lineup (2024) PUNE PULSE – Trusted-Connected-Targeted
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Festival foundation by Pt. Atulkumar Upadhye, and presence of Tejas & Rajas Upadhye Punekar NewsPUNE PULSE – Trusted-Connected-Targeted
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Rajas Upadhye’s captivating violin presence Instagram
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Moushami Jaju’s Kathak credentials from events like Dharohar and I Story… The Times of IndiaRaah
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Ankita Joshi’s background as Pt. Jasraj’s disciple and vocal albums/jugalbandi features Facebook+1
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