News

TOI :
PUNE: It is a unanimous opinion and every first-time artist at the Sawai Gandharva music festival this year declares that it is indeed a grand honour to perform on this esteemed platform. The festival is being held from December 11 to 14.

Speaking to TOI, carnatic vocalist Aruna Sairam says, “The Sawai Gandharva music festival is one of the most important landmarks on the cultural map of the nation. Born and brought up in Mumbai, I have personally been very inspired by Pt Bhimsen Joshi’s singing and music. I often sing some of his songs in my shows.” Sairam, who counts her mother Rajalakshmi Sethuraman among her many gurus, is a known figure in the world of classical music and performs all over the world.

Madhuri Dandge, a disciple of Padma Shri Manik Verma and Malavika Kanan, says, “I am originally from Pune and though I have performed at the best of festivals in the country, this one ranks high up there. I’m honoured.”

Krushnendra Wadikar, a disciple of Shripati Padegar who was a disciple of Pt Joshi, says though he is looking forward to performing at the festival, he is also a bit frightened to step on to such an honoured platform. “I do not have words to express my happiness and gratitude. However, performing on a stage that has seen great musicians is a scary prospect.”

Son and disciple of the late Pt C R Vyas, vocalist Suhas Vyas is also excited at the thought of performing at the festival. “Panditiji has received the Bharat Ratna this year and the fact that he has dedicated the award to the Khayal’ tradition of music makes it even more special. My family has always had a close connection with his family and it means a lot to a small artist like me,” he says.

Vocalist Prasad Khaparde, disciple of Ustad Rashid Khan, thanks…More

TOI :
PUNE: The Pimpri-Chinchwad Municipal Corporation (PCMC) has decided to demolish the unauthorised constructions built by NCP corporator Surdas Gaikwad in Phugewadi.

Subhash Dumbre, additional commissioner, PCMC, told reporters that the structures would be demolished soon after securing police protection.

Padminiraje Mohite, who contested the civic election against Gaikwad, had filed a PIL in the Bombay high court against Gaikwad and his family members in the matter. The illegal constructions have come up on a piece of land which is reserved for a primary school in Phugewadi.

The high court had directed the PCMC commissioner to submit an affidavit on December 10, about the action taken by the PCMC in the matter. Dumbre said, “I will represent the municipal commissioner in the high court and file an affidavit as the commissioner is out of station.”

When contacted, Gaikwad said, “The court case is against my family members (brothers). It is regarding unauthorised construction on reserved land.” He refused to comment further.

Civic officials said that the Bhosari police were not in position to provide protection for the demolition work as they were busy with President Pratibha Patil’s visit to the city this week. The police have said that they can now provide protection on December 11.

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TOI :
PUNE: It is a unanimous opinion and every first-time artist at the Sawai Gandharva music festival this year declares that it is indeed a grand honour to perform on this esteemed platform. The festival is being held from December 11 to 14.

Speaking to TOI, carnatic vocalist Aruna Sairam says, “The Sawai Gandharva music festival is one of the most important landmarks on the cultural map of the nation. Born and brought up in Mumbai, I have personally been very inspired by Pt Bhimsen Joshi’s singing and music. I often sing some of his songs in my shows.” Sairam, who counts her mother Rajalakshmi Sethuraman among her many gurus, is a known figure in the world of classical music and performs all over the world.

Madhuri Dandge, a disciple of Padma Shri Manik Verma and Malavika Kanan, says, “I am originally from Pune and though I have performed at the best of festivals in the country, this one ranks high up there. I’m honoured.”

Krushnendra Wadikar, a disciple of Shripati Padegar who was a disciple of Pt Joshi, says though he is looking forward to performing at the festival, he is also a bit frightened to step on to such an honoured platform. “I do not have words to express my happiness and gratitude. However, performing on a stage that has seen great musicians is a scary prospect.”

Son and disciple of the late Pt C R Vyas, vocalist Suhas Vyas is also excited at the thought of performing at the festival. “Panditiji has received the Bharat Ratna this year and the fact that he has dedicated the award to the Khayal’ tradition of music makes it even more special. My family has always had a close connection with his family and it means a lot to a small artist like me,” he says.

Vocalist Prasad Khaparde, disciple of Ustad Rashid Khan, thanks…More

TOI :
PUNE: The Pimpri-Chinchwad Municipal Corporation (PCMC) has decided to demolish the unauthorised constructions built by NCP corporator Surdas Gaikwad in Phugewadi.

Subhash Dumbre, additional commissioner, PCMC, told reporters that the structures would be demolished soon after securing police protection.

Padminiraje Mohite, who contested the civic election against Gaikwad, had filed a PIL in the Bombay high court against Gaikwad and his family members in the matter. The illegal constructions have come up on a piece of land which is reserved for a primary school in Phugewadi.

The high court had directed the PCMC commissioner to submit an affidavit on December 10, about the action taken by the PCMC in the matter. Dumbre said, “I will represent the municipal commissioner in the high court and file an affidavit as the commissioner is out of station.”

When contacted, Gaikwad said, “The court case is against my family members (brothers). It is regarding unauthorised construction on reserved land.” He refused to comment further.

Civic officials said that the Bhosari police were not in position to provide protection for the demolition work as they were busy with President Pratibha Patil’s visit to the city this week. The police have said that they can now provide protection on December 11.

Print Emai…More

TOI :
PUNE: It is a unanimous opinion and every first-time artist at the Sawai Gandharva music festival this year declares that it is indeed a grand honour to perform on this esteemed platform. The festival is being held from December 11 to 14.

Speaking to TOI, carnatic vocalist Aruna Sairam says, “The Sawai Gandharva music festival is one of the most important landmarks on the cultural map of the nation. Born and brought up in Mumbai, I have personally been very inspired by Pt Bhimsen Joshi’s singing and music. I often sing some of his songs in my shows.” Sairam, who counts her mother Rajalakshmi Sethuraman among her many gurus, is a known figure in the world of classical music and performs all over the world.

Madhuri Dandge, a disciple of Padma Shri Manik Verma and Malavika Kanan, says, “I am originally from Pune and though I have performed at the best of festivals in the country, this one ranks high up there. I’m honoured.”

Krushnendra Wadikar, a disciple of Shripati Padegar who was a disciple of Pt Joshi, says though he is looking forward to performing at the festival, he is also a bit frightened to step on to such an honoured platform. “I do not have words to express my happiness and gratitude. However, performing on a stage that has seen great musicians is a scary prospect.”

Son and disciple of the late Pt C R Vyas, vocalist Suhas Vyas is also excited at the thought of performing at the festival. “Panditiji has received the Bharat Ratna this year and the fact that he has dedicated the award to the Khayal’ tradition of music makes it even more special. My family has always had a close connection with his family and it means a lot to a small artist like me,” he says.

Vocalist Prasad Khaparde, disciple of Ustad Rashid Khan, thanks…More

TOI :
PUNE: The Pimpri-Chinchwad Municipal Corporation (PCMC) has decided to demolish the unauthorised constructions built by NCP corporator Surdas Gaikwad in Phugewadi.

Subhash Dumbre, additional commissioner, PCMC, told reporters that the structures would be demolished soon after securing police protection.

Padminiraje Mohite, who contested the civic election against Gaikwad, had filed a PIL in the Bombay high court against Gaikwad and his family members in the matter. The illegal constructions have come up on a piece of land which is reserved for a primary school in Phugewadi.

The high court had directed the PCMC commissioner to submit an affidavit on December 10, about the action taken by the PCMC in the matter. Dumbre said, “I will represent the municipal commissioner in the high court and file an affidavit as the commissioner is out of station.”

When contacted, Gaikwad said, “The court case is against my family members (brothers). It is regarding unauthorised construction on reserved land.” He refused to comment further.

Civic officials said that the Bhosari police were not in position to provide protection for the demolition work as they were busy with President Pratibha Patil’s visit to the city this week. The police have said that they can now provide protection on December 11.

Print Emai…More

TOI : PUNE: The Pimpri-Chinchwad Municipal Corporation (PCMC) will be constructing the longest flyover in Pune district near the Empire Estate in Chinchwad.

Speaking to TOI, Dilip Kudale, co-ordinator of the Jawaharlal Nehru National Urban Renewal Mission (JNNURM) cell, said the civic body has received a sanction from the Union government to build the flyover under this scheme.

The PCMC has received Rs 442.60 crore for developing two Bus Rapid Transit System (BRTS) corridors one from Nashik phata to Wakad and the second 11.2-km long corridor from Kalewadi to Dehu-Alandi.

Kudale said, “The flyover near Empire Estate, on the old Pune-Mumbai highway, is part of the Kalewadi to Dehu-Alandi BRTS corridor. The total width of this stretch will be 45 metre. Meanwhile, the total length of the flyover will be 1.9 km, while the width will be around 27 metre.”

He added, “The flyover will have six lanes and the width of each lane will be 3.5 metre. One lane on each side of the road divider will be marked for BRTS buses. There will be a cycle track on both sides of the flyover, measuring 2.5 metre. There will also be 1.5 metre wide footpath.”

The main roads in the township Dehu-Alandi road, old Pune-Mumbai highway, Aundh-Ravet road, Telco road and westerly bypass are in the east-west direction. The Kalewadi to Dehu-Alandi BRTS corridor will run in the north south direction and connect all these roads.

“The flyover will begin in Kalewadi and cross the Pavana river, Pimpri-Chinchwad link road, Pune-Lonavla railway line and the old Pune-Mumbai highway and end near Autocluster in Chinchwad”, said Kudale.

The traffic congestion on the Indira Gandhi flyover in Pimpri is expected to reduce, since people from Kalewadi and nearby areas, who have to cross the railway tracks, and the old Pune-Mumbai highway will use the new flyover.

“The flyover will be built on a 45-metre-wide…More

TOI :
PUNE: Performing at an event organised by the Sangeet Natak Akademi in New Delhi is no doubt an honour for any performer and city-based powada’ artist Shahir Hemant Mavle thinks no differently.

Invited by the Akademi to perform at their festival of nationalist and patriotic themes in regional music traditions, Mavle is overjoyed with what he describes as recognition for his art. The festival is being held to commemorate the 150th anniversary of the First War of Independence and the 60th anniversary of India’s independence.

“The Akademi is a great organisation. So an invitation from it is a huge honour for me and I’m glad to have been given this opportunity to represent my state. Though the theme is nationalist music, it should also be of a specific region, and hence powadas from Maharashtra.”

Mavle, who has been singing powadas for the past 27 years, learnt the art from his guru Shahir Kisanrao Hinge. “After my Std X examinations, we got a break for three months. That’s when I started attending various music shows. At one such event, I had the good fortune to see Hinge perform,” recalls Mavle.

At the end of the programme, Hinge bemoaned the sad state of the powada genre of music and offered to teach anyone who was interested. “It was then that I decided to learn the art from him along with a few friends,” he says.

Mavle’s association with his guru lasted until his death 16 years later. And it his tradition that Mavle continues with when he teaches youngsters interested in learning powadas. “I teach through an organisation called the Shahir Hinge Lok Kala Prabodhini with the aim of propagating the art and promoting it amongst the youth,” he states.

Speaking of the powada form of art, Mavle says, “Though there are few people practising this particular form, I’m glad to say that I…More

TOI :
PUNE: Members of the non-motorised transport (NMT) cell have blamed the civic administration for being hasty in putting up crash barriers on Senapati Bapat road, without considering pedestrians.

On Saturday, BJP corporator Vikas Mathkari and Nilesh Nikam of the NCP had objected to the removal of the crash barriers on Senapati Bapat road. They alleged that city NGOs bully the civic administration on matters related to city traffic. Activists of the NMT, they said, were misguiding the civic administration.

Replying to these allegations, members of the NMT, Ranjit Gadgil of Janwani, Sujit Patwardhan of Pune Traffic and Transport Forum and Ashok Sreenivas of Parisar said, “The NMT cell provides inputs to contractors and engineers so that better footpaths and cycle tracks are built. It also helps PMC on issues related to pedestrians and cyclists. Recently the cell took up the issue of University chowk, where pedestrians find it very difficult to cross the road. Many local citizens joined in to offer suggestions.”

The activists issued a press statement which pointed out that the poorly installed crash barriers on Senapati Bapat road reduced the width of the already narrow footpath. This, along with CYG signposts, made the footpath unusable. A public toilet is also located here and there are many overgrown bushes. Pedestrians prefer to walk on the road, which is dangerous.

The statement goes on to say that this kind of crash barrier is used on highways and is not suitable as a pedestrian railing. The curvature of the road is such that if a vehicle loses control, it will go towards the centre of the road, not onto the footpath. The solution should be focussed on slowing down speeding vehicles, rather than creating barriers that make it difficult for pedestrians to use the footpath. “It is regrettable that the administration did not think of these problems when it commissioned the work,” the activists…More

TOI :
PUNE: The Bund Garden police arrested two sex workers for allegedly robbing a man at a subway near the Pune railway station on Sunday evening. The women have been identified as Renuka Chavan (22) of Lohegaon and Rohini Kadam (32) of Tadiwala road.

Sub-inspector Ashok Randive said, “Dinakar Gawte (22) of Shirur reached Pune around 8 pm on Sunday. He was on his way to the PMPML bus stop, when two sex workers blocked his way and demanded money. When he refused to do so, they forced him into the subway, snatched Rs 1,000 from him and fled.”

“Gawte rushed to the police chowky and filed a complaint. We checked almost all autorickshaws near the railway station. The two women tried to flee when they saw us. But, we managed to nab them after a brief chase and recovered Rs 1,000 from their possession,” said Randive.

The duo was presented before the court on Monday and remanded to police custody till December 12.

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