Latest news with #Abhangwari
Time of India
10 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Time of India
Mahesh Kale returns to Kolkata with the spirit of Abhangwari
Mahesh Kale, the National Award-winning vocalist, recently performed Abhangwari in Kolkata. The devotional concert, inspired by the Wari pilgrimage, drew a large audience. Kale presented abhangs dedicated to Lord Vitthal. He also unveiled his original composition, Abhangwari, in Mumbai. His global tour included stops in Berlin, Zurich, Amsterdam, Chicago, and Vancouver. After a memorable outing last year, National Award-winning Hindustani classical vocalist Mahesh Kale brought his acclaimed musical journey Abhangwari back to Kolkata recently. The devotional concert played to a packed house, reaffirming Kale's deep connect with the city's discerning music lovers. Abhangwari is inspired by the Bhakti tradition and Maharashtra's centuries-old wari pilgrimage to Pandharpur, offering a curated experience of abhangs dedicated to Lord Vitthal. Kale's soulful renditions of Sukhache Je Sukh , Abeer Gulal , Bolava Vitthal and Sada Majhe Dola struck a powerful chord with the audience, who responded with heartfelt silence and spontaneous applause. 'Performing in Kolkata always feels like having a conversation with listeners who respond with both intellect and emotion,' Kale shared. A disciple of the legendary Pt. Jitendra Abhisheki, Kale is known for blending classical rigour with contemporary accessibility. Based in San Francisco, he leads the Mahesh Kale School of Music and has been touring globally with Abhangwari —including recent stops in Berlin, Zurich, Amsterdam, Chicago, and Vancouver. The India leg included performances across Mumbai, Pune, Delhi, Bengaluru, and culminated in Kolkata. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like An engineer reveals: One simple trick to get internet without a subscription Techno Mag Learn More Undo At his Mumbai concert, Kale also unveiled an original composition titled Abhangwari , a piece that encapsulates the devotional energy of the wari and his mission to bring it to audiences who may never physically undertake the journey. In Kolkata, that mission found an emotional home once again. Ask ChatGPT
Time of India
13-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Time of India
Rahul Deshpande Mesmerises Nagpur at 10th Year Celebration of ‘Abhangwari'
Nagpur: Renowned classical singer enthralled the audience during his soulful performance at 'Abhangwari', held at Suresh Bhat Auditorium in Nagpur on Sunday evening. The event, celebrating 10 years of the devotional musical series, was organised by city-based NGO Arunai, led by Gaurav and Tejaswini Belsare, with support from various sponsors. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now The packed auditorium resonated with devotional fervour as Deshpande rendered timeless abhangs like 'Bolava Vitthala', 'Abir Gulal', 'Maze Maher Pandhari', 'Kanada Raja Pandharicha', 'Teerth Vitthal', and 'Shriranga Vitthala'. Marking the fifth city in the nationwide tour, 'Abhangwari' will travel to several more cities in the coming two months. Rahul's sister, Deepti Deshpande, also performed at the event. Rahul shares a deep bond with Nagpur, where he gave his first performance at the age of 11. His grandfather was raised in the city and was born in Amravati district of Vidarbha.
India Today
11-07-2025
- Entertainment
- India Today
Mahesh Kale's concert tour
After captivating audiences across Europe, the United States and Canada with his deeply evocative devotional performances, Mahesh Kale—one of India's leading Hindustani classical vocalists—has returned to India with 'Abhangwari' (songs in praise of Lord Vithoba). The highly anticipated concert tour began on June 29 in Indore and continues through July with performances in Mumbai, Pune, Delhi, Chennai, Bengaluru, Nagpur and Kolkata.
Hindustan Times
02-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Hindustan Times
Singer Mahesh Kale on celebrating Ashadi Ekadashi: Singing abhangs is my way of walking to Pandharpur, in spirit
This Sunday (July 6) marks Ashadi Ekadashi, a major festival in Maharashtra and a significant day for the Warkari sect that culminates in a pilgrimage to the Vitthal temple in Pandharpur. To mark the festival, Indian classical singer Mahesh Kale will take the stage in Mumbai and Pune as part of his concert series, titled Abhangwari. Sharing how the shows will be a homage to the spirit of Ashadi Ekadashi, Mahesh says, 'My concerts are woven around the idea of the pilgrimage that happens during Ashadi Ekadashi. So, being able to do the concert, to me, is like walking towards God, but in music. It will also mark a celebration of the spirit of the warkaris.' Mahesh Kale The singer participated in the walk to Pandharpur last year for the pilgrimage. Speaking about it, he says, 'Walking in the wari was surreal, especially because I had travelled 30-odd hours right before I started to walk. You usually feel fatigued after a long international travel, but I was super energised. That environment and energy is hard to explain. I also got to sing with the warkaris in the pilgrimage. That experience will stay with me forever. I wish I could do wari every single year. Abhangwari is my way of going to Pandharpur in spirit. Mahesh performs concerts that are high on devotional music from Maharashtra across the world. Sharing what drew him to abhangs and why he felt the need to take it beyond the realm of his home state, the vocalist, who would be rendering abhangs like Abir Gulal, Kanada Raja Pandharicha, Sukhache Je Sukh and the Abhangwari title track at the shows, shares: 'I grew up in an atmosphere where abhangs were a part of our life. Every Thursday and Sunday, my father would take the family to a congregation of bhajan in a mandal. Hence, just like Indian classical music, abhang is my happy place. So if I feel a bigger diaspora can find solace and happiness in it, then why restrict it to borders and language? That's why I'm not just performing in Maharashtra, but also in Delhi, Kolkata, Indore, Bengaluru, and Chennai. While he is looking forward to seeing the seasoned classical music aficionados in the audience, he's also sure that young listeners would drop by too: 'I see a lot of youth representation in my concerts, and I'm grateful for that. Of course, I get a lot of aashirvaad from the older generation, but I'm also very excited that the youth is coming to these concerts, because the more number of young people attending such shows, the longer the tradition will be upheld.' Mahesh will perform in Mumbai on July 5 at Shanmukhananda Hall, Sion, 6.30pm onwards and in Pune on July 6 at Mahalaxmi Lawns, Karve Nagar, 6.30pm onwards.
The Hindu
20-06-2025
- Entertainment
- The Hindu
Vocalist Rahul Deshpande brings his devotional concert to Hyderabad
This weekend, the music festival Vasantotsav arrives in Hyderabad with a performance by noted classical vocalist Rahul Deshpande. The two-and-a-half-hour concert, titled Abhangwari, features abhangs, bhajans, and devotional compositions dedicated to Lord Vittala of Pandharpur. 'I'm excited to perform for a discerning audience in Hyderabad, one that truly appreciates classical and devotional music,' says Rahul. Now in its 10th year, Vasantotsav is held in memory of Rahul's grandfather, the legendary vocalist Vasantrao Deshpande. The next edition will take place at Sri Shanmukhananda Fine Arts and Sangeetha Sabha in Mumbai on June 29. 'It's been a while since I last performed in Hyderabad, so I decided to bring Abhangwari to the city,' he adds. Respect for art forms With a foundation in classical music and a deep respect for various art forms, Rahul moves fluidly between genres and mediums. 'My grandfather used to say that music has three dimensions — sur (melody), lay (rhythm) and abhinay (expression or acting),' he recalls. 'Beyond that, I've always been sensitive to different art forms and hold them in high regard.' Rahul is also working on reviving a musical stage production originally performed by his grandfather. 'There's also an exciting acting project in the pipeline,' he adds, 'but I can't speak much about it just yet.' Organised by Tatvaa Arts, Abhangwari concert by Rahul Deshpande will be held at Shilpakala Vedika on June 22; tickets: Bookmyshow
