COIMBATORE, 6 MARCH, 2024 (GPN): The 30th Annual Mega Festivities at Isha Yoga Center, Coimbatore kick-started last evening with a 3 Day Yaksha program, a platform for accomplished artists to perform and connoisseurs to appreciate these ancient arts performed by today’s masters. Setting the right tone for the upcoming Mahashivratri celebrations on Friday 8th March, was Pandit Sanjeev Abhyankar, who offered the first presentation with raag Poorvi in devotion to Devi, the feminine form of the divine energy. This was followed by another self-composed offering to Lord Shiva in raag Shankara, sung in his captivating voice.

The Maestro of the Mewati Gharana, Pandit Abhyankar is an artist of international acclaim in the field of Hindustani Classical and Devotional Music with a career spanning over 30 years. Groomed in Hindustani Classical Music from the tender age of eight by his mother Dr. Smt. Shobha Abhyankar, Pandit Pimpalkhare ji of the Gwalior Gharana and Padmavibhushan Pandit Jasraj ji of the Mewati Gharana, Abhyankar enthralled the compelling the crowd to offer him a standing ovation.

Pandit Abhyankar mesmerised the audiences with Sadhguru’s favourite Chant, Nirvana Shatakam, composed in his own unique style. Expressing it’s a privilege and honour to be performing ‘in this holy land’, Abhyankar addressed the crowd saying, “I was expecting Sadhguru here, but I think he’s here within all of you. So I think he was here in thousands. And that gave me extra energy. At the end of it we all want to achieve only one thing, that is Shivo-hum. So we all tried it together; it was only my voice but you were representing me. It was great performing here.”

Abhyankar holds a distinction of performing in over 200 different cities all over the world till date. He has spread the fragrance of Indian Classical music in the U.S.A., Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Europe, Africa and the Middle East. He has also rendered the entire “Dasbodh” containing 7800 verses for an audio book project by the Govt of Maharashtra.

With accolades such as President award and the Top grade from the All India Radio, the prestigious Kumar Gandharva National Award 2008 by Govt. of Madhya Pradesh, the coveted National Award 1998 as the best male playback singer for the Hindi film Godmother, F.I.E. Foundation National Award in 1996, the title Sur-Ratna and the Pandit Jasraj Gaurav Puraskar, Gan-Saraswati Kishori Amonkar Puraskar, Pandit Abhyankar assumes the mantle of a role model of dedication, hard work, patience and perseverance.Ends