Written By: Goher Iqbal Punn
(Bollywood & Indian TV Analyst)
Actress Juhi Chawla’s classical side came to the fore in a serious classical music performance in honour of her Guru, Pandit Pandharinath Kolhapure at Mumbai University’s VV Bhavan, Churchgate on July 30, at 5pm on the occasion of Guru Purnima. The actress came an hour in advance and did her riyaz like any other pupil for her performance along with other renowned musicians including Jayashree Kamabelkar (Vocals), Vibhav Nageshkar (tabla) among others.
Pandit Pandharinath Kolhapure, a disciple of Kumar Gandharva, is a revered musician working towards conservation of our heritage. He is also the father of Padmini, Shivangi and Tejaswini Kolhapure. Pandit Kolhapure, besides penning a book on Kumar Gandharva called Shivputra, is also researching extensively on the origins of Khayal gayaki to be penned as his next book.. “Conservation of our heritage is a responsibility that we should shoulder. After Khayal, I will seek the origins of Dhrupad,” says septuagenarian Pandit Pandharinath Kolhapure who seeks who is also one of the eight rudraveena players in the country. Former President APJ Abdul Kalam is another rudra veena player.
Says Juhi, “Guruji had the faith in me and felt that I could perform in front of such a huge audience of renowned musicians and music lovers. It was a great honour and it was his strength of presence that enabled me to perform.
Pandharinath Kolhapure took the honour and the moment in his stride. “In another two years, Juhi will be an accomplished singer,” he said. And the celebrity pupil donning a new role blushed and smiled her captivating smile at the compliment.
