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Tue, Jul 10 Sixty-year musical tradition binds dalits to palkhis By IE Tuesday July 10, 12:59 AM Vaadan Kala Manch, with performers from across the State, accompanies palkhis up to the end of city limits WAY back in 1947, they first gathered under a lemon tree on Solapur Road to express through music their devotion to Vithoba when the Dnyaneshwar and Tukaram palkhis passed through Pune on their way to Pandharpur. On Monday, the Vaadan Kala Manch, a group of dalit musicians from across the State who accompany the palkhis up to the boundaries of the city, completed 60 years. Run by octogenarian Kondiram Vitthal Rithe since its inception, the Manch, formerly known as the Magaasvargeeya Vadya Kala Parishad, came into being after independence when the palkhis were first allowed to travel via Solapur Road. Earlier, during the British regime, palkhis were prohibited from passing through Solapur Road, which falls in the Pune Cantonment area and had to take the Bopdev Ghat route instead. Towards the end of June, some 50 Dalit musicians, representing generations of musical tradition, gather at Pune from Beed, Parbhani, Solapur, Sangli and Baramati. As the palkhis leave Pune for Pandharpur, the musicians accompany the Warkaris along Solapur Road till the city limits and then turn back. On their return, the musicians, who play at weddings the rest of the year, stage a grand performance in the Pune Cantonment area. "The artistes play traditional instruments like harmonium, dholak, sundri, shehnai and halgi. The group has seen well-known musicians like shehnai exponent Babanrao Gaikwad, vocalist Ram Salve, halgi vaadak Appasaheb Khude and many more," said Rithe, who, at 88, has not yet lost his passion for music. At the end of the performances, the best musician is presented with an award. For 60 years, the musical accompaniment to the palkhis has continued without fail every year and the Sawai Gandharva of the dalits has come a long way. From silver medallions worth 25 paise, garlands of one paisa coins and tea made with jaggery instead of sugar, today's performers are presented with glittering trophies and shields along with lavish feasts. The makeshift open-air stage under the lemon tree has been replaced by a closed auditorium where the artistes perform on a stage using chairs and tables. "The manch has come this far thanks to the support of former Pune Cantonment Board chairman Bapu Ganla, who gave us our premises in Solapur Bazar and allowed us to perform at the PCB auditorium in Pulgate area," said Rithe. Ganla is a regular patron of the musical performance every year and will present the awards this year. This year, the group will perform at the PCB Samaj Mandir at Solapur Bazar on Wednesday, 10 am onwards. The judges' panel comprises dholki player Mohan Adsul, Shahir Brahmanikar, Gafurbhai Punekar and others.
