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Tunes of devotion

Bolava Vitthal, a one-of-a-kind music concert of abhangs and devotional songs, is being organised in Kochi for the first time.

Music lovers in Kochi will soon get the rare opportunity to enjoy a unique concert. ‘Bolava Vitthal’, a famous devotional music concert, is being organised in the city for the first time. The event will be held at Kerala Fine Arts Society Hall, Foreshore Road, Pallimukku, on 16th November from 6 p.m. onwards. Entry is free. Pancham Nishad, an organisation that promotes Indian art and culture, is organising the programme.

Bolava Vitthal is a unique concert of abhangs and devotional songs dedicated to Lord Vitthala on the eve of Ashadi Ekadashi. Ranjani—Gayatri and Jayateerth Mevundi, leading vocalists of the present generation will enthrall the audience by rendering some of the choicest abhangs in their voice. Jayateerth Mevundi ranks top amongst the young brigade of Hindustani music, and has regaled innumerable music lovers spread across the globe through his power-packed performances comprising different genres ranging from classical to semi-classical to devotional music. Ranjani-Gayatri are a sister duo from south India who have been giving performances par excellence since 1997 and performing at Bolava Vitthal since 2012.

This genre of Indian devotional music originated in Maharashtra and Karnataka, inspired by saints who lived in Maharashtra between the 12th to 19th centuries, to praise Lord Panduranga. From the 12th to 19th century, many great saints penned many abhangs devoted to Lord Vitthal.

For the past 13 years, Bolava Vitthal has received tremendous response from the music lovers across India. The man behind this concert, Shashi Vyas, son of vocalist Padma Bhushan Pandit C. R. Vyas, is pleased to hold the event in God’s own country. “Bolava Vitthal concerts have created a niche amongst the audience over the past 13 years. Its pan-India reach symbolises the popularity of devotional song genre,” explains Vyas.

Over 500 concerts of Abhangwani are organised by devotees of Lord Vitthala in Maharashtra and Karnataka to celebrate the auspicious day of Ashadi Ekadashi. Bolava Vitthal is unique amongst these concerts for the primary reason that it is the only event that has taken the concept of Abhangwani beyond the lands of Maharashtra and Karnataka with its one-of-a-kind presentation style.

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