Swaranjali

 

I heard Pandit Kumar Gandharva singing in a private Mehfil at Vile Parle when I was barely seven years old. My father Senior Journalist Madhu Shetye who was connoisseur  of Indian Classical Music was keen that I listen to classical music  had taken me along with him to attend this programme. This was first programme which I attended and had a great impact on me till date. I was too young to understand the finer nuances of classical music but what I heard was magical and divine. Today when I listen to Kumarji’s audios and videos I am compelled to write about this musical genius. My father has a wonderful collection of classical music and recently I have digitalised many cassettes to preserve this lovely music and to share it with other music lovers. It is gratitude for my music loving parents that I decided to write about music and preserve it.

On 34^th Punyatithee of Pandit Kumar Gandharva my Swaranjali. 

Pandit Kumar Gandharva  ( 8 April 1924 – 12 January 1992 ) is a renowned Indian, Hindustani classical singer. Originally known as Shivaputra Siddharamayya Komkali  he was, well known for his unique vocal style and for his refusal to be bound by the tradition of any gharana. The name, Kumar Gandharva, is a title given to him when he was a child prodigy; Gandharvas are celestial musicians in Hindu mythology.

By the age of five, he had already shown signs of a musical prodigy and first appeared on stage at the age of 10. When he was 11, his father sent him to study music under the well-known classical teacher, B.R. Deodhar. Kumar Gandharva studied in Deodhar School of Music at Opera House, Mumbai. His mastery of technique and musical knowledge was so rapid that Gandharva himself was teaching at the school before he had turned 20. By his early 20s, Gandharva was seen as a star of music and was praised by critics.

Gandharva experimented with other forms of singing such as Nirguni bhajans (devotional songs), folk songs, and with both ragas and presentation, often going from fast to slow compositions in the same raga. A Nirgun Bhajan is a devotional song focused on the concept of the formless, attribute-less Divine (God without physical form or specific characteristics), emphasizing spiritual wisdom, the nature of reality, and the journey to self-realization, often contrasting with Saguna (form-based) devotion. These bhajans explore profound philosophical ideas about life, existence, and the ultimate truth, often attributed to mystics like Kabir. Kabir is the premier nirgun poet of North India.

Pandit Kumar Gandharva was a musicologist and he deeply studied folk music (especially from Malwa), and sung many folk songs called Malwi Geet. Uthi Uthi Sakhi Sab Mangal Dayi,  is a famous Malwi Geet another famous song is Main Gaoon Pad Gaun. Yugan Yugan Ham Yogi is a Kabir Bhajan. Udho Akhiyan Ati Anuragi is a Malwi Geet. Mhara Olagiya Ghar Ayaji is another beautifully sung Meera Bhajan.   Ud Jayega Hans Akela Jag Darshan Ka Mela a beautiful deeply spiritual Kabir Bhajan. Aho Pati So Upai Kacchu Kije a Soordas Bhajan sung soulfully by Kumar Gandharva. Nirbhay Nirgun a famous Kabir Nirguni Bhajan. Piya Ji mhare Naina Aage- Meera Bhajan. Nain ghat ghat tan a Soordas Bhajan and Kaun Thagva Nagariya Lootal Ho a deeply philosophical and outstanding rendition. Sakhi Mori Nind Nasani Ho is another beautifully sung Meera Bhajan.

 He composed many new raagas like  Gandhi, Ahimohini, Malvati, Saheli Todi, Beehad Bairav, and Lagan Gandhar, showcasing his unique blend of traditional Hindustani music with indigenous sounds, a style he termed "Dhun Ugam Ragas". Thus he was a musical genious.

He is remembered for his great legacy of innovation, questioning tradition without rejecting it outright, resulting in music in touch with the roots of Indian culture, especially the folk music of Madhya Pradesh. His innovative approach towards music led to the creation of new ragas from combinations of older ragas.

Pandit Kumar Gandharva also sang Natya Sangeet with equal finess. I have heard his Natya Sangeet such as Nath Ha Maza Mohi Khala, Sujan Kasa Man Chori ,  Mama Atma Gamala Ha from Sangeet Natak Swayamwar. Mala Madan Bhase Ha Mohe Mana from Sangeet Manapman . Karina Yadumani Sadana from Swayamwar, Kashi Ya Tyaju Padala from Ekach Pyala. Nayane Lajavit from Manapman, Virat Jnyani Kondatala from Sangeet Natak Draupadi,  Prabhu Aji Gamala Mani Toshala from Ekach Pyala.

I have heard many beautiful renditioning of ragas like Bahar, Kaamod, Dhanbasanti, Gaud Malhar, Meg, Savani, Sindura, Shankara, Bihag, Jeevanpuri, Gandhi Malhar,  Miya Malhar.

Some of his famous songs are Rajan Ab to Aaja Re, Jamuna Kinare Mora Gaon Sware Aijaiyo, Aaj Achanak Gath Pade, Ajuni Rusun Aahe Khulata Kali Khulena, Uthi Uthi Gopala, Runanubandhachya Jithun Padlya Gathi Bhetit Trushtata  Mothi.

These are timeless melodies which many generations will cherish. Pandit Kumar Gandharva will continue to mesmerise his audience with his musical genius.

Nana Chowk Fire Brigade

 One of the earliest fire stations in Bombay was established in the 1920s at Nana Chowk. The fire station is listed as a Grade III heritage site by the Mumbai Heritage Conservation Committee. As part of the Fire Brigade headquartered at Byculla, it has developed over the years, from horse-drawn steam engines putting out fires in the vicinity to large fire engines handling emergencies and major disasters. (reference : https://www.mcgm.gov.in/..)

This is the photograph of the original Nana Chowk Fire Brigade before it was reconstructed. The Fire Brigade underwent a total revamp from 2013 onwards and now has been transformed. It has 3 fire engines.

                                        Original Nana Chowk Fire Brigade -photo credit Chandana Shetye

                                           

                                           The Nana Chowk Fire Brigade at present.

Nana Chowk's Historical Legacy

     Photo credit Chandana Shetye

Nana Chowk is located at Grant Road, South Mumbai. It is a confluence of five major roads. It is named after Jagannath Shankarsheth  also called as Nana Shankarsheth .  

Jagannath Shankarsheth Murkute MLC (10 February 1803 – 31 July 1865) popularly known as Nana Shankarsheth was an Indian Philanthropist and Educationalist. He was born in the wealthy Murkute family in Murbad,Thane. In 1861 he was a member of Bombay presidency assembly. In 1862 he became the adviser of governor of Bombay presidency. Nana Donated Huge Acres of land for Formation of Mumbai city and for development of Port areas in Mumbai. He died in Mumbai on 31 July 1865. A year after his death a marble statue was erected at the Asiatic Society of Mumbai. Erstwhile Girgaon Road and Nana Chowk ( Jagannath Sunkerseth Chowk) at Grant Road are named after him in South Mumbai.

The sprawling Victoria Gardens, housing a zoo, botanical gardens and the Bhau Daji Lad Museum, was the product of his vision and efforts.

The Bhavani-Shankar Mandir and The Ram Mandir near Nana Chowk were built by Shankarsheth Babulsheth in the early-19th century and are currently in the possession of the Shankarsheth family. The statue in the photographs above is of Nana Shankarsheth in Nana Chowk and every year his descendants gather on 31st July to pay homage to him and his great philanthropic work .

Nana Chowk Before Skywalk was Constructed

 Nana Chowk Before Skywalk was Constructed - Pictures by Chandana Shetye

This is the Nana Chowk Junction with Ishwardas Mansion , Ness Baug and New Municipal Building

                                                                              👇     

Chandana Shetye - Senior Researcher in Urban Governance gave guidance in Area Sabha at Azmi Nagar on Community Participation Law on 26th Spetember 2010

Chandana Shetye's Interview Published in Chitralekha 5 February 2007

 

Maharashtra Social Watch Report 2010 - Chandana Shetye

 

MP Funds Analysis - YUVA Published in Indian Express in April 2004

 

 

Part 4 Seventy fifth Birthday Celebration of Shri Madhu Shetye : Classical Music Performance - Pandit Manohar Shetye

Part 3 Seventy fifth Birthday Celebration of Shri Madhu Shetye : Pandit Naresh Kumta - Flute Recital

Madhu Shetye - Senior Journalist

Part 2 Seventy fifth Birthday Celebration of Shri Madhu Shetye - Senior Journalist

Part 1 Seventy fifth Birthday Celebration of Shri Madhu Shetye - Senior Journalist

May 2017, Civic Elections in Panvel, Bhiwandi- Nizampur and Malegaon Municipal Corporations.

May 2017, Civic  Elections in Panvel, Bhiwandi- Nizampur and Malegaon Municipal Corporations.

Name of the Municipal Corporation	Bharatiya Janata Party	Shiv Sena	Bharatiya Shetkari Kamgar Paksh	Indian National Congress	Nationalist Congress Party	Maharashtra Nav Nirman Sena	AIMIM	Others
Panvel	51	0	23	2	2	0	-	0
Bhiwandi- Nizampur	19	12	-	47	-	-	-	12 *
Malegaon	9	13	-	28	26 **	1	7	2

Note *  Others in Bhiwandi Nizampur include Konark Vikas Aghadi – 4. RPI – 4, Samajwadi Party -2 and Indpendents – 2 seats respectively.

**  Nationalist Congress Party – won 20 seats  and Janata Dal (S) won 6 seats and together  they  won 26 seats in Malegaon MC.

Bharatiya Janata Party has continued its winning streak in Panvel Municipal Corporation election held on 24^th May 2017. The results for 78 seats of Panvel MC were declared on 26^th May 2017 in which BJP won 51 seats, The Bharatiya Shetkari Kamgar Paksha (BSKP) won 23 seats. The BSKP’s alliance partners Congress and NCP Won 2 seats each. Prashant Thakur the local MLA gives credit to Devendra Fadnavis and Narendra Modi for this big victory. The BJP along with RPI (A) made gains in cosmopolitan areas like Kharghar, Kamothe, Kalamboli and new Panvel. BJP benefited where the voters found a disconnect with regional and local  party.

Shiv Sena has turned out to be a big loser as it could not win a single seat and so was MNS.

Bhiwandi- Nizampur Municipal Corporation gave INC a new lease of life. Out of the total 90 seats, The Indian National Congress managed to win 47 seats and retain its power. The demonetisation had badly hit power looms business in Bhiwandi which resulted in defeat of BJP. The BJP won 19 seats, still up from its 2012 performance when it won only 8 seats, Konark Viks Aghadi- the BJP ally won 4 seats taking the tally of saffron alliance to 23 in a Muslim-dominated city. The NCP and Samajwadi Party Party suffered shocking defeat. The NCP could not win a single seat. In 2012, NCP had won 9 seats where as Samajwadi could retain only 2 seats out of 16 which it had won in 2012. The Shiv Sena, which had earlier won 16 seats in 2012 could only retain 12 seats.

In Malegaon Municipal Corporation the INC has emerged biggest winning party by winning 28 seats. NCP has won 20 seats. Together with the help of NCP, Congress can rule Malegaon MC. The BJP which did not win a single seat in 2012 elections managed to win 9 seats. It had fielded maximum number of Muslim candidates ie 57 Muslim candidates but the seats that it won came from the Hindu sections of this Muslim dominated power loom town.

The All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen ( AIMIM) which made its debut won 7 seats. The Shiv Sena won 13 seats thus improving its performance from 11 seats it had won in 2012.

Out of three elections held in May 2017, Congress has managed to win 2 Corporations of Bhiwandi- Nizampur and Malegaon Municipal Corporation which are powerlooms dominated towns. The relatively newly established Panvel Municipal Corporation has chosen BJP as its ruling party.

Civic Elections in Latur, Chandrapur and Parbhani Municipal Corporations - April 2017

Elections  for Latur, Parbhani and Chandrapur Municipal Corporations  was held on April 19, 2017.Chandrapur, Parbhani and Latur recorded 57 per cent, 70 per cent and 60 per cent voting, respectively. Around 62 per cent people had exercised their franchise.

The Greater Latur Municipal Corporation was established in 2011 along with Chandrapur and Parbhani Municipal Corporations as their  population crossed the mark of 3,00,000 according to 2011 census.

The elections to three municipal corporations in Maharashtra are considered as an acid test for the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party and the Opposition Congress and the NCP. The stakes were high especially for the BJP as it was not in power in any of these municipal corporations. A total of 1,285 candidates are in the fray for the 201 seats in Latur, Parbhani and Chandrapur municipal corporations, whose fate will be decided by 7.93 lakh voters across 1,038 polling stations. 

In 2012 elections were held for the first time in these three Municipal Corporations and the out come was as follows:

In Latur, Indian National Congress won highest number of seats ie.49, Nationalist Congress Party won 13 seats, Shiv Sena won 6 seats and Independents won 2  seats.

In Chandrapur Indian National Congress (INC) won 26 seats, Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) won only 4 seats, Bharatiya Janata Party won 18, Shiv Sena (SS) won 6 seats, Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) won 2 , Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) won one seat, Independents won 10 seats while one seat went to other registered party.

Thus the power of Latur and Chandrapur Municipal Corporations vested in the hands of Indian National Congress.

However in Parbhani the power equation tilted in favour of NCP. In Parbhani Municipal Corporation,  Nationalist Congress Party won highest number of seats ie 30 seats where as  Indian National Congress won 23 seats. Bharatiya Janata Party could win only two seats while Shiv Sena won 8 seats. Independent candidates won 2 seats.

The April 2017 elections changed this balance of political power.  Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) won highest number of seats in Latur and Chandrapur Municipal Corporations.

   21st April 2017   Election Results for Latur, Chandrapur and Parbhani

Name of the Municipal Corporation	Bharatiya Janata Party	Shiv Sena	Indian National Congress	Nationalist Congress Party	Maharashtra Nav Nirman Sena	Bahujan Samaj Party	Others
Latur	36	0	33	1	0	-	0
Chandrapur	39	2	14	2	1	6	2
Parbhani	8	6	31	18	1	-	2

It won 36 seats in Latur and 39 in Chandrapur as against INC which won 33 seats in Latur and 14seats in Chandrapur. NCP could win only 1 seat in Latur and 2 in Chandrapur.  Shiv Sena drew a blank in Latur MC where as it could secure only 2 seats in Chandrapur.  BSP secured 6 seats while MNS, Independents and others secured 1 seat each.

However in Parbhani Municipal Corporation,  Indian  National Congress managed to win highest number of seats ie 31 seats and pushed NCP to second position. NCP secured 18 seats. BJP could win only 8 seats and SS 6 seats. Independents won 2 seats.

In the 70-member Latur corporation, it was a test of political clout for BJP leader and state minister Sambhajirao Nilangekar as well as the local Congress MLA Amit Deshmukh. Here 407 candidates were in the fray whose fate was decided by 2.78 lakh voters.

Chandrapur is the home turf of senior BJP leader and Finance Minister Sudhir Mungantiwar, It was a challenge for him to wrest the power from Congress and he emerged successful in his political strategy.

In Chandrapur Municipal Corporation elections 2017, 460 candidates were trying their luck whose fate was decided by 3.02 lakh voters. Polling for the 66 wards of the Chandrapur Municipal Corporation elections was held on April 19. Chandrapur recorded 50 per cent voting.

 In the 65-member Parbhani municipal corporation, it was a test for district guardian minister and senior Sena leader Diwakar Raote. There were 418 candidates in the fray; number of voters is 2.12 lakh

Thus the Bharatiya Janata Party has been successful in its political strategy in winning two of these three Municipal Corpoartions and there by marginalising the Indian National Congress and the Nationalist Congress Party.