The 2024 edition of G.S.B. Sabha, Mumbai’s annual musical celebration, Bhakti Natya Tarang, on 13th July, was an evening filled with devotion and music. Held at Dwarakanath Bhavan Hall in Shree Ram Mandir, Wadala, even the relentless Mumbai rains and the MET Department’s orange alert couldn’t deter dedicated music lovers from making the journey to be part of this spiritual event. Kala Coast, the artist coordinator for BNT 2024, showcased the talents of budding singers and musicians from the G.S.B. community.
Arya Dhareshwar, Maitreyi Nayak, Omkaar Shenoy, and Shrinivasa Shenoy delivered soulful vocals that captivated the audience, while Siddhartha Mesta on the harmonium, Utpal Sainekar on the tabla, Ashwat Shenoy on the pakhawaj, and eight-year-old Chiranth Manoj Acharya on the manjira provided perfect instrumental support. The evening was masterfully anchored by Jayesh Prabhu, who guided the performers through a mesmerising array of natya sangeet and bhakti padas. The programme’s first half featured evergreen and melodious Marathi natya sangeet.
After a short refreshment break, Sabha President Shri Laxmikant Prabhu expressed his heartfelt gratitude to the lead sponsor, Saraswat Bank. Next, renowned harmonium maestro and Sabha well-wisher, Shri Sudhir Nayak, felicitated the talented artists. Although co-sponsor Shri Mangalore Prakash Hegde could not attend, the Sabha extended their thanks to the venue sponsors, Gorkarn Parthagali Jeevotham Mutt, Shree Ram Mandir Wadala.
Post-break, the audience was treated to stirring renditions of popular Marathi and Kannada bhajans and kirtans. The rhythmic beats of the pakhawaj and tabla resonated through the hall as the audience clapped along to the manjira, their voices rising in unison with chants of “Jai Jai Vithal! Jai Hari Vithal! Vithal! Vithal!” It was an evening that truly celebrated the divine spirit of Vithu Mauli.
