Mauli Bhajani Mandal

Mauli Bhajani Mandal

“Our Bhajani Mandal” is extremely active and a bunch of so-to-say talented singers. It has always been like that right from its inception in the year 1962. Tarakaki Shirgaokar who loved music took the first step in this direction and the 1st Bhajan Programme was organized on the terrace of her Bungalow.

Since then this ‘Bhajani Mandal’ has not looked back but advanced forcefully to create a name for itself in the surrounding areas of Ugar. It has been invited to neighbouring places to perform as also in the Temples.

Not only has it performed on ‘Door-Darshan’ Channel, Mumbai but also on E-T.V for the Bhajan Competition. Apart from this we’ve been invited to perform in temples of Goa, Kudaal, Miraj and also during Navratra at the Mahalaxmi Temple, Kolhapur, Shri.Vitthal Temple at Pandharpur and the Balaji Temple at Miraj.

We perform ‘Bhajan’ as ‘Seva’ in many temples every year and it gives great joy to all the performing artists as well. What is most important is the ‘foundation’ of this ‘Bhajani Mandal’ which became strong because of devoted teachers like Shri.Govindrao Kulkarni – a talented person endowed with a love for music who played the harmonium as well. And on the tabla there would be Shri.Joshibuwa – who in spite of loss of one finger on his right hand plaid the tabla remarkably well. Both of them contributed for the success and strong base of this ‘Bhajani Mandal’.

In the meantime, Tarakaki who had immense interest in the progress of the Bhajani Mandal – took pains to get an excellent Guru from Mumbai –Shri.Sabnis and his equally talented wife Mrs.Sabnis and the couple to stay ‘put life’ into this Bhajani Mandal by teaching the ladies ‘how’ to play the ‘taala’ and also the A B C of ‘bhajan’.

They taught different Ragas, and ‘Hari Patha’ bhajans, gavlana etc which is the sould of every ‘Bhajan’. One grand programme of 3 hours was presented by Mauli Bhajani Mandal at Vihar named as “Aanadache dohi Aanad Tarang” Nearly 35 members participated in this Bhupali to Bharavi was the pattern. Bhajan, Natyachhata, Dindi Bharud were the contents of this programmes. Mrs. Meghana Naik took initiative for stage performance. But the whole credit should be given to Sou. Tarakaki Shirgaokar.

In between these years special trainers were invited to provided by Shri. C.T. Mheskar, Shri Badus and Shri Madhu Bhosale from Sangli and shri Manohar Sabnis from Pune, Shri Parshwanath Farate. Recently Shri Zende from Kaulapur was invited specially for Kannada Bhajans.

Because of all these it has performed programmes at various temples of Karnataka. In this way the ‘Bhajani Mandal’ being given a slightly classical base – it has become very melodious and wherever we perform – people tend to appreciate our ‘Bhajani – Group’.

Recently our Bhajani Guru – Shri.Phadnis has added a few ‘Vaarkari’ bhajans also to make it more devotional and soulful. He himself is talented singer, well versed in the ‘Ragas’ and is a great help to our ‘Bhajani Mandal’.

On the tabla, we have Mr.Sudhir Joshi – being the Son of a talented father – Shri.Joshibuwa - who was the original maestro on the tabla for the Bhajani Mandal in its initial stages. Sudhir has proved to be equally competent in this field too. Being an excellent accompanist on the ‘tabla’ he has taken our Bhajan to great heights. He is invited to accompany many talented ‘Kirtan Kaars’ all over Maharashtra and Goa.

As of today our tabla accompanist Shri.Bahuballi, whose name itself suggests the power of his hands is doing quite well on the tabla. Recently our performance for the ‘Udupi Samaja’ at Hubli was highly appreciated and given a standing oration. We are indeed proud of our ‘Bhajani Mandal’.

Kirti Sirdesai herself an M.A (Music) is the Soul of this Bhajan Mandal. We intend to perform on a Kannada Channel by offering ‘bhajans’ of Purandardas, Kanakasa and ‘Basav – Vachan’ of-course. Our Bhajani Mandal, by way of ‘Seva’ also performs in ‘Homes for the Aged’ and even in ‘Jail’ to entertain and give to joy to its’ inmates.

God loves music and music creates harmony in the mind of a person and brings peace to every home and society at large. Recently our Bhajani Mandal performed on Tomato FM and all of them were honored with “Certificate of Appreciation” We got National Level grade and it was also broadcasted on Sangli Radio Station.