Nagpur: Music, memories and timeless melodies marked the opening of the Khasdar Jyestha Nagrik Sanskrutik Mahotsav at Kavivarya Suresh Bhat Hall, Reshimbagh, as veteran playback singer Suresh Wadkar and actress Padmini Kolhapure enthralled a packed auditorium of senior citizens on Saturday evening. Opening the evening with devotional renditions such as ‘Omkar Swarupa’ and ‘Devachiye Dwari Ubha Kshanbhari’, Wadkar led the audience into a celebration of evergreen melodies. He went on to present popular numbers including ‘Seene Mein Jalan’, ‘Tumse Milke Aisa Laga’, ‘Pahile Na Mi Tula’, ‘Megha Re Megha’, ‘Aur Is Dil Mein Kya Rakha Hai’, ‘Ae Zindagi Gale Laga Le’ and ‘Chappa Chappa Charkha Chale’. Senior citizens responded with resounding applause, with many rising to their feet and dancing along.A special moment unfolded when ‘Main Hoon Prem Rogi’ from the film Prem Rog was rendered for Kolhapure, drawing loud cheers from the audience. Sharing memories, Wadkar recalled his four-decade-long association with Nagpur and Amravati, mentioning local artists who had performed his compositions. “Nagpur’s audiences listen with genuine attention — that has been my experience for the past forty years. I have visited Nagpur and Amravati several times,” he said.He also reminisced about Kolhapure’s childhood, noting that she had recorded playback with him at the age of six and that her father, Pandharinath Kolhapure, treated him like his own son.A highlight of the inaugural ceremony was a soulful performance by Kolhapure, who captivated the audience with her singing. She rendered “Zindagi Pyar Ka Geet Hai” from the film Souten.An audio-video message from Union Minister Nitin Gadkari, who was unable to attend due to ill health, was played during the programme. Gadkari conveyed his best wishes and said the festival aims to bring joy and dignity to senior citizens.Organised by the Senior Citizen Foundation, the festival opened to a packed auditorium. Kolhapure inaugurated the programme, while former MP Datta Meghe presided over the function.Earlier, Dr Haribhau Kanade and Dr Sanjeev Chaudhary were felicitated for their contributions. Prof Anil Sole delivered the introductory address, and Madhavi Pandey anchored the event. Secretary Dr Raju Mishra, Ashok Mankar, Avinash Ghuse and other dignitaries were present.The Mahotsav will continue over the coming days with cultural programmes dedicated to celebrating senior citizens. ‘Raj Kapoor true showman’Reflecting on Hindi cinema, Wadkar remarked that while many today prefix “Showman” to their names, the true and only Showman was Raj Kapoor. After rendering “Main Hoon Prem Rogi” from the film Prem Rog, Wadkar spoke about Kapoor’s legendary work ethic and commanding presence. “Nowadays, anyone casually prefixes their name with ‘Showman’. But the true and one-and-only Showman was Raj Kapoor,” he said. He described Kapoor as disciplined and uncompromising in his work, stating that the filmmaker remained fully dedicated from the start of a shoot to a film’s release and never showed laxity — not even with his own children on stage.
