MUMBAI: NCPA's event Dhundi Kalyanna, Dhundi Phulanna is a melodious evening, set to take you on a romantic trip. Based on the theme of love, this concert will offer a glimpse of the golden era of Marathi music, featuring songs dating back to the 1950-70 era.

Singer Pravin Shringarpure, who is the brainchild behind this unique concept, said, “The whole idea is to represent Marathi romantic songs of the 50-70’s era and of even earlier times to the audience. The essence of old songs is eternal and we feel like tuning into them again and again.”

The title Dhundi Kalyanna, Dhundi Phulanna has a special significance. Throwing light on it, Pravin shared, “The title of the show, Dhundi Kalyana Dhundi Phulanna is inspired by a popular Marathi song with the same name. It means being intoxicated by the flowers and buds. We have particularly given emphasizes to flowers. The idea was to take a beautiful title with a lot of freshness. Also, it is spring, the season of love that compliments with our idea of presenting Marathi songs. Hence, we thought of the title, Dhundi Kalyanna, Dhundi Phulanna for the show.”

The show will host a battalion of talented Marathi singers and artists, who are set to put up a show to remember. Pravin told about them saying, “We have professional singers, artists, who will be performing at the event. While, Mirchi Music Award winner, Mandar Apte is a music director, who has sung for TV serials and commercials, Shalmali Sukhtankar was a finalist of Zee Saregamapa Lil Champs in 2008. Trained in classical music, she has grown up to become a talented singer. We also have a versatile singer and winner of Sudhir Phadke award, Nachiket Desai, who is the grandson of late, music director Vasant Desai. Lastly, Neelima Gokhale is a versatile singer, proficient in Marathi and Hindi. She has been in this field since last 30 years.”

Sringarpure also spoke about the key highlights of the event. “To mention a few, there will a presentation of the song, Tine Bechain Hotana sung by Mandar Apte for the TV serial, Radha Hee Bawaree. Hridaynath Mangeshkar’s song, Gand Phoolancha Gela Sangun is also our list apart from another popular Marathi song Zale Phule Kalyani by Arun Patkar. Besides, in the new songs list, there are songs like Saavar Re, Aabhas Ha etc. that we will be crooning at the event.”

Shringarpure, who belongs to a musical family, pursued his passion for music after retiring from his Electrical engineering job. “Apart from singing, I have learnt tabla. I started a group called Swaranas in January 2013 after retiring from my job. So far I have produced about 30 concerts in Thane, Pune etc. dream after retirement from my job.”

On his association with NCPA, Pravin said, “It was during the time of one of my concerts, Bharlelya Ya Swarani Bharlela Janm Ha, also with NCPA, when I received an invite from them for a show and thus Dhundi Kalyanna, Dhundi Phulanna happened.”

 “Our every concert has a different concept. For Dhundi Kalyanna, Dhundi Phulanna it is love songs,” concluded Sringarpure, who has presented six Marathi presentations as of now with this being his seventh.

The emotion of love is indeed all-pervading, and has greatly influenced all kinds of artistic expressions and Marathi literature is not an exception to it. Come and tune into the romantic essence of the season, tomorrow, with Dhundi Kalyanna, Dhundi Phulanna.