Diwali morning concerts, the tradition that started in Maharashtra 2 decades back is now spreading to other parts of the country and abroad becoming an inseparable part of Diwali celebrations. The idea is to start the festivities early morning before the dawn breaks with meditative notes of classical and light music performed by renowned artists. The auditorium is decorated with colorful lanterns rangolis and lamps. The audience comes in their best traditional attire. The entire environment is fresh and pleasant, filled with lights and colors. We are hoping to spread the same spirit through this concert here in Seattle.

Friday, October 7, 2011

Asha Seattle Presents Dr. Sharad Gadre Memorial Diwali Concert 2011

Savoring tasty treats and sweets this Diwali with your family and friends?
Feed your soul as well with the musical melodies!
Complete the festive feel with the Indian music concert!!

When : Saturday, October 29 from 10:00 AM to 12:30 PM

Where: Eastside Baha'i Center
16007 NE 8th St. Bellevue, WA 98008

Co Sponsored by Pratidhwani

We are continuing the tradition of the morning Diwali concert that started with the graceful performance by the late Dr. Sharad Gadre two years ago. He was the one to encourage us to organize this concert the first year. Also he had wished that it was a beginning of long lasting tradition in our area. From this year, we are dedicating the Asha Diwali Concert in his honor by naming it
"Dr. Sharad Gadre Memorial Diwali Concert". We thank Mrs. Shaila Gadre for allowing us to do so.

This year's concert will feature performances by


accompanied by
Jayant Bhopatkar (Tabla) and Makarand Gadre (Harmonium)


We are taking a fresh new approach to the concert this year and showcasing various genres of classical and semi-classical music.
So it will have interesting music for every taste!

Suggested donation $10/per person. We are accepting cash or checks at the venue. If you want to donate by credit card, donate using the following link - http://www.ashanet.org/seattle/events/DiwaliConcert2011/

Snacks and tea will be available at the venue for purchase.
All the profits and donations will go to ASHA Seattle.

We have limited seating. If you are planning to attend, please RSVP below.
OR you can RSVP on facebook event page at -
https://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=132838813483296

Responses are being collected in secured document, so your information is not exposed.


Artists performing for Asha Diwali Morning Concert 2011

Sanket Joshi

I have been learning Hindustani classical as well as light vocal music from Shree. Vishwanath Oak from Aurangabad for more than 15 years. In addition, I have also taken professional light music training from Music director Padmashree Shree. Kalyanji bhai of the "Kalyanji-Anandji" fame. As a child artist, I performed in his "Little -Wonders" concert for about 4 years (part of his Kalaveer academy) and was one of the finalists in TVS-SAREGAMA. I've had the good opportunity to present my music to the masses through more than 14 shows of my own concert : Swar-Sanket (blend of Hindi / Marathi melodies) all over Maharashtra.

My singing career continued to grow through my masters in ASU and while working in Microsoft - Seattle, thanks to the Maharashtra Mandal and a great group of performing enthusiasts. At this juncture, I also won the singing contest Meri Awaj Suno organised by Pratidhwani. I have had the privilege to perform classical music for a global audience organised by Northwest Language Academy.

Over the years, I have had the fortuity of performing various forms of Indian music such as light music, gazals, Indian classical music. Music is my passion, and it feels even better to be able to blend in my passion towards a good cause. I would like to thank ASHA for giving me this opportunity.


Ganga Narayanan


Software Engineer by profession. Music and Dance are my passion.
Participated and won numerous competitions in school and college in music and dance.
Recently, a finalist in Zee SaReGaMaPa USA 2008.
Very active in the music and dance circle in Seattle.

Currenly learning Carnatic vocal from Meera Krishna.


Jayant Bhopatkar


Jayant started Tabla training at the age of 9 and learnt Tabla for about 3 years from Mr. Vasant Keluskar, who used to play for live Sangeet Nataks in Mumbai. He has since then developed his tabla playing on his own, mostly in the Khayal accompaniment and some in the Bhakti-geet and Sugam-sangeet areas. He has accompanied many renowned artists visiting from India such as Veena Sahasrabuddhe, Laxmi Shanker, Aphale-bua, Sunil Mungi, and local artists such as Tapan Bhattacharya (Chicago), Sharad Gadre (Seattle), Gopal Marathe (Los Angeles), etc.


Makarand Gadre

Makarand is a technology professional, who lives in Redmond, and is an accomplished harmonium player. He is largely self-taught as to harmonium technique, and accompanied his uncle Late Dr. Sharad Gadre while getting guidance on the finer points of raga characteristics and dynamics. He has accompanied local as well as visiting artists in Seattle.

Tuesday, October 4, 2011

Gaurav Chanda singing in Asha Diwali Concert 2011

Due to some technical issues, we could not get Vibhuti's performance recorded. Here are some clips from Gaurav's performance.

Bilaskhani Todi


Alaiyya Bilawal