Singer Mahesh Kale on celebrating Ashadi Ekadashi: Singing abhangs is my way of walking to Pandharpur, in spirit

This Sunday (July 6) marks Ashadi Ekadashi, a serious competition in Maharashtra and a big day for the Warkari sect that culminates in a pilgrimage to the Vitthal temple in Pandharpur. To mark the competition, Indian classical singer Mahesh Kale will take the stage in Mumbai and Pune as a part of his live performance collection, titled Abhangwari. Sharing how the exhibits will likely be a homage to the spirit of Ashadi Ekadashi, Mahesh says, “My live shows are woven across the concept of the pilgrimage that occurs throughout Ashadi Ekadashi. So, having the ability to do the live performance, to me, is like strolling in the direction of God, however in music. It can additionally mark a celebration of the spirit of the warkaris.” Mahesh Kale The singer participated within the stroll to Pandharpur final 12 months for the pilgrimage. Talking about it, he says, “Strolling within the wari was surreal, particularly as a result of I had travelled 30-odd hours proper earlier than I began to stroll. You normally really feel fatigued after an extended worldwide journey, however I used to be tremendous energised. That setting and vitality is difficult to elucidate. I additionally received to sing with the warkaris within the pilgrimage. That have will stick with me ceaselessly. I want I may do wari each single 12 months. Abhangwari is my approach of going to Pandharpur in spirit. Mahesh performs live shows which are excessive on devotional music from Maharashtra internationally. Sharing what drew him to abhangs and why he felt the necessity to take it past the realm of his dwelling state, the vocalist, who could be rendering abhangs like Abir Gulal, Kanada Raja Pandharicha, Sukhache Je Sukh and the Abhangwari title observe on the exhibits, shares: “I grew up in an environment the place abhangs had been part of our life. Each Thursday and Sunday, my father would take the household to a congregation of bhajan in a mandal. Therefore, identical to Indian classical music, abhang is my blissful place. So if I really feel an even bigger diaspora can discover solace and happiness in it, then why prohibit it to borders and language? That’s why I’m not simply performing in Maharashtra, but additionally in Delhi, Kolkata, Indore, Bengaluru, and Chennai. Whereas he’s wanting ahead to seeing the seasoned classical music aficionados within the viewers, he’s additionally positive that younger listeners would drop by too: “I see plenty of youth illustration in my live shows, and I’m grateful for that. After all, I get plenty of aashirvaad from the older era, however I’m additionally very excited that the youth is coming to those live shows, as a result of the extra variety of younger folks attending such exhibits, the longer the custom will likely be upheld.” Mahesh will carry out in Mumbai on July 5 at Shanmukhananda Corridor, Sion, 6.30pm onwards and in Pune on July 6 at Mahalaxmi Lawns, Karve Nagar, 6.30pm onwards.