The Melodies of Folk Culture, the Legacy of a People’s Bard: Grand Organization of the 16th ‘Lokshahir Vitthal Umap’ Memorial Music Festival!
Some voices never fade into the background of time; instead, they echo through the hearts of generations. Lokshahir Vitthal Umap was precisely such an immortal personality! With his powerful voice and unwavering dedication to folk art, he deeply enriched Maharashtra’s cultural tradition. Though he is no longer physically with us, his songs and artistic legacy remain alive in the memories of art lovers everywhere. Vitthal Umap’s contribution, bridging society through folk music, remains invaluable to Marathi audiences. Seamlessly blending folk art, folk music, and social awareness into his artistic expressions, Lokshahir Vitthal Umap made monumental contributions to Maharashtra’s cultural landscape.
Honored with the prestigious Sangeet Natak Akademi National Award, this veteran bard enriched the folk tradition through his unique singing style. To pay a musical tribute to these timeless memories on his 16th death anniversary, the 16th Lokshahir Vitthal Umap Memorial Music Festival has been organized. During this same ceremony, the Vitthal Umap Foundation’s ‘Mridgandh Awards’ will be distributed on November 26 at Gadkari Rangayatan, Thane, starting at 6:00 PM. Audiences are eagerly anticipating which luminaries will be honored this year for their valuable contributions across various fields of society. This event, celebrating folk art while preserving the memory of Vitthal Umap, promises to be exceptionally special.
Nandesh Umap shared, “My father’s memory is not just a recollection for me; it is an inseparable part of my life and art. Carrying forward the place he carved in people’s hearts through his voice is a matter of immense pride for me. Even though he is not with me today, his songs, his thoughts, and his love for folk art inspire me at every step. While paying tribute to Baba through the Vitthal Umap Memorial Music Festival, my only underlying emotion is that the folk art he preserved should continue to live on and reach the younger generation. The ‘Mridgandh Awards’ provide an emotional opportunity for me to carry forward Baba’s mission by honoring individuals who work selflessly for society.”
Established in 2012, the Vitthal Umap Foundation has served as a pillar of support for numerous needy individuals over the years. Upholding the heritage of social service alongside folk art, Nandesh Umap has tirelessly advanced the mission of Lokshahir Vitthal Umap.
Past recipients of the Mridgandh Award include eminent personalities such as Padma Shri Shahir Sable (Lifetime Achievement), N. D. Mahanor, Ashok Patki, Sulochana Chavan, Manjiri Deo, Jayant Pawar, Pandurang Ghotkar, Subodh Bhave, Rajaram Jamsandekar, Vikram Gokhale (Lifetime Achievement), Padma Shri Dr. Abhay Bang, Dr. Nagnath Kodhapalle, Dr. Nilesh Sable, Shakuntala Nagarkar, Amit Raj, Madhumangesh Karnik (Lifetime Achievement), Vasant Awsarikar, Aishwarya Narkar, Avinash Narkar, Achyut Thakur, Jyoti Mhapsekar, Harendra Jadhav, Premanand Gajvee, Prashant Damle, Ashok Vayangankar, Prajakta Koli, Ravindra Bhilari, Maya Jadhav (Lifetime Achievement), Jayant Sawarkar (Lifetime Achievement), Dr. Vijaya Wad, Uttar Kelkar, Om Raut, Satyapal Maharaj, Rajesh Tope, F. M. Shinde (Lifetime Achievement), Padma Shri Dr. Ravindra Kolhe and Padma Shri Smt. Padma Kolhe, Sanjay Mone, Sukanya Mone, Ravindra Sathe, Kamalbai Shinde, Shreya Bugde, veteran actor Dilip Prabhavalkar (Lifetime Achievement), Sudesh Bhosle, Atambar Shirdhonkar, Sumit Raghavan, Chinmayee Sumit, Ketaki Mategaonkar, veteran ghazal maestro Shri. Bhimrao Panchale (Lifetime Achievement), Shahir Rajendra Raut, Pradeep Shinde, Jaywant Wadkar, Paresh Mokashi, Madhugandha Kulkarni, and Rinku Rajguru.
By Keerti Kadam