Written by Ruta Patil

Before diyas are lit and faral is served, Pune ’s Diwali begins in the dark with the soulful swaras coming to life. The city’s beloved Diwali Pahat tradition will unfold this year across various morning gatherings, each distinct in mood and format yet bound by the same ritual of tradition.

At the Tilak Smarak Mandir at 6 am on Monday, October 20, curator Mandar Bapat opens the Pahat, with a bridge between gharana rigour and folk vitality, Marathi and Hindi classics alongside Bhupali, Ovi, Gondhal, Lavani, Lokgeet—voiced by Chandrashekhar Mahamuni, Radhika Atre, and Rashmi Moghe with orchestra.

“There’s something magical about Diwali Pahat, the music meeting the first sunrays; it feels like the city itself is singing,” says Chetan Desai, an engineer.

The Dr Vasan

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