Pune: A grand musical event, ‘Vandan Bharatmatela,’ featuring over 700 singers and instrumentalists, captivated thousands of attendees with its harmonious melodies and spiritual ambiance.

Organized by MIT World Peace University (WPU) and MIT Arts, Design, and Technology University (ADT), the program was held at VishwaRaj Baug in Loni Kalbhor. The event paid a musical tribute to the birth centenary of legendary filmmaker Raj Kapoor and the memory of Bharat Ratna Lata Mangeshkar.

The evening began with a mesmerizing performance on the ancient percussion instrument pakhawaj, led by Pt. Uddhavbapu Apegaonkar. The beats, dedicated to Lord Shiva and Ganapati, set the stage for a series of enthralling performances. Nearly a hundred instrumentalists performed in unison, captivating the audience with their synchronized rhythms.

Renowned tabla player Ganesh Tanawade and his team delivered a powerful performance, dedicating their act to the late Pt. Zakir Hussain. Violinist Tejas Upadhye added a soulful touch to the evening with his evocative performance, which resonated deeply with the audience.

As a tribute to Raj Kapoor, a choir performed his iconic songs, including “Sajan Re Jhooth Mat Bolo,” “Mera Joota Hai Japani,” and “Jis Desh Mein Ganga Behti Hai.” The performance also featured a dance to “Mera Joota Hai Japani.”

Students of MIT presented a dance performance dedicated to Bharat Mata to the tune of “Vande Mataram.” The evening concluded with an emotional rendition of “Ae Mere Watan Ke Logon” by over 700 artists, leaving many attendees moved to tears. The program’s finale featured bhajans and a communal Pasaydan, reflecting the institution’s deep-rooted faith in the Warkari tradition.

Prof. Dr. Vishwanath D. Karad, founder and president of MAEERS MIT, expressed his thoughts, stating, “This event symbolized Indian culture, tradition, and philosophy. It offered a profound experience of divinity and inner peace through music. The tribute to Bharat Mata brought immense spiritual fulfillment.”

The event saw the presence of eminent personalities, including industrialists Firoz and Leela Poonawalla, Yogi Amarnath, Dr. Goyal, Dr. Batra, and Vinod Shah.