Rs 25k scholarship for Nashik classical vocalist

Nashik: Classical vocalist Rahul Deshpande on Saturday made an official announcement that a promising classical vocalist in Nashik will be given the prestigious 'Vasantotsav' scholarship of Rs 25,000 to continue research and study in the subject. The 'Vasantotsav' music festival is scheduled to be held for the first time in Nashik on February 20 and 21.
"Vasantotsav was started 30 years ago in Pune in memory of legendary classical vocalist Pt Vasantrao Deshpande. Many prominent classical vocalists and musicians made it a point to perform in this festival to pay tributes to the legend. For the last five years, we have introduced several new concepts to this music festival. The scholarship for an upcoming classical vocalist is one of these changes," said well known classical vocalist Rahul Deshpande, the grandson of Pt Vasantrao.
The scholarship of Rs 25,000 is given every year to three budding singers/instrumentalists in Pune who follow Classical Music full time. When Vasantotsav was organised in Nagpur last year, the scholarship was given to a promising classical vocalist in Nagpur. The same tradition will be followed in Nashik. However, the name of the recipient of this coveted scholarship is yet to be announced. "We will announce the name in due course of time," Rahul Deshpande said.
Meanwhile, the schedule of Nashik's maiden Vasantotsav music fest was announced on Saturday. Rahul Deshpande will perform with singer Mahesh Kale on February 20. The duo will present the songs popularised through the recent Marathi movie 'Katyar Kaljat Ghusli'. Actor and director Subodh Bhave will conduct the proceedings. On February 21, Rahul will perform in a fusion event with popular playback singer Swapnil Bandodkar. Both the performances will be held at 7 pm at Kalidas Kala Mandir.