The Pune Municipal Corporation has decided to present its first ‘Swarbhaskar’ award, instituted in memory of musical legend Pandit Bhimsen Joshi, to Lata Mangeshkar. City Mayor Mohansingh Rajpal, and Aba Bagul, who is the leader of the opposition party in the House, announced the decision collectively on Monday in a press conference. The award will be presented to Mangeshkar by renowned Kathak dancer Sitara Devi at a function that is to be held on Saturday.

“We did talk to Latadidi about the award and she has decided to accept tit. The award carries a memento and prize money of Rs 1, 11,161. The PMC will announce the recipient of the award every year from hereon,” Rajpal and Bagul said at a press conference.

As a prelude to the main award ceremony, the PMC has decided to organize a three-day cultural festival from Thursday. Shriniwas Joshi, Shama Bhate, and Pandit Firoz Dastur will perform on the first day. On the following day, Pandit Hridaynath Mangeshkar, Pandit Brij Narayan, and Shounak Abhishekhi will enthrall the audience with their performances. On the final award presentation day scheduled on Saturday, Arati Ankalikar Tikekar and Upendra Bhat are scheduled to perform.

Bagul also informed that the preparations for inauguration of the Pandit Bhimsen Joshi Kala Dalan situated at the Late Vasantrao Bagul garden in Sahakarnagar, are in its final stages and will be soon completed. Chief minister Prithviraj Chavan will inaugurate the art gallery on February 10, 2011.The kala dalan has been built on a 12,000 sq ft plot in the garden. The art gallery will depict the best in visual and other forms of perfoming arts.

Meanwhile, Bagul has demanded in a stern voice for the removal of the debris lying near the garden. “I have been constantly reminding the civic authorities to clean up the place in view of the renowned dignitaries expected for the inaugural function,” he added.

“I am glad that the PMC has decided to confer the coveted award to Lata Mangeshkar, She is truly a ‘Swarbhaskar’, and I hope and pray that she lives for many more years and continue to bless us with her enchanting voice,” said Pratibha Joshi, a resident of Karve Nagar, Pune.

-  Siddhartha Laik