Bollywood Gharana

When Sunday Evenings Turn Magical: A Night with Abhijit Pohankar’s Bollywood Gharana presented by UFO Spotlight. 

Monday morning blues don’t really begin on Monday—they creep in much earlier, often by Sunday evening. I’m sure many of you will agree that Sunday evenings are precious, meant for unwinding at home and soaking in the calm before the grind resumes.

Yet, one such Sunday evening compelled me to step out—and I’m glad it did. The reason was an event I have been witnessing for years and will continue to attend whenever possible: Abhijit Pohankar’s Bollywood Gharana. Curated with finesse for a niche audience, this unique musical concept caters to the class rather than the mass, setting it apart from the many musical shows flooding social media today.

Abhijit Pohankar, as always, left the audience spellbound with his flawless performance. His keyboard spoke volumes, expressing emotions words often fail to capture. His choice of songs—personally my favourites—resonated with the entire auditorium, which joyfully joined in crooning along to the music.

To be honest, hardcore classical music has never quite been my comfort zone. However, I have always had a deep fondness for semi-classical music from mainstream Hindi and Marathi cinema. Abhijit has masterfully struck a chord with music enthusiasts like me, while simultaneously captivating seasoned classical music lovers. His seamless fusion of Bollywood melodies with classical elements results in a breathtaking, soul-stirring experience.

The magic was further elevated by Gandhar Deshpande’s outstanding classical vocals, beautifully complemented by Bhavya Pandit. Gandhar, along with the brilliant ensemble of musicians, effortlessly transports the audience into a trance. The entire exercise is nothing short of mesmerizing.

I’ve always admired bandish, though until attending Bollywood Gharana, I wasn’t even aware that these compositions were formally called so. Abhijit has an exceptional ability to connect with his audience throughout the concert. He needs no anchor—he is a natural communicator. By explaining the classical and technical nuances involved, he makes the concert not only enjoyable and relatable but also deeply informative.

One statement by Abhijit particularly struck a chord with me: “Everybody is a singer.” There’s no need to label singing as good or bad—everyone can sing. However, playing a musical instrument requires dedicated learning and expertise. This, in my opinion, places musicians on a pedestal of immense respect. Musicians express emotions through their instruments; after all, music has a soul, felt deeply by those who understand emotion and expression. Kudos to the entire Bollywood Gharana ensemble for successfully transporting us to a different world altogether.

The icing on the cake was the presence of renowned saxophone player Mr. Raj Sodha, a former member of R.D. Burman’s legendary team—an absolute delight for music lovers.🙏🏻

All in all, this concert is not to be missed by anyone who hasn’t yet experienced Bollywood Gharana. 

Cheers and best wishes to Abhijit for yet another rocking and unforgettable evening. 🎶✨