Kothrud Surotsav 2025: Pune's Cultural Extravaganza Captivates Audiences

On October 18-19, 2025, the Kothrud Surotsav, a two-day cultural festival, celebrated the vibrant confluence of Maharashtra's folk traditions and Hindustani classical music. The event, organized by former corporator Harshali Dinesh Mathawad, took place at the Ideal Colony Ground in Kothrud, Pune, and drew an enthusiastic response from the local residents.

The festival opened with 'The Folk Aakhyan', a powerful theatrical-musical presentation that showcased Maharashtra's living folk traditions. The performance traced the state's rich socio-cultural journey, from the saint poets Dnyaneshwar, Tukaram, and Namdev to the eras of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, the Peshwas, the freedom struggle, and the Samyukta Maharashtra movement. Artists representing various folk forms, such as Vasudev, Gondhali, Shahiri, Dashavatari, and Bahurupi, brought these stories to life with traditional instruments.

The second evening featured a spellbinding performance by noted vocalist Rahul Deshpande and his ensemble, Rahul Deshpande Collective. Known for his mastery of both classical and light music, Deshpande began his concert with soulful tributes to Lord Ganesha before moving into a series of Hindi and Marathi melodies.

In a symbolic moment, State Higher and Technical Education Minister Chandrakant Patil honored Shahir Chandrakant, a performer who sang a powada on Shivaji Maharaj's coronation, by gifting him his wristwatch as a mark of appreciation.

The Kothrud Surotsav 2025 reaffirmed the area's enduring bond with music, art, and Marathi cultural heritage, captivating the audience with its vibrant celebration of Pune's rich cultural spirit.