Mar, 31: After an energetic day 1, the second day began with the same zeal at RADA, Maharashtra’s first-ever Marathi pop culture festival. Presented by BhaDiPa day 2 continued to celebrate voices from the Marathi soil creating ripples globally. From Prajakta Koli claiming her Marathi identity on a global platform to Kratex turning the venue into a rave to Avdhoot Gupte’s Jai Jai Maharashtra echoing throughout Pune and beyond, the conclusion was not a finale, but a declaration of something larger and historic to come.
The second day commenced with an energetic ensemble of Pune-based Yudi Drums Circle. Led by Yudi Baba Drumanand, it specialises in West African Djembe. It took the audience on an odyssey through the African continent and various drumming traditions, including Morbiyassa, a rhythm tradition in Malinke culture to ward off evil spirits. This unique start to a historic day ended with the audience learning an African song, offering a fully immersive experience of a foreign culture through music.
Marathi Vajlach Pahije
Opening day two with the same Hip-Hop fervour from last evening, Hruday Satam came to turn up the heat with some groovy verses and music. He started with his Hyperpop smash hit Premrog (Radha), got SAATSOTEEN for their love ballad Premika, and showed his range, blending melodic Hip-Hop with Indian classical into his hit track 590z.
Kratex’s set during RADA displayed an unapologetic Marathi pride with his call: Marathi Vajlach Pahije! From creating history in clubs globally to creating rada on the RADA stage, it was a true homecoming, making him the undisputed king of M-House music.
Followed by Shubhangi Kedar, who came for a perfectly timed reset. Currently on her Worldwide tour, Kedar is rewriting the pop rulebook with her Marathi folk fusion. She moved effortlessly from a spiritual folk track to singing the love ballad Aamcha Picture Sarkha Nahiye with a rock n’roll and jazz twist to her hit track Govyacha Knaryav twice. Kedar’s set epitomised the current global intrigue about this new era of Marathi music.
The trio of Sai Godbole, Yashraj Mukhate, and iconic folk star Nagesh Morvekar brought the house down before the final act. Sai paid tribute to her grandfather, Jaywant Kulkarni, by performing his iconic songs like Hi Chal Turu Turu and Ek Lajara Na Sajara Mukhda. After a riveting cover of Apsara Aali, she performed the hit track Din Din Diwali produced by Yashraj Mukhate, a great segue into Yashraj’s adrenalised act.
Mukhate, who became a household name for creating musical hits with iconic pop culture moments, brought his experimental mastery to BhaDiPa’s stage. He performed his hit tracks Tuada Kutta Tommy, Pawri Ho Rahi Hain, and Bing Bing Boo! before he, along with Nagesh Morvekar, pumped up the audience with RADA’s title track.
Nagesh Morvekar claimed his icon status on the stage of RADA. With his earthy and playful vocals, he made everyone bow down to his artistry as he performed Dolby Walya from Jaudya Na Balasaheb.
Maharashtra’s OG rockstar Avadhoot Gupte said that RADA marks his rebirth, ushering into a new era of performance and sonic storytelling. Gupte didn’t reclaim his title. It was never in question. He just simply readjusted the crown and delivered his best performance. From nostalgic gems like Wrong Number and Yed Lagala to evergreen classics Tujhe Dekh Ke Meri Madhubala, Rani Mazya Malyamandi, and Shitti Vajali, he made each millennial’s heart grow fonder and made Gen Z sit up and take a bow.
