On the auspicious day of Dussehra, October 3rd, 1995, a meeting was arranged in the evening to form Sur Sangat Sanstha. This august gathering was attended by Shri Rambhau Joshi, Shri Milind Deshpande, Shri Prabhakar Deshpande, Sou Padma Deshpande, Shri Madhukar Parundekar.
It was confirmed in the meeting to form “Sur Sangat Sanstha” in memory of late Dr. Vasantrao alias Nanasaheb Deshpande. Dr. Nanasaheb along with Bharat Ratna Pt. Bhimsen Joshi and other music-lovers founded Arya Sangeet Prasarak Mandal that organized the annual Sawai Gandharv Mahotsav for decades.
Sur Sangat Sanstha is established with an objective to promote the Indian classical Vocal and Instrumental music by providing the platform for young talent. It was decided to identify and invite young musicians to present their art in a concert along with other renowned and established artists. The purpose is to encourage and motivate the upcoming talent to perform in front of classical music connoisseurs.
Shri Rambhau Joshi became the first President of Sur Sangat Sanstha. A program charter was finalized for Sur Sangat Sanstha. The main purpose is to provide the guidance for the young musicians, directly or indirectly in their grooming period. Conduct music workshops in collaboration with like-minded organizations and promote the Indian classical music amongst all age groups. It was also decided to felicitate the renowned artists and help them by providing either financial or medical help in their old age wherever possible.
So far more than 80 artists, both renowned & established and young & upcoming have performed on Sur Sangat Platform. It includes Smt. Krishna Hangal, Smt. Padma Talwalkar, Smt. Shruti Sadolikar, Smt. Padma Deshpande, Shri. Shahid Parvez, Shri. Ajay Pohankar, Shri. Ganpati Bhat, Shri. Raghunandan Panshikar, Shri. Rahul Deshpande, Shri. Shounak Abhisheki, Shri. Kaivalya Gurav, Shri. Satyasheel Deshpande, Shri. Vijay Koparkar, Shri. Vijay Bakshi, Shri. Anant Terdal, Smt. Yashaswi Sarpotdar, Smt. Rageshree Vairagkar, Smt. Pournima Dhumal, Smt. Shruti Deshpande etc. to name a few.
“Sur Sangat” Sanstha aims to promote Indian classical music by providing the platform for the young and upcoming musicians to showcase their work with vocal and instrument music. At the same time the renowned artists are also invited to present their art.
Sur Sangat Sanstha hosts 2-3 events of Indian classical music events in a year. That consists of combination of both upcoming and established artists.
Sur Sangat Sanstha has conducted a music competition for the young children in “Raga & bandish” earlier. It will continue to do so in future also. The announcement will happen through this website.
Sur Sangat Sanstha confers the “Sudha Sindhu” award for the young and upcoming Indian classical vocalists every year.