The Navi Mumbai Municipal Corporation staged the Kala Ganesh Mahotsav at the historic Vishnudas Bhave Natyagruha in Vashi, turning the venue into a vibrant showcase of devotional music, painting, sculpture and calligraphy in celebration of Ganesh otsav.

The evening opened with a devotional musical set titled He Gajavadan…, led by composer‑singer Salil Kulkarni and vocalist Sanmita Dhapate‑Shinde. Their rendition of traditional bhajans resonated across the audience, drawing enthusiastic applause from students to senior citizens alike.

While the chants filled the hall, visual artists worked in real time. Sagar Jadhav painted a luminous portrait of Lord Ganesha on canvas, and sculptors Mayuri Thackeray and Jatin Patil began shaping a fresh idol. A calligraphic exhibition by Ashish Tambe, featuring the eight Ashtavinayak temples, added a literary layer to the festivities.

Beyond the performances, officials encouraged the public to upload photographs, videos and stories of their own Ganesh celebrations to the Bappa.org portal, a government initiative aimed at documenting the festival for possible UNESCO recognition. The event highlighted how civic support can weave together art, tradition and community participation.

View original article