Pune to host 14th Talchakra Mahotsav on October 31 and November 1 at Ganesh Kala Krida Manch

Music lovers in Pune have two evenings of rhythm, melody and dance to look forward to. The 14th edition of the Talchakra Mahotsav will be held on Saturday, October 31, and Sunday, November 1, 2026, at the Ganesh Kala Krida Manch in Swargate. The festival is devoted entirely to percussion instruments and showcases the diversity of Indian rhythm traditions.

The festival is the brainchild of noted tabla player Padma Shri Pandit Vijay Ghate. Announcing it, he said the programme will begin at 6 pm on both days. Entry is free, on a first-come, first-served basis. The event is being held with the special support of the Puneet Balan Group.

This year's festival will bring together Indian classical music, fusion and dance. Well-known artistes from different gharanas and traditions will take the stage.

On the first day, Saturday, October 31, there will be a special session titled "Fusion 2026". It will be conceived and led by Pandit Vijay Ghate. The session will feature Sheetal Kolwalkar (Kathak), Tanmay Deochake (harmonium), Sagar Patokar (tabla), Nagesh Adgaonkar (vocals), Shikhar Naad Qureshi (djembe), Sangeet Haldipur (keyboard), Ravi Chary (sitar), Sheldon D'Silva (bass guitar), Gino Banks (drums) and George Brooks (saxophone). Milind Kulkarni will anchor the session.

On the second day, Sunday, November 1, there will be three separate sessions, highlighting the art of percussion instruments and the interplay of rhythm and dance.

The first session will be a tabla solo by Pandit Sanjay Mukherjee, a noted artiste of the Farrukhabad gharana.

The second session will be a rhythmic jugalbandi between tabla and Kathak. It will feature Pandit Anindo Chatterjee, a disciple of Pandit Gyan Prakash Ghosh and an artiste of the Farrukhabad gharana; Durga Arya, a disciple of Pandit Birju Maharaj and a Kathak dancer of the Lucknow gharana; and Pandit Mukundraj Deo, a tabla player of the Banaras and Ajrara gharanas.

The festival will close with "Shiv Tandav", a special pakhawaj presentation by Krishna Salunke, a promising young percussionist from the pakhawaj tradition of Pandit Nanasaheb Panse.

With renowned masters, emerging talent and new musical experiments, the festival will once again offer audiences a distinctive experience of India's rich percussion heritage.

Entry is free. The organisers have appealed to those interested to register in advance by calling 9370830002.