Date:10/05/2004 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2004/05/10/stories/2004051006130300.htm

Karnataka - Belgaum

Meet on harmonium concludes

By Our Staff Correspondent

BELGAUM, MAY 9. The two-day conference on harmonium concluded here on Sunday on a positive note with harmonium players and the admirers of the instrument asserting to continue to work towards getting it recognition from the Government for solo playing. The conference featured solo recitals by young and veteran artistes such as Vasant Kanakapur and the renowned harmonium exponent, R.K. Bijapure. However, Seema Shirodkar of Mumbai was the star attraction who gave a scintillating recital on Sunday.

Vishwanath Shirodkar and Omkarnath Gulvadi from Mumbai and Santosh Puri of Belgaum provided percussion accompaniment to the soloists. On the occasion, the host organisation, Surel Sanvadini Sanvardhan, honoured Pandit Kanakapur with the Sanvadini Sadhak Puraskar in recognition of his services and contribution towards popularising harmonium and training several harmonium players in the State.