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MUMBAI:
By the sheer enormity of the crowd present, Salaam Kolhapur was
a rousing success. The event staged at Keshav Raod Bhosle Natya
Gruh, Kolhapur saw prominent personalities of Kolhapur, namely the
first citizen of the City - the Mayor, the present scion of the
Kolhapur dynasty, educationists, industrialists, renowned artists,
among the gathering.
Salaam
Kolhapur began with the lighting of the lamp by the Great Shahu
Maharaj of Kolhapur and Mrs. Kanchan Adhikari of Mi Marathi.
The
event opened with 'Devicha Gondhal' followed by a variety entertainment
programme woven loosely around a story line. Each of the incidences
in the story line highlighted a 'Khaasiyat' or a unique aspect of
Kolhapur. It portrayed the life in Kolhapur as well as the people
of Kolhapur. A medley of dances based on famous Marathi film songs
in reference to Kolhapur went alongside dances based on Kannada,
Telegu songs as it is an inherent part of Kolhapuri culture.
A short
skit by actors Rahul Mehendale, Mrunmayee Lagu, Pushkar Shrotri
and Hrishikesh Joshi revolved around a Director from Mumbai who
lands in Kolhapur to make a movie. The skit depicted the development
of Kolhapur and it's connectivity by first class express highway.
Mi
Marathi felicitated a farmer who name has been included in the prestigious
Guinness Book of World Records for World class cultivation of Crops
and using the Best Scientific Technique in irrigation. A local wrestler
who has received numerous awards and has won Olympic Gold medal
for India was also felicitated. Unbelievable but true he was 75
years of age. A Paithani was also felicitated for his remarkable
achievement of making the turban in 90 secs. Others who were felicitated
were a Kolhapuri chappal maker, Misal - Raja Bhau, a pujari of Kolhapur
- Mahalaxmi Temple and a Solanki ice cream man among others.
In
between the felicitation were performances by various local groups.
The finale song of Salaam Kolhapur was sung by Ajay Atul and Ashok
Patki, with lyrics by Mr. Mangesh Kulkarni. The event was conceptualized
by Vinay Apte and his team.
The
theme of the event 'Salaam Kolhapur', brought out the lifestyle
of the people. However the main focus was the history, the heritage
of Kolhapur and the love of the people for their city. The culmination
of the event was surely a salute to their pride - 'Kolhapuri Asmita'.
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