1953 - The Beginning
Unveiling of Sawai Gandharva's Oil Portrait
On 12 September 1952, Ramchandra Ganesh Kundgolkar, known as Sawai Gandharva, passed away in Pune. Fifteen days after his death, the members of the Arya Sangeet Prasarak Mandal unveiled his oil portrait at Bhave High School, Pune. The unveiling was performed by Nagpur's music connoisseur, Shri Laxman Mahadev alias Baburao Deshmukh. On this occasion, the following artists performed:
- Dr. Vasant Shivram alias Nanasaheb Deshpande (Vocal)
- Smt. Hirabai Barodekar (Vocal)
- Smt. Gangubai Hangal (Vocal)
- Sureshbabu Mane (Vocal) – Raga Bhairav Bahar
- Pandit Bhimsen Joshi (Vocal) – Raga Todi (Composition: "Samajh Man Gorakh Dhandha")
Accompanists for the festival
- Harmonium: Shri Vitthalrao Sardeshmukh
- Harmonium: Shri Appa Jalgaonkar
- Tabla: Shri Lalji Gokhale
First Sawai Gandharva Memorial – 1953
Venue: Lakshmi Krida Mandir, Pune
(The complete list of artists from the festivals held between 1952–60 and in 1963 could not be obtained.)
- Pt. Bhimsen Joshi (Vocal) – Raga Lalit
- Dr. Nanasaheb Deshpande (Vocal) – Kais Kunwarwa Jagar Hatwa
- Shri Balasaheb Atre (Vocal) – Raga Puriya