The scenic surroundings of Wadale Lake provided the setting for a memorable celebration of music and poetry as thousands gathered in Panvel for the ninth edition of Diwali Pahat on Monday (9 November). Organised by Panvel Municipal Corporation (PMC) and sponsored by Shri Ramseth Thakur Samajik Vikas Mandal, the annual cultural programme featured playback singer Priyanka Barve and poet-lyricist Vaibhav Joshi.
The early-morning gathering brought together residents and music lovers for a programme that combined popular melodies with contemporary Marathi poetry. The tradition of Diwali Pahat, which has been observed in Panvel for nine years, once again drew a sizeable audience, with people arriving at the lakeside venue from the early hours.
Barve, whose performance was among the main attractions, took the audience through a selection of Marathi, Hindi and devotional songs. Her repertoire included ‘Tujha Magato Mi Aata’, ‘Kevha Tari Pahate’, ‘Shayad Phir Is Janam’, ‘In Aankhon Ki Masti Mein’, ‘Tujhe Chand Ke Bahane Dekhoon’, ‘Mi Tar Swamini Tujhi’, ‘Mi Dolkar Dolkar Re Dolkar Daryacha Raja’, ‘Reshmachya Reghane’ and ‘Kanada Raja Pandharicha’.
Moving between romantic melodies, popular numbers and devotional compositions, she held the audience’s attention throughout her performance. The familiar songs drew enthusiastic applause, with listeners responding to the singer’s rendition of each number.
The musical programme found an equally engaging counterpart in Joshi’s poetry. The well-known poet and lyricist presented compositions exploring life, nature, culture and devotion. His verses touched upon human emotions, personal experiences and the many facets of everyday life. Some invited reflection, while others brought a lighter, more uplifting mood to the gathering. The audience responded warmly to his presentation, adding a literary dimension to the morning’s proceedings.
The event was attended by former MP Loknete Ramseth Thakur and his wife Shakuntala Thakur; MLA Prashant Thakur, president of Shri Ramseth Thakur Samajik Vikas Mandal; and Paresh Thakur, secretary of the mandal.
Among the other dignitaries present were former Panvel municipal president and senior leader J. M. Mhatre, BJP North Raigad district president Avinash Koli, Panvel Mayor Nitin Patil, Deputy Mayor Pramila Patil, Deputy Commissioner Ganesh Shete, House Leader Adv. Prakash Binedar, former Leader of Opposition Pritam Mhatre, Standing Committee chairman Baban Mukadam, ward committee chairpersons Madhu Patil and Ajay Bahira, former city president Anil Bhagat, Jayant Pagde, former municipal president Sandeep Patil, Shiv Sena district chief Ramdas Shewale, Varsha Thakur, Archana Thakur, Women and Child Welfare Committee chairperson Mamata Mhatre, BJP city president Sumit Zunjarrao, vice-presidents Ganesh Kadu and Mayuresh Netkar, Mahila Morcha city president Ruchita Londhe and cultural cell district president Abhishek Patwardhan. Elected representatives, local leaders and other dignitaries from various fields also attended the programme.
MLA Prashant Thakur and Mayor Nitin Patil welcomed the two performers. Paresh Thakur, secretary of Shri Ramseth Thakur Samajik Vikas Mandal and corporator, delivered the vote of thanks.
With Barve’s musical repertoire and Joshi’s poetry complementing each other, the ninth edition offered audiences two distinct forms of artistic expression in one setting. The turnout also reflected the continued public interest in Panvel’s annual Diwali Pahat tradition, which has become a regular feature of the city’s cultural calendar.
