The season of Navratri brings with it a unique energy of music and devotion. As Navratri 2025 unfolds, I find myself reflecting on a period of my life when I spent several years performing with orchestras, including BG’s Musical Group and others, during Navratri and other shows.
BG’s Musical Group
My first experience with orchestras was with BG’s Musical Group. Led by the respected Mr. Bhula Ghosh, this group included many of Nagpur’s senior and top artists. Even while I was studying engineering in college, it was essential for me to perform with them during Navratri, as artists were quickly booked with various groups during the season.
My first Navratri tour in 1991 remains unforgettable. We performed multiple shows throughout the festival, traveling from city to city, each day bringing its own unique experiences. I vividly remember one show that started at 1 AM and went on until 4 AM, with the crowd stretching as far as the eye could see.
During this tour, I also had the opportunity to perform with Uttara Kelkar Ji for two shows. The first was near Chhindrapur at a cement factory in Gugus, where I was asked to travel with her and look after her during the journey. We had wonderful conversations, and she appreciated my singing and blessed me. The second show was in Nagpur at the Engineers Association ground. The final show of the season took place in Parasia on the night of Dussehra, where we followed the Marathi tradition of giving gold on stage. The crowd was simply amazing.
Sunbeat Orchestra
After BG’s Group closed, I performed with Sunbeat Orchestra for about 2 years. These shows were mainly local in Nagpur and formed an important chapter in my orchestra phase.
S. Kumar & His Orchestra
After a few years, during a period when I was increasingly focusing on my personal ghazal performances, I joined S. Kumar and His Orchestra. I performed with them for several years, including Navratri and other orchestral shows.
In 2001, I also got a chance to perform a few shows with popular Hindi and Marathi film star Varsha Usgaonkar, along with S. Kumar and his orchestra, during the Navratri season. I even sang some duet songs with her, which made the experience even more memorable. That collaboration brought a special charm to the festivities and remains one of my fond memories.
MP Tour 2003
During Navratri 2003, we performed in Bhilai at the ACC Cement colony, followed by another show at an interior location in Balaghat. After one of these shows, my health deteriorated. I returned to Nagpur in a goods vehicle the next day. Upon arrival, I developed a very high fever, and my condition became serious on the night of Diwali. The doctor asked if I had traveled to MP, as Falciparum mosquitoes are found there. Thankfully, timely medical care saved me.
Focus on Ghazal Shows and Recordings
After this experience, I stopped performing regularly with orchestras and shifted my focus entirely to my personal ghazal shows and recordings. Gradually, my ghazal performances and recording work increased, becoming the central focus of my musical journey.
Navratri 2025 and the Joy of Memories
Now, as I celebrate Navratri 2025 amidst music and devotion, these memories continue to inspire me. Every show, every crowd, every performance during my orchestra days laid the foundation for my musical experiences. For me, Navratri is not just a festival—it is a celebration of music, memories, and the journey of life.
#Navratri2025 #OrchestraMemories #ShishirParkhie #GhazalJourney #NagpurMusic #MusicAndDevotion
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