Hon’ble Governor of Himachal Pradesh Smt. Prabha Rao will preside over the concluding function of the Pune Festival at Ganesh Kala Kirda Rangmanch on Sept. 10^th.

Pune Festival is organised jointly by - Pune Festival committee, Pune citizens, Tourism department - Government of India and Maharashtra Tourism Development Corporation.

The Title Sponsorer of Pune Festival 2008 is Idea Cellular ltd. and Dodsal Ltd is co- sponsor.

The Ganesh idol of the festival will be installed at the Hotel Saras, Nehru Stadium, on Sept 3, at 10.00 am.

The inaugural ceremony is marked by special awards to eminent personalities from different fields. Named as the ‘Pune Festival’ award, these are given away on the basis of their outstanding work done by the distinguished personalities from the society. This year’s recipients will be noted film actor Nilu Phule, Wrestler of former Olympian and Rustum – E- Hind title holder Harishchandra Birajdar & Saina Nehwal ,Quarter Finalist in Badminton in Bejiing Olympic 2008.

Like every year, this year’s inaugural ceremony is going to be a spectacular affair. Shehnai recital by Daithankar and group, Ganesh Vandana by renowned danseuse Yogini Gandhi and singer Devaki Pandit, ‘Ganesh parampara’ - a unique presentation on journey of Ganesh Utsav from Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Era - Peshwai - Lokamanya Tilak period and the present day Pune Festival, by 100 artists troupe coordinated by Sunil Mahajan, traditional ganapati aarati, The ‘Colours of India’ – a dance show choreographed by Nikita Moghe and presented by Sharwari Jamenis, Sonali Kulkarni, Aditi Bhagwat, Pushkar Jog, Subhodh Bhave, Manasi Pilankar, Abhyang Kuvalekar, Saksham Kulkarni.,, A medley fusion programme by Malaika Arora and associates, and ‘Jai Hind’ – AV by Durga Jasraj, Art & Artist Perfumed by various renowned vocalists - These are a few highlights of the inaugural ceremony.

Amrita Thapar, Ex Miss India and Sudhir Gadgil will compare the show.

The programmes at the Ganesh Kala Krida Manch are going to be a unique confluence of dance and music. Taalchitra (Vibjyor) is a presentation by different musicians and dancers including Rahul Chaurasia (flute), Ranjit Barot (percussion), Shaunaq Abhisheki (vocal), Pandit Vijay Ghate (Tabla), Shridhar Parthasarthi (mridangam), Atul Raninga (Key board).

“Taalchitra” will be followed by ‘Piya Bawari’ – a musical jugalbandi by vocalist Pandit Ajay Pohankar and his son Abhijit Pohankar.

Actor- danseuse Hema Malini always performs her debut Ballet at Pune Festival. This year she will present ‘Rukmini Parinay” ballet with her troups. In 20 years she has performed about 14 Ballet and Ganesh Vandana in Pune Festival. She is Patron of Pune Festival too.

The very famous show that has caught Maharshtra’s fancy, ‘Marathi Bana’, presented by Producer – Director Ashok Hande, is included in this year’s Pune Festival. Popular singer Daler Mehendi and his group will keep the audience riveted by their permanence

A Hindi Haasya Kavi Sammelan will be presented by senior poet Subhash Kabra this year. Poets like Pravin Chaube (Gwalior), Dr. Virendra (Pune), Navneet (Mumbai), Mahesh Dubey (Benares), Vinoo Mahendra (Mumbai), Prakash Paplu (Mumbai), Rajendra Malaviya (Itarasi), Krishna sharma (Akola) will participate in this event. .

The Malayali Federation, Pune will organize a Kerala Mahostav at the Bal Gandharva Rang Mandir. A photography exhibition by Santosh Potdar on the nineteen year history of Pune Festival will also be part of the Festival.

Other interesting cultural items like a ballet by senior danseuse Shovana Narayan and her troupe, famous dancer Dr. Ilyana Citaristi’s Odissi recital, prominent dancer Soniya Parchure’s Katthak, Odissi dance by Ramindra Khurana & Indradhanu etc. are the major attractions at Balgandharv.

The current theatre sensation, marathi drama ‘Ae Bhau Doka Nako Khau’, directed by Sanjay Pawar and scripted by Abhay Paranjape will also be performed in the Festival. Atul Parchure, is in the lead role in this drama.

Balgandharva Rang Mandir will also host special Marathi programmes like a Hasya Kavi sammelan, a one act comidies plays, hasya bhushan competitions.

Ramdas Phutane will present the famous Marathi show “Hasyadhara”, the humorous poetic meet. Noted poets like F.M. Shinde, Prakash More, Prakash Pathare, Suresh shinde, Prakash Ghadge, Sahebrao Khandge, Tukaram Dhande, Vijay Avhad, Anuradha Nerurkar, Bhagwan Deshmukh will participate in the programme.

Pune Festival felicitates the significant contribution of a Marathi poet every year with an award. This year’s the award will be presented to senior poet Ashok Naygaonkar
The Hasayadan Foundation has orgainsed ‘Hasyotsav Ekpatrincha’ a special programme. Makrand Tillu, Banda Joshi, Dilip Halyal, Santosh Chordiya, Swati Suranglikar, Mahesh Ganpule are some of the professional mono act performers who will perform in the programme. Like last year, there is going to be a ‘Hasyabhushan’ competition organized by the mono act actor’s association. City’s prominent mono act artists will take part in this.

Sant Tukaram’s 400^th birth centenary celebrations are also to be observed at the Pune Festival. “Tuka Zalase Kalas”, a special programme is organized. A programme live with wari, palakhi, is to be presented by Narendra Chiplunkar and associates. “Best Of Indradhanu”, a programme with last year’s and current year’s winners of the Indradhanu competition will be presented comprising of upcoming local artists.

In Saptarang – Classical vocal by Hemang Mehta along with “All Ballet ” presented by Anu Sinha & Troupe. Senior flautist Pandit Arvind Gajendragadkar’s Flute recital, Pandit Rajshekhar Mansur’s disciple Priyadarshini Kulkarni (Classical Vocal) etc. The programme will be held at the Yashwantrao Chavan Natyagriha. “Sau Saravana Thase”, a Gujarati play show will also be presented. ‘Maharashtrache lene”, by Satara’s famous renowned artist Vaishali Raje – Dhadge will showcase the folk tradition of Mahrashtra. A lavani programme, “Natkhat Apsara”, will be conducted at the Ganesh Kala Krida Manch.

The special show “Jinkuya Dahi Disha” by Om Natyagandh, Mumbai will present the drama focusing the vision of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, Mahatma Phule, Savitribai Phule, Dr.Ambedkar & Chhatrapati Shahu Maharaj and will be presented at Yashwantrao Chavan Natyagriha. A Drama named “Makdache Lagna” & Geetanjali – Marathi Sugam Sangeet presented by Dr. Narendra Chiplunkar will also held at Yashwantrao Chavan Natyagriha.

Best of Indradhanu “ Tuka Zala Se Kalas” & Geetanjali Marathi Sugam Sangeet - All This Programmes are design and produce by Pune Festival.

Like every year, women’s special programmes (Mahila Mohatsav) comprising recipe contests, hair styles, flower decoration and salad decoration will be held. “Mrs. Pune Festival Queen”, a contest based on personality judgements is a special attraction here. The recipe competition will be held at the Apte Sabhagriha and the rest will be at the Balgandharva Art Gallery.

A vintage car rally as per every year will be held this year too. This will showcase cars and motorcycles in the past 100 years as also the modern ones prevalent in the 21^st century.

A Pune Festival golf cup will be held at the Yerwada Golf Club which will see participation from the ambassadors of various countries. CEOs and top brass of different companies. A Kayaking competition is also scheduled to take place at B.E.G. Course. Roll Ball Competition will be held at Kothrud organised by Maharashtra State Roll Ball Association.

A special decoration competition for the various Ganapati Mandals & Co-Operatives Societies Ganpati Mandals has been organised on different themes & offering the total prize money of Rs. 2,00,000.

Associate sponsors for Pune Festival are Bank Of Maharashtra, Reliance Industries Ltd. Raymond, Suzlon Energy Ltd., Standard Chartered Bank, National Eggs Co-Ordination Committee, Kirolskar Group, Tata Group, Bharti Vidyapeeth.