Artist of the week : Most of you might already have watched all the episodes of Junagadh Artist of the Week Season 1 organized by Aapdu Junagadh in association with Bariki Jewellers. Aapdu Junagadh started this series with two intents at its core;
1.Showing the importance of our Heritage
We tried to take a majority of videos in the places of cultural and Heritage importance. The ones in which we couldn’t, we tried to portray the heritage through the work of artists.
2.Providing a platform to Artists of Junagadh
There is a lot of hidden talent in the people of Junagadh. Artist of the Week Junagadh series is our attempt to help the budding artists with a platform where they can showcase their work and let people know what they do.
In season 1 of Artist of the Week Junagadh, we selected 10 Artists of Junagadh city on the basis of their existing work through Social Media. For us, this was just a beginning and we never knew we would receive such a huge response from your end!
The whole season has been possible with the immense support of these 10 Artists, Aapdu Junagadh Team and of course YOU, the community of Aapdu Junagadh!
Here is a brief detail of each episode of Artist of the Week 2019, Season 1:
- Madhav Sangani, Singer
A versatile artist who is a Singer, Keyboardist & Music Composer, Madhav is a Sangeet Visharad in Indian Classical Music. Since 2007, he has been performing on stage professionally.
Apart from being a soulful Singer, he has also given voice-overs and background music in various Advertisements, Jingles & Short Movies. For the love of music and to give back to the society, he runs music classes, “Madhav Music Academy” and also has a band, Master’s Voice!
- Dipen Joshi, Rangoli and Painting Artist
Dipen started off with Painting and Rangoli Art in the year 1999 and did his first exhibition in 2000. His creativity and hard work paid off when in 2003, in an art exhibition organised at Bhutnath Satsang Hall, our PM Narendra Modi appreciated Dipen’s Rangoli with Shree Modi as his muse. He has also been appreciated by CM Vijay Rupani for the Rangoli of his portrait.
Apart from winning several competitions at State & National level, he has also served as a Jury for various Art Events. His painting has been featured in National Level Art Calendar. He worked as a Medical Representative for 10 years but is now running an art class, ‘Crimson – The Art Academy’ for the love of art!
- Priya Thakar, Tabla Artist
A Sangeet Visharad, Priya has a profound experience of around 12 years of playing Tabla. She has accompanied various music artists all over India for several musical events. She has won many music competitions at the state and national level.
Priya is running a music class for teaching Tabla in Junagadh – “Taalvrunda” since past 6 years. Priya has been accompanied by her own student, Rohit Hathaliya in this video.
- Saraswati Kalavrund Trust, Folk Dance
The group was started in 2008 by Shardaben Barot to showcase the rich cultural folk dancing styles of Gujarat. Her son, Gautam Shrimali took over the operations of the trust and the group has been representing Junagadh and Gujarat in various State Level & National Level events around India.
Their aim is to keep our traditional folk music and dances alive and pass it over to the next generation.
- Damini Patel, Abstract Painter
Damini had done M.Sc. IT but her heart was where colours were. Her mother has played a huge role in helping her discover her passion for Painting. What started as a hobby in 2015 resulted in a profession and she has successfully exhibited her work in various cities!
Damini is a freelance Artist and has been working with various Architects and Real Estate Developers in projects for Interior Decorations.
- Milind Gadhvi, Poet
He wrote his first poem at the age of 11! A Branch Manager in Saurashtra Gramin Bank by profession and a man with a passion for words, he has learned everything about poetry on his own. He has won several state and national level Gazal and Poetry competitions and his work have been published across multiple platforms.
Apart from performing on stage, he has also been anchoring stage shows and his work has been quoted by renowned Writers and even Moraribapu! The songs written by him have been featured in the movie Saheb and his work made Bollywood debut in the movie 706.
- Ravi Bhatt, Guitarist
Famously known by the name Guitar Guru of Junagadh, Ravi has been playing the guitar for 14 years now. He runs a music class known as Symphony Guitar Class in Junagadh.
He has learned under the tutelage of R.D. Burman’s lead guitarist Ramesh Ayyer and has also performed with many renowned artists.
- Raj Koradiya, Sketch Artist
Raj made his first drawing when he was just a 5-year old infant! He still has his drawings from those days. Not only painting but Raj is a wonderful Rangoli & Sketch Artist and is pursuing his Degree in Architecture to learn and shape his artistic spirit.
He has been felicitated by Shree Narendra Modi in 2010 for his work. Having represented GTU in the West Zone Youth Festival, Raj has bagged many accolades at National and State Level.
He wishes to contribute to our beautiful Kathiyawar through his Art!
- Prashant Thanki, Dancer
A Dancer and Choreographer, Prashant has been in the field of Dancing for 10 years now. He has been professionally trained under the national and international dance faculties of New Delhi.
Prashant is the founder of Evil-The Ultimate Dance Spot. He is also a Member of a Bass Crew (Delhi) from Dance Plus Season 1.
- Abhishek Joshi, Stand-up Comedian
Abhishek is a Stand-up Comedian and a Screenwriter apart from working in Banking Sector! He has been doing Comedy shows since 2013.
Abhishek is associated with LazyBusy Entertainments and is also a Host and Mimicry Artist and has performed all over Gujarat!
We started Artist of the Week in Junagadh to encourage the youth in pursuing their creative field of interests and ensuring that you can make a living out of your Hobby & Talent!
After releasing the episodes, we got a lot of requests from people about featuring their work. And owing to your requests, we will be back with Artist of the Week season 2 soon. You can enrol yourself for season 2 by sending your work portfolio or videos on aapdujunagadh@gmail.com
Know any Artist? Tell them about Artist of the Week and let them know about it in the Comment Box!
Also Read : સંત દેવીદાસ બાપુએ જાગૃત કરેલી લોકસેવાની મશાલ: પરબધામ
