The name Navratri is never imagined without Atul Purohit. Yes, the name is so much linked with the grand festival of Gujarat. We all know that the Navratri festival is celebrated in myriad ways across India by all the Hindus, but the celebrations seen in other eastern states of West Bengal is entirely different.
Here, this occasion is celebrated as the triumph of goddess (Ma Durga) over the evil (demon Mahishasura). But, coming to western state of Gujarat, it is a nine-day carnival, with the city full of glowing lights, scintillating dance performances with grooving music. These dance performances are popular folk dance of Gujarat.
Garba is one of the highlighted of the celebrations enjoyed amongst Gujaratis. It is the most colorful form of dance. This colorful form of dance is then madly celebrated by the people in the city Vadodra in Gujarat. The only reason that makes them mad and wait whole year is the man behind it- Shri Atul Purohit!!
Yes, this man is magical in his own ways by way he has contributed to the Gujarati folk music. Atul Purohit is a living legend, when it comes to Gujarati folk music. Also, he is very famous for his Sundarkand and devotional songs. He is a renowned classical singer, and most prominent as a Gujarati Folk (Garba) singer. The voice itself makes people come out the stands and dance to the tune of it.
There are some of his Garba tracks which makes people go like crazy and it is seen that they shout their heart out with the joy and enjoy while performing the Garba. For instance, “Tara vina Shyam”, “ke hove hove”, “maa taro garbo”, and “Vhalamni Vaat kai” are some of his classical melodies that can never go out of fashion.
Discussing about some of his background, Shri Atul Purohit was born on 27 February 1957 in a small village called “DHOLAR” near Dabhoi in Gujarat. It is said that, right from his early childhood he loved singing and had huge passion for music. He had his first harmonium, when he turned 10 year old and started learning it by own.
Then after, in order to recognize his sole talent, he came to Vadodara city, and joined music collage for dramatics. In the beginning stages, he started performing in Local Street along with the local artist for free of charge. One would anyways realize it that his music genes are Garba, Bhajans, Sugam Sangeet and his influences are Folk, Sugam Sangeet, Sufi, Hindustani classical and Bhajans.
He then moved ahead with this talent and later in 1983 he established his own group, known as “Rishabh” along with his 5 friends. He then started touching sky and people started adoring him like anything. His bejeweled talent made history by his very famous track “Tara Vina Shyam”. His very own album ““Tara Vina Shyam” made him world famous Garba singer. Later, in the year 1992, he establish yet another group called “The Rutambara Group”.
“The Rutambara Group” is one of the major attractions of United Way of Baroda. The Rutambara Group has been singing for United Way for last 20 years now. The united way of Baroda is basically the organizers of Garba Mohotsav. The Unite way of Baroda claims to have largest gathering of the people at its venue during Navratri.
All these is only because of the one person, Shri Atul bhai Purohit, who has remarkably contributed so much to the City Vadodra as well as Gujarati culture which never seems to end. The people of every age enjoy his music and his garba tracks. Not just this, Shri Atul Purohit has also achieved Gujarat Gaurav Puruskaar. This man is not just famous in Vadodra, but almost all Gujarati residing outside India never miss the chance to tap their feet on the tune of his music. Shri Atul Purohit performs in major countries like London, Australia, NZ, US and Canada and spread joy all over the world each year.
Anything said is less for this man. In the nutshell it would only indicate that Atul Purohit is another word for Navartri for people residing in Vadodra.
