Shri. Suresh Kalmadi

President of Pune Festival

At the very outset,

I bow in reverence to Lord Ganesha,

the divine embodiment of knowledge and wisdom.

This year, we are celebrating the 37th edition of the Pune Festival—one of the country’s most prodigious and culturally resplendent spectacles. I find myself both humbled and elated to share my thoughts on this momentous occasion.

Following my retirement from the Indian Air Force as a pilot, I entered active politics. My political journey has been both eventful and fulfilling—having served as President of the Pune City Congress and later the Maharashtra Pradesh Congress Committee, four-time Member of the Rajya Sabha, three-time Member of Lok sabha from Pune and as Union Minister of State for Railways.

Parallel to this political peregrination, my foray into the domain of sports administration culminated in a 13-year-long stewardship of the Indian Olympic Association. I was privileged to represent India on the global sports stage, orchestrating epoch-defining events like the Afro-Asian Games in Hyderabad, the Commonwealth Youth Games in Pune and the Commonwealth Games in New Delhi. Across numerous cities, I have worked to nurture a sporting culture by organizing several national-level competitions.

While striving for the holistic development of Pune, I felt an equally strong desire to celebrate its identity as the cultural capital of Maharashtra. This thought gave birth to the idea of organizing a grand cultural festival for the city.

Lokmanya Tilak the jewel of Maharashtra pioneered the public Ganesh festival taking it from individual homes to the streets to unite people against colonial rule. By harnessing the evocative power of lectures, folk arts, powadas, and melas, he galvanized an awakening against colonial subjugation. Inspired by this legacy in 1989, during my tenure as Chairman of the Maharashtra Tourism Development Corporation I inaugurated the Pune Festival—a majestic cultural celebration, invoking the blessings of Lord Ganesha.

From its inception the Pune Festival has been buoyed by the unwavering support from the Punekars, the Pune Festival Committee, Citizens of pune , the Maharashtra Tourism Development Corporation.

Indeed while inaugurating a festival may be a simple undertaking, sustaining its vibrancy and relevance over the years is an arduous endeavour—one that has been made possible only through the benevolent blessings of Lord Ganesha.

The late Bharat Ratna Pandit Bhimsen Joshi was the festival’s patron during its early years. Following him the renowned dancer, actress, and Member of Parliament, Hema Malini has been serving as the festival’s esteemed patron.

The vision behind organizing the Pune Festival was multi-fold:

  • To foster national and regional integration through a cultural platform like the Pune Festival;
  • To nurture religious harmony and community bonding;
  • To boost tourism;
  • To provide a rightful stage for budding and emerging young artists from Pune;
  • To offer women artists a special platform through dedicated women-centric festivals;
  • And to position Pune prominently on the global cultural and tourism map.

It is with profound satisfaction that I observe these objectives coming to vibrant fruition year after year.

Now in its 37th year, the Pune Festival has blossomed into one of India’s foremost cultural celebrations, spanning a grand ten-day calendar. Thanks to this festival Punekars get the rare opportunity to witness and enjoy performances by artists of both national and international renown—all completely free of charge for the audience.

Inspired by the Pune Festival, many similar cultural festivals have emerged across the country. This is why the Pune Festival is often hailed as the “Mother of All Festivals.”

Our stage has witnessed the ethereal artistry of performers from across the globe—from the sinuous grace of Italian danseuse Sisterya to the brilliant Chinese acrobats. Today, the second generation of artists is also making its mark at the Pune Festival, carrying forward the legacy.

Doordarshan has broadcasted our grand inaugural ceremonies live, ensuring the Pune Festival reaches audiences across the length and breadth of India.

Over the years, more than 50 ambassadors from different countries and countless travel writers have visited Pune during the festival. This has not only brought Pune global recognition but has also firmly etched its name on the world’s cultural and tourism map.

With the continued blessings of Lord Ganesha, the Pune Festival marches ahead with renewed energy and enthusiasm. I am confident that this journey will continue to flourish in the years to come.

As President of the Pune Festival, I express my heartfelt gratitude to each one of you for your unwavering support. Thank you.

Ganpati Bappa Morya!