[From Express India]
The Sawai Gandharva Music Festival, that was to be held in the city in December, has been postponed in the wake of scare of revival of swine flu epidemic in the city. In the 57 years’ history of the much acclaimed festival, this is the fifth time that it has to be postponed due to unavoidable circumstances, though it has never been cancelled.
The festival is generally held in the first weekend of December, but its preparation starts almost six months earlier, as around 35 artistes from across the country come to the city showcase their art.
“The swine flu epidemic was at its peak when the preparations were on for the festival. The organisers had a discussion with district collector Chandrakant Dalvi and PMC commissioner Mahesh Zagade about the situation in the city and the possibility of revival of the epidemic. Finally, the organisers decided not to take the risk as many people gather during the festival,” said the press note issued by Shrinivas Joshi and Shreekant Deshpande of Arya Sangeet Prasarak Mandal that organises the festival.
The press note also said the organisers would convey the new schedule of the festival through the media.
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