Pune-based young entrepreneur Punit Balan has been honoured with the prestigious Rasikagrani Award at the Swar Zankar Sangeet Mahotsav. The award was presented by Pt Atulkumar Upadhye, Pt Vijay Ghate and Padma Shri Hariharan.
The Swar Zankar Sangeet Mahotsav, organised in numerous cities across India, is now in its 16th year in Pune. Many luminaries from the world of music have graced the festival with their performances.
Balan was felicitated at the event by the Upadhye Violin Vidyalaya, which instituted the Rasikagrani Puraskar in memory of the Late Dajikaka Gadgil. The award includes a plaque, a memento, a shawl and a shrifal (coconut). Notable personalities such as Javed Ali, Rahul Deshpande, Rajas Upadhye and Tejas Upadhye were also present at the event.
Through his Indrani Balan Foundation, Balan has signed an MoU with the Indian Army to renovate and operate 15 closed schools owned by the Army in the Kashmir Valley. The foundation also manages schools for special children and extends support to terror-affected children and sportspersons.
In addition to this, he provides significant backing to budding athletes through the Punit Balan Group (PBG). He has installed the highest tricolour flagpole in Kashmir and continues to offer aid to needy patients, religious endeavours and various cultural festivals.
Balan serves as the festival chief and trustee of the Shrimant Bhausaheb Rangari Ganpati Trust, which pioneered the Ganeshotsav in India. During the Covid-19 pandemic, he extended support to Ganesh mandals. He was honoured at the Swar Zankar Festival for his outstanding contribution to social causes.
Speaking at the event, Balan said, "I am very happy to receive the Rasikagrani Puraskar at the Swar Zankar Music Festival. This award motivates me to continue my social work with even greater dedication. My heartfelt thanks to the organisers for selecting me for this honour."
Pt Atulkumar Upadhye added, "The Rasikagrani Award has been given to many stalwarts from the field of music and those who support the arts. While Punit Balan doesn’t work directly in the music industry, he consistently encourages music, other art forms and the Ganeshotsav. Though there are many wealthy individuals in society, few show the generosity that Balan does. This is why we chose him for this year’s award."
