Ichalkaranji - People and Culture

People and Culture

Ichalkaranji is also the well-known for cultural activities.

Pandit Balakrishnabuwa Ichalkaranjikar Pioneer of classical vocal singing in Maharashtra.
Born in 1849, Balkrishnabua received his training from Pandit Vasudeobua Joshi, who belonged to the school of Haddu-Hassu Khan. He also received his guidance from Ustad Mahmed Khan, the elder brother of the famous Rahimat Khan and eldest son of Haddu Khan.
After his training in Gwalior, Balkrishnabua came to Mumbai and the Miraj. As the climate of Miraj seemed to suit him he desired to settle down there. Balkrishnabua's fame began to draw disciples from surrounding places. His disciples included Gundubua, Vishnu Digambar Paluskar, Mirashi buwa, Anant Manohar Joshi of Aundh, Nilkanthabua Jangam, Vamanbua Chaphekar, his son Annabua Ichalkaranjikar, etc.His style of singing was pure Gwalior of Haddu Hassu Khan vintage. His contribution is remarkable in bringing the Gwalior gharana gayaki to Maharashtra and for popularising it. Pandit Balakrishnabuwa Ichalkaranjikar died in 1926 at the age of 77 years.
City has an arts school name after him 'Gayanacharya Pandit Balakrishnabuwa Ichalkaranjikar Sangeet Sadhana Mandal', which is devoted to Indian Classical Music hosts cultural programmes throughout the year which help in spreading cultural awareness amongst Society.

" 'Rajsthani festivals ' " About more than 15% population being migrated from Rajsthan, all the major festivals of Rajsthan like Gan Gour, Teej, Holi are celebrated here with great joy. The Diwali of Ichalakranji sees a cash turnover ( by sales of clothes & gift articles & pooja material )more than Rs.20 crore within last five to six days of Diwali. Other festivals like ' Ramdev Baba ki Dooj ', Ramnavami, Mahesh Navami are celebrated with large participation of all the communities. Almost from each & every village or town or city from Rajsthan at least one person is residing at Ichalakranji so this place is also called as mini Rajsthan.

Akhil Bharatiya Marathi Sahitya Sammelan

Conference for literary discussions by Marathi writers was held in Ichalkaranji in 1974.The President of this Sahitya Sammelan was Mr.Purushottam Laxman Deshpande. Popularly known by his initials पु. ल. ("Pu. La.") a legendary writer and film and stage actor, music composer, harmonium player, singer, and orator.

FIE Foundation

The FIE Foundation, a charity trust established in 1970, belongs to the 'Fie Group of Industries' in Ichalkaranji. The Chairman of the Fie Group, Shri P. D. Kulkarni, established the 'Fie Foundation' trust to recognize and reward eminent personalities and budding talents in a variety of fields. The awards are generally selected from the following fields: Engineering, Science & Technology, Humanities, Education, Agriculture, Music & Arts, Sports, Literature, Child Artist, and local talents.
The highest award conferred is the Rashtrabhushan Award. The awards are given annually in a grand ceremony held in Ichalkaranji in January or February. A few of chief guests who have graced the occasion are honorable Ex. Prime minister of India Shri. Chandrashekhar, hon'ble Ex. Chief Minister of Maharashtra Shri. Manohar Joshi, cine actor Shri Dilip Kumar, and industrialist Shri Rahul Bajaj.

Some of the 'Rashtrabhushan' awardees how visited Ichalkaranji for receiving the awards are Dr. Raja Ramanna, Ratan Tata, Lata Mangeshkar, T.N.Seshan, Brijmohan Munjal. Kamal Hassan

Medical Association

Medical Association of Ichalkaranji is a local Medico-Social service organisation of qualified & duly registered medical practitioners of all systems of medicines practising in Ichalkaranji & outskirts of Ichalkaranji. The main aim of this association is to make available medical treatment either free or at minimum cost by establishing charitable institutes like T.B. Clinic, T.B. Sanitorium, General Hospital, Adhar Kendra and to organise & develop all socio-medical activities & face local problems unitedly. So the Medical Association of Ichalkaranji came into existence in 1975. Activities of association includes, Free Counselling for underprivileged s, Elisa Testing for HIV in concessional rate, Symptomatic Treatment for opportunistic infections, Free Ante-natal ARV treatment to HIV+ve mothers & child, Free T.B. treatment to HIV+ve patients, Free Nirodh (condoms) supply and Social Awareness.