Hemant Kumar Mahale the noted Compere and Organiser of Musical Shows speaks to FilmyTown about his journey in the Musical and Entertainment shows industry.
“I had a pleasant surprise while doing a show in Israel where we received several requests for Hindi and Marathi songs. Such is the magic of our Indian music,” begins Hemant who revealed that since his childhood he had developed interest in music though he is a BA Hons graduate and then pursued studies in law. Even during his school and college days he took active interest in acting, dancing and even as a singer himself, though he doesn’t perform now in his commercial shows, instead pushes fresh talent where ever possible.
“My first musical show was in 1979 as an organiser in Amalner Taluka, District Jalgaon and it was the first of its kind in that district which had artistes from Mumbai. There was no auditorium in that taluka during those times hence the show was held at 10 in the morning at Tamboli Talkies. It received satisfactory response; hence we then took it also to Dhulia and Jalgaon. I was working with State Bank and managed by job simultaneously with the passion of bringing music to the masses,” he excitedly recalls about his beginnings.
“Immediately after the success of these shows I purchased our own sound system while I was stationed in Aurangabad with my job at SBI during the early 1980s. I managed time in such a way that I completed Bachelor of Dramatic Degree in Aurangabad.”
“I then shifted to Mumbai in early 90s continued arranging shows, pursuing acting in Television serials and then in production too. In 2002 I was promoted as a Deputy Manager in SBI. Sometime in 2005 I decided to devote full time into my passion, hence resigned the lucrative bank job which gave me ample time and energy to begin with big shows in huge auditoriums like the Shanmukhananda Hall at Kings Circle.”
That was the biggest show ever held in India and for the first time we had over 50 musicians and I revived Violinists, Brass Section, Melody section, chorus and strings.
Hemant Kumar Mahale has arranged over 50 shows in Shanmukhananda Hall and also the distinction of pioneering a Bollywood musical show in Israel. Probably this is due to the realization of the western culture of recognition of Ragas that are even used to cure diseases. With pride, Hemant mentions that my shows always introduce new talents. “I want to encourage the immense untapped potential of talented singers across India who are unfortunate to get a platform to showcase their talent,” says a beaming Hemant who is solely credited for introducing Vaibhav Vashist (since he was a young boy) to the likes of Jayalakshmi.
Now that YouTube has honoured Hemant Kumar Mahale’s musical group which has crossed a stunning 5 crores views, he has graduated to being a Producer and Director of Marathi and Hindi films. The most notable one being his latest film, “WhatsApp Love”.
