Jare Udaja re Panchhi : Apoorva Bhatt

Apoorva Bhatt played this song in Kamati Baug, Vadodara.
He prefers to play 12 hole chromatic harmonica in scale C.
I remember my first meeting with Apoorva Bhatt, I had just started learning to play harmonica from Paresh Bhatia. One evening he told me that a harmonica group was invited in Ahmedabad and i must attend the show as he was to fly to Dubai.
I reached the venue one hour earlier with my collection of harmonicas.
I was introduced to all the players by Amjadbhai and then suddenly Apoorva Bhatt came to me looking at the collection softly asked ' very nice , now let us hear you play ', and i took out one tiny Marine Band Delux and started playing ' maine tere liye hi saat rang ke ' which i had recently learnt. The moment i finished the first stanza he stopped me and started playing the interlude music. That time I noticed two things, one he was playing some different instrument than mine and secondly his style of play.
I asked him to show his harmonica and that was 12 hole super chromonica 270.
I took the complete video of the programme as i was asked to sit in the first raw, and after the programme got over i went to him to get some tips. He gave me his visiting card and said ' come to Baroda for the whole day ' that's all....
Then after a couple of days he called me and asked if i could share the video of that programme with him, and also gave me a hint that Holi was after two days. And i was in Baroda on Holi.
we spent the whole day together with Amjadbhai, Rupesh and one little girl who plays Tadap Tadap song. I was trained to play Chords, Octave, Whamping etc. That day I had my first Chromatic harmonicas. I was given super chromonica 270 and 280.
I had mentioned this incidence in the yahoo group, thanking all the Baroda players.
Today not a single day goes without talking.
Only fortunate people get a friend like Apoorva Bhatt.

Jaane Kaisa Hai Mera Diwana

I am learning single notes playing from Manohar Vaidya, the maestro who plays any tune with perfection and minutest details on the harmonica. Till I heard him play, I was under the illusion that I could play good harmonica. But, I was hiding behind chords and vamping to shield my flaws. Once I started playing in single notes, I realized how difficult it is to take out any tune with perfection. One needs to not just completely internalize the tune but reproduce it on the harmonica. Here I have ventured to play a number from the film Aansu Ban Gaye Phool. Please comment on it so that I can improve. You need to click on the the first line of the song under the small icon given below to be able to listen to it.

jaane kaisa hai me...

Gaadi Bula Rahi Hai : Apoorva Bhatt

People in Vadodara say That,Textile engineer Apoorva Bhatt got his first harmonica in the cradle !!!
Inspired by his father who used to play flute then, started playing harmonica at a very tender age, has trained more than a dozen professional players.
He played Gaadi Bula Rahi Hai in Ahmedabad, normally Rupesh whistels on harmonica for him but due to certain unavoidable circumstances he could not join the group and Amjadbhai performed without any practice.
This video gives the proper introduction of Apoorva Bhatt's calibre.

Chandrashekhar Khare: Lost Gem Found

Yesterday was a day of pleasant surprises, thanks to the google chat link on our Blog. I got to chat with a couple of harmonica lovers. One was Chandrashekhar Khare. I had heard so much about him from Apoorva Bhatt and Tapan Bhatt. We had a brief exchange over the chat window and, then suddenly the Internet connection was lost, before I could ask for his contact details. However, I was filled with joy on receiving an email from him today. I was overwhelmed. I called him up to seek his permission to put up his email on the blog. He was kind to have allowed me. Here it is:

Dear Nachiketa ji,

It was a pleasure talking to you on chat yesterday. I was thrilled to no extents.

I am actually preparing a few song recordings on my harmonica with the help of my mobile phone. However,due to lack of practice of years, I am unable to get the kind of finish that I expect from myself. So it sounds very amateurish.Hence I am taking some more time to send my recordings. Request you to bear with me. Please do not think that I am acting pricey or something ( just in case you felt this way). I am a learner of this fine art which is a gift of Maa Saraswati to all of us.

I feel really happy the way Blogspot page for the Harmonica Club of Gujarat is shaping up. It is only and only because of your rich experience in Journalism that it has the fine look that we see. The presentation of blog page is really nice and the language is great. It is like going through articles from any good national level newspaper. With a person like you around, it has to be that way !! Hats off to you !!

I was introduced to Apurva Bhai sometime in 1994-95 during my stay at Baroda. In fact I used to go to meet Late Shri Sarag Fadnis, himself a great harmonica player, where I first got to meet Apurva Bhai. Till then I used to play a chinese Chromatic instrument called "Lark".Then I got my first Super Chromonica through Shri Fadnis. I still play the same along with my 64X chromonica which I purchased much later in year 2000/2001. It was only this year that I came to know about the sad demise of Shri Fadnis that happened a few years back. I remember that Shri Fadnis had got a few recordings done in a professional studio in Baroda. In case those are still available with his family, I suggest they can also be put in the blog as a tribute.Apurva Bhai may be able help in this regards as they both stayed in the same area in Baroda.

Apurva Bhai, as you know is a brilliant artiste. I became an instant fan upon meeting him. More importantly, he broke one myth that I believed in. I used to think that Gujaratis can not be good musicians. For them only money is music. But he shattered that myth and I now believe that Gujaratis can do whatever they set their eyes on !!!!

Mr Prabhakar Bhatt Bhatt was in same company ( DDE-ORG Systems) in Baroda where I used to work earlier. For an year or so we didn't know each other. But through a common colleague, we got introduced to each other and our mutual interest in harmonica. He was the one who first took me to Shri Sarang Fadnis. And after that for the entire stay of mine in Baroda, I was in regular touch with Apurva Bhai, Sarang ji and Prabhakar ji. In October 1995, I left Baroda for a new job in Ahmedabad. Those were not the days of e-mail and mobile. So after some days, I lost touch with all of them and actually with my instrument also. Apurva bhai and I had a brief communication on letters for about an year. But then everything was lost for a long gap of about 12-13 years.

This year beginning ( perhaps) feb/March, I happened become member of a google group of my Baroda company where I saw the profile of Shri Prabhakar Bhatt Bhatt. I immediately sent him an e-mail. That is where everything started again. I got the number of Apurva Bhai from him. And Apurva Bhai,being the large hearted man that he is, immediately introduced me to countless other harmonica players almost within a week's time and still going on .... But again, destiny took a different turn and I landed in Bangalore on transfer in my present company i.e. Wipro. Only this time, I want to ensure that I never again lose touch with the wonderful people I have met !!

I was trying hard to meet Mr Tapan Bhatt before leaving Ahmedabad. But somehow it did not happen.I will not miss second chance whenever I get it !! I used to in Jodhpur Gam area since 1999 and used to go to Vastrapur from the same road where he stays. What a pity I got introduced to him so late !!

I think I will be testing your patience of reading in case I go on writing the mail beyond this point. So I will give it a break here itself and preserve something for my next mail !!

Warm regards

Chandrashekhar Khare

Project Manager - SI

HP: +91 9741498019

Magician Who Plays Mouth Organ: Ashok Bhandari

Internet has made the world very small, where you can bump into strangers as well as long lost friend. Ashok Bhandari, my classmate at Banaras Hindu University, found me one day through Orkut and scrapped me. My joy knew no bounds. We were getting in touch after more than 30 years. During these years, Ashok had become a professional magician.

(Left: P C Sorcar Right: Ashok Bhandari)

Ashok Bhandari is a recognized name in the world of magic. He feels that magic is a healthy means of entertainment so he uses a mix of magic, music and theater to make it more interesting. He wants to expose the abuse of magic so in all his shows he has a section showing how easy it is to cheat people by using magic. He likes to educate people through his shows and demonstrates how easy it is to use magic to fool people so that they cant be the victims of all the taantriks and godmans. He likes to perform for children the most to catch them and teach them very young.

Ashok bhandari is a magician of over 40 years of experience, performing over a thousand shows in India and Abroad He started performing magic at a very young age of 5 years. He has performed in almost every country in Europe including Japan, and Russia .

He has been awarded many times around the world. At the very young age of 5 he was awarded by Pt. Jawahar lal Nehru ( the prime minister of India) in the year 1962. Then at the age of 12 he was awarded by Smt Indira Gandhi in the year 1969. he was awarded by the President of India Mr B.D.Jatti at the Rashtrapati Bhawan New Delhi. He was awarded “The WONDERKING “ by the people of japan when he performed at the Japanese Hawaiian center for three continuous months non-stop.

Now he is concentrating on children and performing shows in schools also in different parts of India to promote how to be aware of the magic abuse amongst children. He is also working on a design of a small workshop to teach magic using small house hold and easy to use chemicals

The reason why I am featuring him on this blog is not just because he is my childhood friend, but because he is an excellent harmonica player. He plays harmonica during his magic shows. Here are a few clips of the numbers he has played.


1. Yaad Kiya Dil Ne Kaha Ho Tum

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2. Mere Dil E Nadan

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3. Arabian Music

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Our Heartfelt Condolence

Harmonica Club of Gujarat expresses deep sorrow over the sad demise of Mr. Amanulla Khan, father of our member Amjad khan ( Babubhai ).
He was 68 years old and is survived by his wife, two sons and two daughters.
May the Almighty give strength to the family to withstand the bereavement.
May his soul rest in peace.

Dosti Dash ke Saath : Dash

Dash does not require any introduction. His harmonica speaks on his behalf.
Heading from orissa is now settled in vadodara owns a studio, plays harmonica since childhood.
He is very good in playing chords and octaves.
All of you will love his style of playing harmonics.. very smooth....
When he was serving in Indian Army, he found his harmonica as the best companion.
pl watch his video.

Mouth organ/ Harmonicas for sale : Amjadbhai Pathan

Dear Harmonica lovers,
I have 100 pcs of Tower brand Chromatic Harmonicas for sale. Basic price is Rs 140 + freight.
Pl contact on 09327235096.
Amjad pathan
( Babubhai, Vadodara )

Some of my videos

Yeh Dil Na Hota Bechara



Tumhe Yaad Hoga Kabhi Hum Mile The


O Neend Na Mujhko Aaye


Tum Mile Raah Mein


Phoolon Ke Rang Se

jab we met we were school going kids : Kiranbhai and Dr. Khandwala

They were school going kids when they met for the first time. Kiranbhai went to US and today he is in the computer business. Dr. Nareshbhai Khandwala became an orthopaedic surgeon. Totally different fields for both of them but one thing is still alive with them since their childhood and that is Passion for Harmonica.
Harmonica club of Gujarat is proud to have both of them as senior members.
All the members of harmonica club of Gujarat thank Dr. Khandwala for his sincere efforts in managing the entire show in the Cancer Hospital.
We dedicate the Friendship day to both of them.
Long live their friendship !! Cheers !!!!
Kiranbhai plays a song from Jab we met



Dr. Naresh Khandwala
aaye din bahar ke