In the serene St. Estevem island of Tiswadi taluka, surrounded by the Mandovi River, lies the small village of Akhada, where Rajendra Phadte celebrated his fifty years on the musical Marathi theatre of Goa in the Marathi play written by Vidyadhar Gokhale, Mandarmala. Mandarmala, a Marathi musical drama, showcases the multifaceted talents of musical maestro, Mandar. Akhada, a beautiful island for more than 200 years, has given Goa luminaries excelling in the musical Marathi theatre of the area. Among them, late Narsinh Phadte, as the musician and artist of the highest degree, had scaled the summit. His contribution to the musical Marathi theatre left an immense impression. After his death, all three of his sons have continuously played a significant role in the musical Marathi theatre. Among them, Rajendra Phadte, for a period of half a century, has excelled as an artist of the highest calibre.
Beginning his career on the local stage of Akhada island in 1975, in the Marathi play Nekjat Maratha as a child artist, on April 24, he celebrated 50 years of illustrious presence on the Marathi musical stage, erected in front of Shri Pandurang temple, along with members of three generations of his family and other local artists. As an artist of the Bhajan tradition, musical Marathi theatre, and folk music performance, he has earned name and fame in Goa. He has participated as an artist in various Marathi musical dramas not only in Goa but also in various parts of Maharashtra and Karnataka, and has also performed in Delhi. Not only he, but his entire family is involved in performances of Marathi musical dramas, including the families of his brothers. Working as the Programme Executive at Doordarshan Kendra of Goa, Mumbai and other places, he has developed close ties with numerous artists of Goa. As he wants the Bhajan tradition to continue, he has conducted classes to impart knowledge and skills in recitation, singing, and music composition of this art for the last two decades in various parts of Goa. Charging minimum fees to meet the expenditure for facilitating the performance of Marathi musical dramas, he is efficiently serving with an intense degree of devotion and dedication for the enrichment of the art, making an inspiring contribution.
On the occasion of completing 50 years in theatrical performances, he was felicitated at the hands of the well-known Bhajan artist, Mohandas Pole, in the presence of environmental activist Rajendra Kerkar and journalist-cum-teacher, Vithoba Bagli.
