Himalayan trekker’s music concert scales new ‘height’

When Solapur trekker Anand Bansode embarked on his Mount Everest expedition, little he must have realised that his musical concert on the highest peak will earn him a place in the Guinness Book of World Records on May 6.

Bansode (27), a member of the Mission Everest 2012 group, played music for more than 15 minutes at a height of 6,300 metres (20,669 feet) above the sea level.

The expedition was organised by Sagarmatha Giryarohan Sanstha of Bhosari, Pune.

Bansode told DNA, “It was my dream to play music on the highest peak. I had done it. I am very happy." He dedicated his feat to late Ramesh Gulave, a member of the group who lost his life during the expedition recently.

Bansode broke the record set by Musikkapelle Roggenzell and 10 musicians from Germany on Mt. Actango, Bolivia at the height of 6,069 metres (19,911 feet) on August 6, 2007.

Bansode had reached an agreement with the authorities of Guinness Book of Records on January 28, 2012. His concert started with the country's National Anthem followed by Bollywood numbers on his special lightweight guitar. Shrihari Tapkir, Sagar Palkar, Balaji Mane and eight sherpas attended the concert and played the choir.

As per the Guinness book guidelines, minimum 10 members should attend the concert in order to set the record. It will take at least 45 days to register this record and get the Guinness certificate.

Bansode is also planning to enter the Limca Book of Records by playing the National Anthem at the height on Camp-2.