12th Dec 2015

He was born into a family of dancers. But Rajendra Gangani fortified his inborn talent with incessant learning and practice, to become one of India’s most accomplished Kathak artistes today.

Born into a family of Sanskrit scholars and classical musicians, it was not surprising when young Raghunandan started learning vocal music from Pandit Vasantrao Kulkarni. In due course he had the privilege to train under none other than Gaan Saraswati Smt. Kishori Amonkar. What’s more, Raghunandan had the rare fortune to be guided by Kishoritai’s mother, gaan Tapaswini Late. Smt. Mogubai Kurdikar!

Bengaluru based vocalist Smt. Bharati Prathap was initiated into Carnatic music in her childhood. She later moved on to Hindusthani Classical singing at the behest of her uncle. She trained with Late Pandit Marutrao Inamdar and Late Pandit Rama Rao Naik before she met Vidushi Lalit Rao, renowned exponent of the Agra-Atrauli gharana. Over the last 15 years she has been under intensive training from the Vidushi.

Born in a family of musicians, music is a divine blessing to Pravin. He hails from Dharwad, a place which has given to the world many great musicians like PtBhimsen Joshi, Gangubai Hangal andPt Kumar Gandharva.

Pravin started toying with a small flute at the tender age of 3 and since then it has been his best companion.
His father has taught him BANSURI in KIRANA GHARAANA GAYAKI STYLE. But Pravin added the GATKAARI
or TANTRAKAARI STYLE by his own efforts and succeeded in it. He is adept in both the styles.
He has been ably balancing both traditional and creative music.

In an age when maestros of the older generation express fear of the decadence of Indian musical traditions, Ulhas Kashalkar's voice and music stands like the Colossus, as it were, an eternal reminder of the strength of this great art.