SHODASHEEYA SANGEETA SAMAROH | VEDANADA PRATISHTANA
(Jan 2016, held at Sagara, Shimoga, Karnataka)
Vid. Sawani Shende :
Sawani is born in a musically rich family. She was introduced to Indian Classical Music at a tender age of only six by her grandmother, Smt.Kusum Shende , herself a noted singer of the Kirana Gharana and an honoured artist of the Sangeet Natak Era. Sawani’s father, Dr.Sanjeev Shende, a disciple of Smt.Shobha Gurtu, has groomed her in semi classical genres like Thumri, Dadra, Kajri, etc.
Quest for more and more knowledge in music brought Sawani to learn more music under the expert guidance of Dr. Smt.Veena Sahasrabuddhe, a noted classical vocalist from Gwalior Gharana.
Sawani made her first debut at the age of 10 to celebrate her grandmother’s 61st birthday. The journey of concerts started when Sawani was invited to perform at the prestigious Pt.Vishnu Digambar Jayanti Samaroh in Delhi when she was just 13.
On the same day, in the evevning, Sawani was honoured when she performed for the then President of India, honourable, Mr. R.Venkatraman at the Rashtrapati Bhavan.Since then she has never looked back.
Sawani’s music is a beautiful soul searching combination of the Kirana and the Gwalior Gharana, where she mesmerizes audiences with enchanting melody and strength of both. Sawani’s confidence and mastery in Khayals, her crystal clear diction and overall sensitivity in presentation takes every performance to a very high aesthetic level.
Her rendition of semi-classical genres highlights the emotive and expressive quality of Indian classical music and adds a very important dimension to her performance leaving audiences spellbound.
Pt. Udayraj Karpoor :
Udayraj Karpoor is an Indian tabla player who is active in both traditional South Indian music and world music.
He Started With His Tabla Training By T. Gangadhar And Sheshadri Gawai. He then studied carnatic music with Anoor Ananthakrishna Sharma and eventually became a student of Suresh Talwalkar and Ravindra Yavagal.
He graduated from the University of Kharghar with a Masters degree in Tabla and won a gold medal. He performed at festivals in India with musicians such as Gangubai Hangal, Dinkar Kaikini, KG Ginde, Yeshwantbua Joshi and Rashid Khan. International tours have taken him to the USA, Germany, Holland, Austria, Belgium, Switzerland, Dubai and China. He is a member of the Dutch world music group Bhedam, which performed at the Karnatic Lab Festival in Bimhuis in Amsterdam. In 2002 and 2003, they toured India, producing the album Rickshaw Chase. With the sarod player Rajeev Taranath he recorded the album Reflections Around Noon.
He was also active as a film musician, appearing on Indian state television and private broadcasters such as AIR Dharwad, Star Plus and ETV. At the Mallya Aditi International School (MAIS) he teaches mathematics with a background in ragas and talas in Hindustan and Carnatic classical music.
Pt. Ashwin Walawalkar :
Ashwin walawalkar was born into a family of musicians. His Father Pt. Shriram Walawalkar was a Vocalist & Mother Smt. Prabha is also an artist. Growing up in such a musical family, Ashwin first started learning Harmonium. Later began his training in Santoor. Ashwin started his musical training from his Father Guru Pt. Shriram Walawalkar. He imbibed the nuances & the playing techniques of Harmonium. Pt. Shriram Ji took immense care to hone the talent of Ashwin & the rigorous thaleem is very evident in his music today. Now days he is under able guidence of Ustad Shafiq Khan and Padmashree Pt. Satishji Vyas . Ashwin has taken advanced training in the Western Classical Music from the well-known western maestro Mr. Adakar from Pune. Ashwin is a Commerce Graduate from Karanataka University Dharwad.
Performances:
Ashwin began performing at the tender age of six & has a meteoric rise in popularity as Harmonium solo and accompanying artist. He has toured successfully for concerts across India & abroad with leading artists, such as Pt. Madhav Gudi, Pt. Ajay Pohankar, Vidushi Arati Anklikar Tikekar, Pt. M. Venkateshkumar, Pt.Jaitirth Mevundi, Pt. Kaivalyakumar Gurav, Pt. Raghunandan Panshikar, Pt. Shivanand Patil, Shri Vijay Koparkar. Smt. Jayashree Patnekar, Smt. Kalpana Zokarkar, Smt. Rajyashri Ghosh and so on.
He has given several Santoor concerts at Mumbai, Pune, Trivendram, Bangalore, Chandigar & has toured Mauritius and South Africa.
He is B High Grade Artist (Santoor and Harmonium) regular performer of AIR, Doordarshan and many other Pvt. Kannada Channels.
His versatility has enabled him to accompany on Harmonium for classical albums & work as a Music Director for several non-Filmy Album and Devotional Albums.
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