ARATI KUNDALKAR
Arati is a well known artist in the younger generation of Hindustani classical music. She is one of the young torch bearers of ‘Kirana Gharana’. Arati started her initial lessons in music from veteran vocalist of Kirana Gharana, late Smt. Leelatai Gharpure, at the tender age of nine. Thereafter she pursued to learn the style in depth from the well known exponent of Kirana Gharana, Padmabhushan Dr.Prabha Atre. She has also received training under harmonium maestro and musicologist Dr. Aravind Thatte. Arati has learnt the intricacies of semi-classical music forms such as Thumari, Dadara, Ghazal from Dr.Sanjeev Shende.Bestowed with a melodious and deep soulful voice which has been groomed over the years, she has been able to present classical as well as semi classical and devotional compositions with equal intensity in all her concerts.
Arati has performed all over the country in many prestigious Music Conferences like Pt.Jitendra Abhisheki Sangeet Mahotstav,Panji-Goa, N.C.P.A. & P.L. Deshpande Foundation, Mumbai Kashi Sangeet Sabha- Varanasi etc.She has also performed abroad in Singapore.She is a rank-holder of the university and has been felicitated by many awards like the prestigious ‘Gaan-Hira’ puraskar, . Pt.Jitendra Abhisheki Yuva Puraskar Pt.Ramkrishnabuwa Vaze Yuva Gayak Puraskar’, Sur-Mani’ Pt.Sangameshwar Gurav Smruti Yuva Puraskar Arati has been selected by ICCR on its Panel.
SUYOG KUNDALKAR
Suyog is an established harmonium player of the younger generation. He has achieved a distinct identity of his own at a very young age. He started training in Harmonium at the age of six from Smt.Ranjana Godse. Since 1997, he has been a devoted student of the renowned harmonium soloist, accompanist and musicologist Dr.Arawind Thatte.
Also a keen student of classical vocal music, Suyog has trained under Shri.Suhas Datar and Smt. Lalita Khadilkar. He has also participated in "Tappa" workshops conducted by Pt. Balasaheb Poochwale and Pt. Vasantrao Rajurkar.
He has accompanied maestros like Dr.GangubaiHangal , Gaansaraswati Kishori Amonkar, Dr.Prabha Atre,Smt. Girija Devi, Smt. Vasundhara Komakali, Smt. Malini Rajurkar ,Pt. Ulhas Kashalkar, Pt. Vyankateshkumar, Smt. VeenaSaharabuddhe, Ustad Rashid Khan, Dr. AshwiniBhide-Deshpande, Pt. MukulShivputra, , Arati Anklikar-Tikekar, Raghunandan Panshikar , Kaushiki Chakravarti and many others.
He is the recipient of prestigious “U.Bismillah Khan YuvaPuraskar” given by Sangeet Natak Academy. He has received GaanSaraswati Kishori Amonkar Sangeetkar Puraskar” ‘Pt. Govindrao Tembe Sangeetkar Puraskar’ "Rasikagrani Dattopant Deshpande Puraskar".
SANJAY DESHPANDE
Sanjay Deshpande is a talented Tabla Player based in Pune, INDIA. He was born in a music loving family and was introduced to the art of playing Tabla under Late Pt. Sabade at Pune Bharat Gayan Samaj. Later he took Taleem (lessons) from the renowned Tabla player Pt. Suresh Talwalkar of Delhi-Farookabad Gharana, in a Guru Shishya Parampara . He also had the privilege of understanding the beauty of Punjab Gharana under the guidance of world renowned Tabla maestro Ustad. Alla Rakha Khan Saheb. At present he is taking guidance from Pt. Yogesh Samsi and Pt. Vivek Joshi.
Sanjay is recipient of the coveted “Ahmedjaan Thirakwaa Scholarship” for Solo Performance. He has accompanied renowned artists like Smt. Vasundhara Komkali, Pt. Ulhas Kashalkar, Smt. Malini Rajurkar, Pt. Jasraj, Dr. Prabha Atre, Pt. Dinkar Kaikini, Dr. Ashwini Bhide-Deshpande Smt. Veena Sahastrabudhe and many such great artists.
He has performed in major conferences such as Sawai Gandharwa Music Festival Pune, Paluskar Smarak Conference, Shankarlal Samaroha in New Delhi, I.T.C. Sangeet Sammelan . Dowerlane Conference, Kolkatata.
He is empanelled as GURU at the Lalit Kala Kendra, University of Pune and Bharati Vidyapeeth Pune. He has number of recordings released. His fusion album “Wind From Ayuta” with Korean musicians won the Best album award of the year - 2002 in South Korea.
