20070513.html

Pandit Sanjeev Abhyankar, the maestro from the Mewati Gharana, is an extremely popular internationally acclaimed exponent of the Hindustani genre of music. In a career spanning more than 25 years, he has assumed the mantle of role model for dedication, hard work, patience and perseverance, and is an inspiration for the younger generation. Born in 1969, Sanjeev started learning Hindustani Classical Music from the tender age of eight. His teacher’s include Smt. Shobha Abhyankar, his mother, Pandit Pimpalkhare, his mother’s guru, and later from Padmavibhushan Pandit Jasraj. Sanjeev gave his first public performance in Mumbai at the age of 11. Since then he has traveled extensively all over the country, performing in prestigious art circles and national conferences, including Sawai Gandharva Sangeet Samaroh (Pune), Dover Lane Conference (Calcutta), Vishnu Digambar Paluskar Jayanti Samaroh, Master Dinanath Sangeet Mahotsav (Goa), Radio Sangeet Sammelan, Spirit of Unity Concerts for National Integration, and the concerts organised by Sangeet Natak Academy and ICCR. He has also performed extensively in Canada, Australia, Europe, Africa, Middle East and in the U.S.A. He has received numerous awards, including the President's award from the All India Radio in 1990, the prestigious F. I. E. Foundation National Award 1996, the coveted National Award in 1998 as the best male playback singer, for the Hindi film 'Godmother', the title 'Sur Ratna', Rotary Vocational Excellence Award 2002 and Pandit Jasraj Gaurav Puraskar. Sanjeev has released several recordings through reputed music companies like HMV, Music Today, Sony Music, Times Music, Navaras Records U.K., Neelam Audio Videos U.S.A and Alurkar Music, among others. He has also sung playback for a number of films, including 'Maachis', 'Nidaan', 'Sanshodhan' and 'Banaras'. Sanjeev's award-winning performance in 'Godmother' reflects his easy grace and versatility, as do his impassioned renditions of Marathi Abhangs and Hindi Bhajans. Sanjeev is also a composer and has contributed to the existing vast repertoire of Mewati Gharana compositions (Bandishes) with some of his own. Although his aim since childhood had been to pursue a career in music, Sanjeev holds a Bachelor's Degree in Commerce.

Harshad Kanetkar, a young talented Tabla player from India, began his initial training in Tabla at the age of five with Shri Pandurang Mukhade. For the past twelve years he has had intensive training under Shri Ramdas Palsule and Pandit Suresh Talwalkar. Harshad is one of the few versatile Tabla players of his generation, equally adept at accompanying vocal, instrumental or dance. Crispness and clarity of his technique and a total command of rhythm are the hallmarks of Harshad’s style. He has accompanied many leading artists including Pt.Jasraj, Pt.Ulhas Kashalkar, Ustad Shahid Parvez, Ustad Rashid Khan, Smt. Veena Sahastrabuddhe, Dr. Ashwhini Bhide-Deshpande, Smt.Aarti Anklikar-Tikekar, Smt. Kala Ramnath and Shama Bhate (Kathak), in prestigious music conferences all over India. Harshad has also traveled and performed extensively in U.S., Canada, Europe and the Middle East. His recordings include solo works and fusion of musical traditions of the East and West. Harshad has received many accolades and honors, including a National Scholarship from the Government of India. He taught at the Pandit Jasraj Music Academy in the U.S.A. as visiting faculty for many years.

Milind Kulkarni is a reputed accompanist and fast emerging as a soloist. His tryst with the harmonium began at the tender age of seven, thanks to the efforts of his father, an avid music lover. Milind’s natural flair for the harmonium reflects the eternal essence of Hindustani Classical Music as handed down in the true "Guru Shishya Parampara". Pt. Vasantrao Gurav of Sangli was the first formal Guru who introduced Milind to the 'Seven Swaras'; Pt. Anna Diwan of Sangli further enriched Milind's talents. Today, Milind is under the fine tutelage of Pt. Pramod Marathe, leading Harmonium player & Principal at the Gandharva Mahavidyalaya, Pune. This talented artiste has accompanied distinguished & renowned musicians, including Pt. Jasraj, Pt. Suresh Talwalkar, Smt. Padma Talwalkar, Dr. Prabha Atre, Dr. Ashwini Bhide-Deshpande, Pt. Ullhas Kashalkar and Smt. Aarti Ankalikar-Tikekar. He has also provided accompaniment for Kathak Dance performances. Milind is a regular performer for All India Radio and the Doordarshan (T.V.) network. He was awarded the Business Express Kalashree Award as a Young Artist in 2002, the Smt. Leelatai Jalgaonkar Award in 2003 and the Pt. Manohar Betavadkar Award in 2004. Milind earned his Bachelor's Degree in Music, specializing in Harmonium at The Centre for Performing Arts, Pune University, Pune.