About the
Artists
Manjiri Asnare Kelkar
Manjiri has inherited the rich tradition of
Jaipur Atrauli gharana from Pt. Kanetkar, doyen of
the gharana. The effect of Pt. Kanetkar's long
association with Ustad Bhurji Khansaheb is aptly
reflected in the melodious singing of Manjiri.
Manjiri owes her gratitude to Pt. C. T. Mhaiskar
of Sangli under whom she received her lessons in
early days. What is significant about this young
artist is that she blends in herself the qualities
of not only a vocalist but also of a kathak dancer
with numerous prizes in her collection.
Manjiri exhibits astonishing depth of
understanding in Music. Her pliant, polished and
seasoned voice with open Akaar, her easy and
graceful glides, intertwining of Laya and Swara so
fine as to make the two appear inseparable- a
noteworthy feature so characteristic of Jaipur
gharana - skillful negotiation and execution of
Taans with a veteran's aplomb, a meticulous
adherence to the Bandish and to the mood and
emotions expounded in Ragas, all beautifully
mingle together to make her performance slick,
scintillating and spell binding. No wonder if all
these have won for her adulatory reviews and ever
growing audience. Her performances bear eloquent
testimony to her grit and determination, assiduous
Riaz, and exacting training by her illustrious
Guru.
Discerning cognoscenti in music will not miss
finer shades and aristocracy of traditions set by
stalwarts like Kesarbai Kerkar, Master Krishnarao,
and Pt. Gajananrao Joshi in Manjiri's renditions.
Her Guru Pt. Kanetkar has inherited some rare and
precious compositions from Prof. B.R.Deodhar, Shri
Gulubhai Jasdanwala, and Baba Azizuddin Kansaheb
(The grandson of Late Ustad Alladian Khansaheb)
and has bequeathed them to Manjiri.
Manjiri has received wide acclaim for her
performances at the 41st Sawai Gandharva Music
Festival-Pune, Megh-Malhar Samaroha 1994 - Mumbai,
Jaipur Samaroha 1995 - Bhopal, Tansen Samaroha
1998 - Gwalior, Kesarbai Kerkar Smriti
Samaroha-Goa and at numerous other concerts.The
enraptured audience at Kolkata literally gave her
a standing ovation at the conclusion of her
program organized by ITC Sangeet Sammelan in 1996
/ 2004, a rare honour indeed. Sangeet Natak
Academy, 2003 Hydrabad, Harwallab Music Festival
2003, Jalandhar, Shankarlal Festival - 2000 / 2004
Delhi, Dover lane Conference 2004 - Kolkotta.
Manjiri was also a scholar in her academic
career and a rank holder in the University.
Manjiri was the recipient of the prestigious
Soorashri Kesarbai Kerkar scholarship instituted
by N.C.P.A. and P.L.Deshpande foundation Mumbai,
for the year 1994. She received a classical music
scholarship for the year 1992 - 93, awarded by the
Govt. of India. Manjiri also won the A.I.R.
contest organized by All India Radio. She is a
regular 'A' Grade artist of All India radio and
has given many concert performances. She has won
the Hirabai Badodekar Smruti "Gan-Hira" prize
given by the S.N.D.T. University.
(Bio sourced from Artists' Website: http://www.manjiriasanare-kelkar.com)
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.
A
keen student of classical vocal music, Suyog has
trained under Shri.Shreeram Devasthali,Shri.
Suhas Datar and Smt. Lalita Khadilkar. He has
also participated in "Tappa" workshops conducted
by Pt. Balasaheb Poochwale and Pt. Vasantrao
Rajurkar.
Suyog
is a B High artist of the All India Radio and
Doordarshan. Suyog is empanelled
artiste on prestigious I.C.C.R
(Indian Council for Cultural Relation)
list. He holds a Bachelor’s degree in
music from "Lalit Kala Kendra" of the University
of Pune. Suyog is on the panel of ''Lalit
Kala Kendra'' (Centre for Performing Arts- Pune
University) as a Guru.
(Bio sourced
from Artists' Website: https://suyogkundalkar.weebly.com/)
Sanjay Deshpande
Sanjay was introduced to the art of playing
Tabla under Late Pt. P.V.Sabade at Pune Bharat
Gayan Samaj. Later he took Taleem from the
renowned Tabla player Pt. Suresh Talwalkar of
Delhi-Farookabad Gharana, in a Guru Shishya
Parampara for 6 years. He also had the privilege
of understanding the beauty of Punjab Gharana
under the Taleem of world renowned Tabla maestro
Ustd. Allarakha. At present he is learning from
Shri Yogesh Samsi (Senior disciple of Ustd.
Allarakha) and Pt. Vivek Joshi of
Delhi-Farookabad Gharana.
Sanjay is recipient of the coveted "Ahmedjaan
Thirkawaa Scholarship" for Solo Performance. He
has accompanied renowned artists like Pt. Ulhas
Kashalkar, Smt. Vasundhara Komkali, Smt. Veena
Sahasrabudhe, Smt. Padma Talwalkar, Dr.Alka Deo
Marulkar, Smt. Aarti Tikekar, Shri. Sanjeev
Abhyankar, Smt. Kalapini Komkali, Smt. Devaki
Pandit, Pt. Mukul Shivputra. He has performed in
major conferences such as Paluskar Smarak
Conference (New Delhi), Shankarlal Festival,
I.T.C. Sangeet Sammelan, Dowerlane Conference,
Calcutta.
Sanjay has performed abroad in countries like
U.S.A, U.K, Canada, Australia, Switzerland,
Holland, UAE, Dhaka. He has also participated in
the "World Vocal Festival" Stockholm, Sweden.
He has also experimented with the "Fusion" form
of music keeping the traditional form of Indian
music intact. He has worked with Korean
traditional musicians.
(Bio sourced from:
http://www.artists-india.com/) |