Asha Khadilkar
Encyclopedia
Shrimati Asha Khadilkar (Born: 1955) is a Mumbai
, India
based vocalist renowned for her specialization in Indian(Hindustani) Classical, Semi-Classical and Devotional Music including Natya Sangeet
.
, Maharashtra
, India in 1955 , Asha took her initial steps in music under the guidance of Late Shri. Balkrishnabuva Mohite . Along with live performances in several Marathi Musicals , she rendered her first live Indian Classical Music Vocal concert at the age of thirteen. After moving to Mumbai in 1975 after marriage, Asha honed her unique talent and skills under the guidance of the legendary Marathi
singer Late Padmashree Manik Varma
before contiuning her tutelage in Indian Classical Music from Pt. Yashwantbuwa Joshi, a stalwart of Gwalior Gharana.
gharana
s,under the guidance of several music maestros such as Pandit Yashwantbuva Joshi, Pandit Shankar Abhyankar, Pandita Padmavati Shaligram, Late Padmashree Jitendra Abhisheki
, Late Vasantrao Deshpande.
Along with her penchant for Classical Music, she is well-known for her command over Traditional Marathi form "Natya Sangeet
", Bhavgeet and Bhajans.
Asha has also demonstrated her creative flair for music direction and classical bandish
compositions. She has provided her music direction to new generation of Marathi Musical Plays like "Sangeet Aradhana", "Sangeet Kaviraj Jaydev" to name a few.
Apart from performing live , Asha has been at her innovative best by conceptualizing various thematic programmes such as “Hori Rang Rangilee”, “Sawan – Rang”, “Ritu – Rang” and “Rachanakar-ko-pranam” in Hindi as well as participating in programmes like "Swarabhishek", "Manik-Moti" in Marathi. She has always been active in spreading the soul of Indian Classical Music through organizations such as "Spic Macay". Asha continues to tutor and mentor young Indian Classical Vocalists.
Since 1994, Asha along with her husband Shri Madhav Khadilkar are spearheading 'Uttung Sanskrutik Pariwar', a cultural organization in Mumbai and Thane for providing a stage to upcoming talent in the field of Music, Dance, Theatre and Literature and to honour deserving people with 'Uttung Award' to recognize their significant contribution to any of these art forms.
. This season featured adults in their mid-30s and 40s who pursued music as a hobby . The show was aptly named Sa Re Ga Ma Pa: Swapna Swaranche, Navatarunyache (स्वप्न स्वरांचे, नवतारुण्याचे), which roughly translates to Dreams of Music and New Youth.
Mumbai
Mumbai , formerly known as Bombay in English, is the capital of the Indian state of Maharashtra. It is the most populous city in India, and the fourth most populous city in the world, with a total metropolitan area population of approximately 20.5 million...
, India
India
India , officially the Republic of India , is a country in South Asia. It is the seventh-largest country by geographical area, the second-most populous country with over 1.2 billion people, and the most populous democracy in the world...
based vocalist renowned for her specialization in Indian(Hindustani) Classical, Semi-Classical and Devotional Music including Natya Sangeet
Natya Sangeet
Natya Sangeet is a form of Indian classical and semi-classical music. The name literally means Dramatic Music and the musical dramas are then called as Sangeet Natak. It is also one of the two popular forms of vocal arts in Maharashtra and surrounding states...
.
Background
Born in the mecca of Marathi Drama, SangliSangli
Sangli is a city in the state of Maharashtra of India. Sangli is known as the Turmeric city for its vast production of Turmeric. Sangli is situated on the banks of river Krishna and is the largest market place for Turmeric in Asia and houses many sugar factories, which it is also noted for...
, Maharashtra
Maharashtra
Maharashtra is a state located in India. It is the second most populous after Uttar Pradesh and third largest state by area in India...
, India in 1955 , Asha took her initial steps in music under the guidance of Late Shri. Balkrishnabuva Mohite . Along with live performances in several Marathi Musicals , she rendered her first live Indian Classical Music Vocal concert at the age of thirteen. After moving to Mumbai in 1975 after marriage, Asha honed her unique talent and skills under the guidance of the legendary Marathi
Marathi people
The Marathi people or Maharashtrians are an Indo-Aryan ethnic group, that inhabit the Maharashtra region and state of western India. Their language Marathi is part of the southern group of Indo-Aryan languages...
singer Late Padmashree Manik Varma
Manik Varma
Padmashree Manik Varma is considered the doyen of Hindustani classical Music from the Kirana Gharana, most known for her song, Amrutahuni Goad. She also excelled in semi-classical and light music like Thumri, Marathi Natya Sangeet, Bhavgeet and Bhakti geet...
before contiuning her tutelage in Indian Classical Music from Pt. Yashwantbuwa Joshi, a stalwart of Gwalior Gharana.
Work
With exemplary command over a plethora of different Indian musical forms, Asha has won millions of hearts across India and abroad alike. She has consciously adapted to the best flavours of Gwalior, Kirana and AgraAgra
Agra a.k.a. Akbarabad is a city on the banks of the river Yamuna in the northern state of Uttar Pradesh, India, west of state capital, Lucknow and south from national capital New Delhi. With a population of 1,686,976 , it is one of the most populous cities in Uttar Pradesh and the 19th most...
gharana
Gharana
In Hindustani music, a gharānā is a system of social organization linking musicians or dancers by lineage or apprenticeship, and by adherence to a particular musical style. A gharana also indicates a comprehensive musicological ideology. This ideology sometimes changes substantially from one...
s,under the guidance of several music maestros such as Pandit Yashwantbuva Joshi, Pandit Shankar Abhyankar, Pandita Padmavati Shaligram, Late Padmashree Jitendra Abhisheki
Jitendra Abhisheki
Pandit Jitendra Abhisheki was an Indian vocalist, composer and scholar of classical, semi-classical, and devotional music...
, Late Vasantrao Deshpande.
Vasantrao Deshpande
Vasantrao Deshpande was a renowned Hindustani classical vocalist who was also a brilliant performer of Natya Sangeet. He had a unique style of singing which is still loved by many ardent fans.-Early life and background:...
Along with her penchant for Classical Music, she is well-known for her command over Traditional Marathi form "Natya Sangeet
Natya Sangeet
Natya Sangeet is a form of Indian classical and semi-classical music. The name literally means Dramatic Music and the musical dramas are then called as Sangeet Natak. It is also one of the two popular forms of vocal arts in Maharashtra and surrounding states...
", Bhavgeet and Bhajans.
Asha has also demonstrated her creative flair for music direction and classical bandish
Bandish
Bandish, Cheez or Gat is a fixed, melodic composition in Hindustani vocal or instrumental music. It is set in a specific raga, performed with rhythmic accompaniment by a tabla or pakhavaj, a steady drone, and melodic accompaniment by a sarangi, violin or harmonium. There are different ways of...
compositions. She has provided her music direction to new generation of Marathi Musical Plays like "Sangeet Aradhana", "Sangeet Kaviraj Jaydev" to name a few.
Apart from performing live , Asha has been at her innovative best by conceptualizing various thematic programmes such as “Hori Rang Rangilee”, “Sawan – Rang”, “Ritu – Rang” and “Rachanakar-ko-pranam” in Hindi as well as participating in programmes like "Swarabhishek", "Manik-Moti" in Marathi. She has always been active in spreading the soul of Indian Classical Music through organizations such as "Spic Macay". Asha continues to tutor and mentor young Indian Classical Vocalists.
Since 1994, Asha along with her husband Shri Madhav Khadilkar are spearheading 'Uttung Sanskrutik Pariwar', a cultural organization in Mumbai and Thane for providing a stage to upcoming talent in the field of Music, Dance, Theatre and Literature and to honour deserving people with 'Uttung Award' to recognize their significant contribution to any of these art forms.
Discography
Several renowned Indian recording companies such as HMV, Tips, Polydor have released Asha's audiocassettes and CDs in Indian classical as well as light and devotional music.Prominent Appearances
- Sawai Gandharva Music FestivalSawai Gandharva Music FestivalThe Sawai Gandharva Bhimsen Mahotsav is amongst the largest and most popular musical festivals of Indian Classical music in India....
, Pune - Shreemant Dagdusheth Halwai Ganpati Festival, Pune
- Swar-Bhaskar Music Festival, Pune
- Spirit of Unity Concerts for National Integration, Hyderabad
- BMM Convention, US 1993, 2007
- Lecture & Demonstration workshops to college students on the topics related to Indian Classical Music
- Playback singing in Marathi Movies like 'Balgandharva'(2011)
- Several solo performances on All India Radio, Doordarshan, DD Sahyadree, ETV Marathi, Zee Marathi, SAM TV
- Celebrity Judge on popular Marathi Musical Contents on ETV Marathi, Sahyadree and Zee Marathi
- Several memorable concerts in the US, UK, Canada and Singapore
Awards and recognition
- Awarded for contribution to Semi-Classical Music by Government of Maharashtra Cultural Wing
- 'Swar-Ratna' Award by Marathi TV channel 'Sahyadree'
- Padmashree Manik Verma Award
- Pandit Kumar Gandharva Award
- Natasamrat Bal Gandharva Award at the hands of the legendary singer Late Smt Hirabai Badodekar
- 'Best Music Composer in Marathi Theatre' award by Government of Maharashtra
- Felicitation by Government of Maharashtra on International Women's Day
- Sangeet Shiromani Award at Banaras
Affiliation with Sa Re Ga Ma Pa
In 2008, Asha Khadilkar was invited as one of the celebrity judges for the Marathi vocal singing competition show, Idea Sa Re Ga Ma Pa, alongside music director Shri.Salil KulkarniSalil Kulkarni
Dr. Saleel Kulkarni is a renowned Marathi music composer, singer and author from Maharashtra, India. His musical journey started at the age of 3 years, when he performed on All India Radio, Pune. Thereafter, he took his musical lessons from Pt.Gangadharbuva Pimpalkhare, Jaymalabai Shiledar and...
. This season featured adults in their mid-30s and 40s who pursued music as a hobby . The show was aptly named Sa Re Ga Ma Pa: Swapna Swaranche, Navatarunyache (स्वप्न स्वरांचे, नवतारुण्याचे), which roughly translates to Dreams of Music and New Youth.
See also
- Natya SangeetNatya SangeetNatya Sangeet is a form of Indian classical and semi-classical music. The name literally means Dramatic Music and the musical dramas are then called as Sangeet Natak. It is also one of the two popular forms of vocal arts in Maharashtra and surrounding states...
- Pandit Jitendra AbhishekiJitendra AbhishekiPandit Jitendra Abhisheki was an Indian vocalist, composer and scholar of classical, semi-classical, and devotional music...
- Pandit Vasantrao DeshpandeVasantrao DeshpandeVasantrao Deshpande was a renowned Hindustani classical vocalist who was also a brilliant performer of Natya Sangeet. He had a unique style of singing which is still loved by many ardent fans.-Early life and background:...
- Manik VarmaManik VarmaPadmashree Manik Varma is considered the doyen of Hindustani classical Music from the Kirana Gharana, most known for her song, Amrutahuni Goad. She also excelled in semi-classical and light music like Thumri, Marathi Natya Sangeet, Bhavgeet and Bhakti geet...