Dhondutai Kulkarni
Encyclopedia
Dhondutai Kulkarni, is perhaps the last living icon of the Jaipur-Atrauli Gharana
. The legendary Alladiya Khan, who founded the Jaipur-Atrauli Gharana
, made this Gharana
unique by its full-throated singing, its complicated Taans, and its vast repertoire of Raags, which Dhondutai Kulkarni represents very well.
family in the in Kolhapur, Maharashtra
. Dhondutai's father initiated her into music. From him she became an AIR performing artiste at the age of eight. She then started training under Bhurji Khan
, whose father, Alladiya Khan, had a special care for Dhondutai, and it was not uncommon to find her sitting next to the legendary performer at music festivals. Her training continued under the mentorship of Laxmibai Jadhav. Thereafter, she spent a long number of years under the immensely distinguished knowledge of Kesarbai Kerkar, ending up as her sole disciple.
creations made not just by Alladiya Khan but also Kesarbai Kerkar. At 74, Dhondutai is saluted not just for her musical contributions, but also for her quality as a performing artist.
in 1990. She also has been invited to the "Surashri Kesarbai Kerkar Sangeet Sammelan" since its beginnings, she sings last at the concert.
Jaipur-Atrauli gharana
The Jaipur-Atrauli gharana is a Khayal-based stylized singing family-hood , founded by Utd. Alladiya Khan in the late 19th century...
. The legendary Alladiya Khan, who founded the Jaipur-Atrauli Gharana
Jaipur-Atrauli gharana
The Jaipur-Atrauli gharana is a Khayal-based stylized singing family-hood , founded by Utd. Alladiya Khan in the late 19th century...
, made this 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...
unique by its full-throated singing, its complicated Taans, and its vast repertoire of Raags, which Dhondutai Kulkarni represents very well.
Early life
She was born in a BrahminBrahmin
Brahmin Brahman, Brahma and Brahmin.Brahman, Brahmin and Brahma have different meanings. Brahman refers to the Supreme Self...
family in the in Kolhapur, 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...
. Dhondutai's father initiated her into music. From him she became an AIR performing artiste at the age of eight. She then started training under Bhurji Khan
Bhurji Khan
Ustad Shamsuddin "Bhurji" Khan was a Hindustani Classical vocalist of the Jaipur-Atrauli Gharana founded by his father, Utd. Alladiya Khan.-Early life:...
, whose father, Alladiya Khan, had a special care for Dhondutai, and it was not uncommon to find her sitting next to the legendary performer at music festivals. Her training continued under the mentorship of Laxmibai Jadhav. Thereafter, she spent a long number of years under the immensely distinguished knowledge of Kesarbai Kerkar, ending up as her sole disciple.
Repertoire
Her incredible repertoire of ragas sees to it that she rarely repeats a raga at two consecutive concerts. Dhondutai knows specialty RaagRaag
Raag or RAAG can have several meanings:* Radio Amateur Association of Greece* Rāga, a melodic mode in Indian classic music* Right-angled Artin groups, a class of groups studied in geometric group theory....
creations made not just by Alladiya Khan but also Kesarbai Kerkar. At 74, Dhondutai is saluted not just for her musical contributions, but also for her quality as a performing artist.
Awards and recognition
Dhondutai has been awarded the Sangeet Natak Akademi AwardSangeet Natak Akademi Award
Sangeet Natak Akademi Puraskar is an award given by the Sangeet Natak Akademi, India's National Academy of Music, Dance & Drama. It is the highest Indian recognition given to practicing artists. The award consists since 2003 of Rs. 50,000, a citation, an angavastram , and a tamrapatra...
in 1990. She also has been invited to the "Surashri Kesarbai Kerkar Sangeet Sammelan" since its beginnings, she sings last at the concert.