The Indian National award winner Pandit Sanjeev Abhyankar is an exponent from Mewati Gharana and a disciple of Pandit Jasraj. An artist of International acclaim, Pandit Abhyankar toured extensively many countries and produced more than 60 solo albums. Accompanied by Ajinkya Joshi on tabla and Milind Kulkarni on Harmonium (hand-pumped organ), Pandit Abhynakar will be presenting the rich musical tradition of North Indian classical music with his amazing vocals.
Although the concert is an Indian Classical Concert their audience is for anyone interested in Indian Classical Music. The artists are on a tour of Canada and are performing to sold out crowds in other cities the country.
Venue: David Lam Auditorium, MacLaurin Building at University of Victoria (UVic)
Date: Friday, May 15, 2015
Time: 7:00PM (Doors open at 6:45PM)
Tickets: $20, Students $15
Tickets are available at: Munro's books, Long and McQuade and at the door
Call Sri/Sudhakar: 250-721-2672 to reserve or for more information.
Pandit Sanjeev Abhyankar, the Maestro from the Mewati Gharana, is an artist of international acclaim in the field of Hindustani Classical Music. An extremely popular artist, he is the inspiration for the young generation. With his magical singing, he has attracted the young generation towards the Indian classical music. In a career spanning more than 25 years, he has assumed the mantle of a role model of dedication, hard work, patience and perseverance. Blessed with an exceptionally sweet voice, his vocation in life was clear right from the age of three. Born on the 5th October 1969, Sanjeev started learning Hindustani Classical Music, from the tender age of eight. His mother Dr. Smt.Shobha Abhyankar, Pandit Pimpalkhare ji of the Gwalior Gharana and Padmavibhushan Pandit Jasraj ji of the Mewati Gharana have groomed him. In 1981, Sanjeev, the child prodigy, rendered his first stage performance in Mumbai, at the age of eleven. Since then, he has traveled extensively all over the country performing in all the prestigious conferences and art circles, several times. He has a distinction of performing in over 200 different cities till date. He has spread the fragrance of Indian Classical music in U.S.A., Canada, Australia, Europe, Africa and the Middle East. As a composer, he has several classical and devotional compositions to his credit. He has received many awards which include the President’s award from the All India Radio, the coveted National Award as the best male playback singer, for the Hindi film ‘Godmother’, the prestigious Kumar Gandharv National Award conferred by the Government of Madhya Pradesh, F.I.E. Foundation National Award, The Rotary Vocational Excellence Award, the title “Sur-Ratna” and the Pandit Jasraj Gaurav Puraskar, to name a few. He has recorded over 60 solo albums by all the reputed music labels, which have been highly acclaimed all over the world. His award winning performance in ‘Godmother’ and impassioned rendition of Marathi, Hindi & Sanskrit Bhajans reflect his easy grace and versatility. Sanjeev has rendered the entire “Dasbodh” containing 7800 verses for an audio book project by the Govt of Maharashtra.Milind Kulkarni's natural flair for Harmonium reflects the eternal essence of Hindustani Classical Music as handed down in the true "Guru Shishya Parampara". Endowed with talent, he has carved for himself a place in the divine world of Music and captured the hearts of the listeners.Milind's tryst with Harmonium bloomed at the tender age of seven. Over a period of time, under the gentle guidance of his Teachers & his own efforts - dedication & rigorous 'Riyaaz '-intense hours of practice - this fine art has flowered to reach a state of exceptional caliber. Milind is today a reputed accompanist and soloist. Milind's father, an avid Music lover, recognized the inborn talent of young Milind & opened the world of music at a very young age. Pt. Vasantrao Gurav of Sangli was the first formal Guru who introduced Milind to the 'Seven Swaras'. Understanding his potential, Pt. Anna Diwan of Sangli further enriched Milind's talents. Subsequently, he has been under the fine tutelage of Pt. Pramod Marathe, leading harmonium player & Principal at the Gandharva Mahavidyalaya, Pune. Milind earned his Bachelor's Degree in Music, specializing in Harmonium at Centre for Performing Arts, Pune University, Pune. Milind has accompanied distinguished & renowned Musicians of India like Pt. Jasraj, Pt. Suresh Talwalkar, Pt. Anindo Chatterji , Pt. Kumar Bose, Pt. Sanjeev Abhyankar, Smt.Padma Talwalkar, Dr. Prabha Atre, Dr. Ashwini Bhide-Deshpande, Pt. Ullhas Kashalkar, Smt.Aarti Ankalikar-Tikekar, Pt. Prabhakar Karekar, Shri. RamdasPalsule, Shri.Vijay Ghate etc in India and also abroad in U.S.A, Canada, Australia, the Far East and the Middle East countries. He has also accompanied various Kathak Dance performances. Milind is a regular performer of All India Radio & Doordarshan (T.V.) network.Ajinkya Joshi is an established tabla player of the young generation. He started his initial training at a tender age of 7 yrs from Pt. Shantilal Shah, one of the senior most disciple of Pt. Suresh Talwalkar. His parents, through their passion for music inspired him to take Tabla as a profession. At the age of 16 he moved to Mumbai and over 10 yrs underwent intensive training with none other than Taal-Yogi Pt. Suresh Talwalkar himself, one of the most creative and dedicated Gurus, in the Guru-Shishya Parampara tradition.Exceptionally sweet tonal quality, an astonishingly perfect balance between “Daaya” and “Baaya” (left and right hand movement) , clarity of compositions in Tabla-Solo and of course the precise “Vajan” (weight) of his strokes are some highlights of his playing. He possesses a perfect, highly disciplined and incomparable sound technique. Ajinkya is the recipient of Vishnu Digambar Paluskar Award in 1999. He has accompanied his Guru in various Tabla-Solo concerts all over India. Ajinkya has accompanied various top class artists such as Smt. Shama Bhate (kathak), Pandit Sanjeev Abhyankar, Smt.Aarti Ankalikar, Dr. Ashwini Bhide Deshpande to name a few, from all the strings of Indian Classical Music. He has a great teaching potential and has successfully taught in India and abroad.