Arun Kashalkar

Arun Kashalkar
Arun Kashalkar in concert, Singapore
Background information
Genres	Hindustani classical music
Occupation(s)	Vocalist
Website	www.arunkashalkar.com

Pandit Arun Kashalkar is an Indian classical vocalist of the Agra-Gwalior Gharana. As a very well known respected and accomplished artist, he is a teacher to many students and performs widely over India and abroad. His singing is a blend of Gwalior, Jaipur and Agra styles, with the emphasis on Agra.^[1]

Lineage

Pandit Arun Kashalkar first learnt from his father, Shri N. D. Kashalkar, a lawyer and musicologist.^[2] He then received taleem from Pt. D.V. Panke and Pt. A.K. alias Rajabhau Kogje (disciple of Pt. Vinayakbuwa Patwardhan).^[3]

Pandit Arun Kashalkar also received training from:

Pandit Ram Marathe

Pandit Ram Marathe received taleem from Pandit Manohar Barve, Pandit Mirashibua, Master Krishna Rao Phulambrikar, Ustad Vilayat Hussain Khan and Pandit Jagannathbua Purohit. His singing was a blend of Gwalior, Jaipur and Agra Gharanas.^[4]

Pandit Gajananbuwa Joshi

Pandit Gajananbuwa Joshi received taleem from his father Pandit Anant Manohar Joshi, Pandit Vazebuwa, Ustad Bhurji Khan Saheb, and Ustad Vilayat Hussein Khan Saheb. As well as a vocalist, Pandit Gajananbuwa was also a highly skilled violin player by the time he turned 20. His singing was of the Gwalior Gharana, but also with flavours of Agra and Jaipur.^[5][6]

Pandit Babanrao Haldankar

Pandit Babanrao Haldankar is a vocalist, guru and musicologist. Known for his high values for tradition, he is regarded as one of the most respected Gurus in Maharashtra, India. He is also a composer of many bandishes under the pen name 'Rasapiya'.^[7]

As a vocalist

Pandit Arun Kashalkar in concert, Pandit Vibhav Nageshkar on Tabla

Pandit Arun Kashalkar is a vocalist of the Agra-Gwalior Gharana. His singing has an emphasis on the lively and rhythm-oriented style of the Agra gharana. His performances are known for the essence of Agra with his use of 'nomtom', 'bols', 'taans' with great force and boundless creativity. He has composed over 150 bandishes in his book 'Swar Archana'^[8] under the pseudonym of 'Rasdaas'.^[9] He has performed all over India, as well as Singapore and the USA.^[10]

As a guru

Pandit Arun Kashalkar is one of the most sought after teachers of Indian classical vocal. His disciples include Ravindra Parchure,^[11][12] Vishal Moghe,^[13] and Mukul Kulkarni,^[14] (all of which are graded by All India Radio and are performing vocalists) and is imparting taleem to many more also. He also visits Singapore where he performs and gives workshops at the Temple of Fine Arts.^[15]

Awards

• Senior Fellowship awarded by Dept of Culture, Govt. of India, for Outstanding Artists for the research "Impact of Gharana based training and successful techniques to impart quality music education".

• "Sangeet Ratna" by Kashi Sangeet Samaj, Varanasi, March 2010

• "Sangeetacharya" by Akhil Bharatiya Gandharva Mahavidyalay – his thesis "Aesthetic principles in Ustad Vilayat Hussein Khan's compositions"

• Sangeet Shikshak Puraskar, Dadar

• Maharashtra Sangeet Samaj, Ujjain, honoured Pandit Arun Kashalkar for his contribution in the field of Indian classical music

• Swar Sadhana Puraskar, Mumbai

• Stood first in Open classical vocal competition: Arun Kashalkar(age 13)was awarded first prize at the hands of Hon. Chief Minister, Madhya Pradesh, in 1955

^[16][17]

References

1. "ITC Sangeet Research Academy". Retrieved 4 September 2014.
2. "SwarGanga Music Foundation". Retrieved 4 September 2014.
3. "SwarGanga – Rajabhau Kogje". Retrieved 6 September 2014.
4. "Pandit Ram Marathe Profile" (PDF). Retrieved 4 September 2014.
5. "GajananbuwaJoshi.com". Retrieved 4 September 2014.
6. "Arun Kashalkar – Lineage". Retrieved 4 September 2014.
7. "ITC Research Academy – The Artists". Retrieved 4 September 2014.
8. "ShadjaMadhyam – Presentation of Swar Archana". Retrieved 6 September 2014.
9. "Arun Kashalkar". Retrieved 4 September 2014.
10. "Arun Kashalkar – Performances". Retrieved 4 September 2014.
11. "Teachers and Performers of Indian Music and Dance – Singapore". Retrieved 4 September 2014.
12. "Artists-India Gallery – Ravindra Parchure". Retrieved 4 September 2014.
13. "Meetkalakar – Vishal Moghe". Retrieved 4 September 2014.
14. "Mukul Kulkarni – Lineage". Retrieved 4 September 2014.
15. "Swar Archana Pandit Arun Kashalkar in concert – Singapore". Retrieved 4 September 2014.
16. "Arun Kashalkar – Awards". Retrieved 4 September 2014.
17. "Artists-India Gallery – Pandit Arun Kashalkar". Retrieved 4 September 2014.