Ajay Pohankar
| Pandit Ajay Pohankar | |
|---|---|
| Born | 24/02/1947 |
| Origin | Jabalpur, Madhya Pradesh, India |
| Genres | Hindustani classical music, Kirana Gharana |
| Occupation(s) | Classical Vocalist |
| Website | Official site |
Maestro Pandit Ajay Pohankar (born 1947) is an Indian classical vocalist.[1][2]
Early life and background
Maestro Pandit Ajay Pohankar (Marathi: अजय पोहणकर) was born in Jabalpur, Madhya Pradesh, where his father was an advocate. He had his initial tutelage under his mother Sushilabai Pohankar, a classical vocalist and a musicologist of Kirana gharana. A child prodigy Pohankar started singing at a young age, at age 11, Pandit Bhimsen Joshi called him on stage at the Sawai Gandharva Music Festival in Pune and asked him to sing.[3] His sister, Swati Natekar is also a singer based in London.
Career
Maestro Pandit Ajay Pohankar is quite popular for his classical concerts. Besides being a renowned classical vocalist for over 50 years he is also known for the musical video and album of fusion music called Piya Bavari which was composed and conceptualised by his talented son Abhijit pohankar.[4] He also interacted with legendary vocalist, Ustad Amir Khan, who used to frequent his house when he was young.Pandit Ajay pohankar was considered as a miracle child prodigy when he sang some of the most amazing concerts alongside masters and legends of classical music like Smt Hira Bai Badodekar,Pandit Omkarnath thakur,Ustad bade Ghulam ali khan,Pt Bhimsen joshi and Ustad Salamat ali khan sahab.He has collaborated with many artists like Ghulam ali (Ghazal maestro),Dr Sonal Mansingh,Pt Vishwamohan bhatt,Hariharan, Percussionist Trilok gurtu etc..He has performed in more than 3500 concerts across the world till date.
Personal life
Pandit Ajay Pohankar is married to Smt Anjali Pohankar, a vocalist and musicologist who also has a Thumri book written by her on her credit.They have a son, Abhijit Pohankar, a classical keyboardist and fusion music composer and producer we'll known for his different and innovative music. .[5]
Awards and honours
In 2009, he was awarded the Tansen Samman for the year 2009-10 by the Government of Madhya Pradesh[6] In 2012, he was awarded the Sangeet Natak Akademi Award, the highest award for performing artists, conferred by the Sangeet Natak Akademi, India's National Academy for Music, Dance and Drama.[7][8]
Discography
Raag Darpan T series Piya bawari-Times music Piya bawari again-Times music Urban raga-Hmv Sa re ga na Close to my heart-HMV Sa re ga ma Thumri funk-Emi Balaji tirupati-Times music Temple Music-Times music Sankirtan
- Sangeet Sartaj-Music today
- Faces Of Raga - Music today
- Raag Sindhu Bhairavi
- Raag Mishra Kafi
- Brij Mein Khelat Nandkishori
- Barjori Kar Rang Daari
References
- ↑ "Ajay Pohankar concert". The Hindu (Chennai, India). November 9, 2010.
- ↑ "Sitara, Keka to perform in Mumbai". The Times Of India. March 8, 2011.
- ↑ Samhita Barooah. "Five decades of uncompromised music". Deccan Herald. Retrieved 12 July 2013.
- ↑ http://www.expressindia.com/latest-news/Sound-advice/247839/
- ↑ http://www.expressindia.com/latest-news/magical-fusion/351895/
- ↑ "Tansen Samman for Ghulam Mustafa Khan". The Pioneer. 26 November 2010. Retrieved 10 March 2011.
- ↑ "Sangeet Natak Akademi Fellowships and Akademi Awards 2012" (PDF). Press Information Bureau, Govt of India. Retrieved May 28, 2012.
- ↑ "SNA: List of Akademi Awardees". Sangeet Natak Akademi Official website.