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About the Artists
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Dr. Arun Dravid is a
highly accomplished vocalist of the Jaipur-Atrauli gharana. His
early training was under the tutelage of late Ustad Abdul Majid
Khan Saheb, a direct disciple of late Ustad Alladiya Khan, and
life-time Sarangi accompanist to late Smt. Kesarbai Kerkar.
Arun-ji's advanced training after that was from Ganasaraswati
Smt. Kishori Amonkar, with occasional training from late Smt.
Mogubai Kurdikar. Arun-ji has performed in concerts under
the auspices of many prestigious conferences in Mumbai, Pune and
other cities in India. He has also presented 32 concerts
all over the U.S. over the past seven years. Arun-ji has
rigorously cultivated a balanced version of the "Bhava-dominant"
style of Smt. Kishori Amonkar and the structural beauty that is
the characteristic of the puritanical Jaipur gayaki. In
her recent biography, Smt. Kishori Amonkar has specifically
noted that Arun is one of her top disciples who continues the
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Jaipur tradition.
Arun-ji also sings with equal charm light-classical varieties
such as Thumris and Marathi theater compositions (Natya-Sangeet).
Arun-ji is an IIT Gold Medalist and a Ph.D. chemical engineer
from MIT by training. Currently he is professionally employed as
V.P. with Jacobs Engineering, in Pasadena, California, and he
spends several months in India every year for professional work
as well as delivering vocal concerts in various cities in India.
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Abhiman Kaushal is an
outstanding tabla artist who is much sought after for his
sensitive accompaniment and intense solo playing. He represents
the Farukkabad and Lucknow styles of tabla and learned from his
father R. B. Kaushal, who was a disciple of the legendary Ustad
Amir Hussain Khan. Abhiman has accompanied most of the leading
vocalists, musicians, and dancers of North Indian classical
music. He has toured around the world performing in prestigious
venues. He has numerous recordings and world music
collaborations. |
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Sharad
Gadre has been involved with music for over 45 years. He got his
training in the vocal classical musical tradition from two
stalwarts of the Gwaliar Gharana, the late Pt. Yeshwant Sadashiv
Mirashibuwa, and the late Pt. Nagesh Khalikar, both of Pune.
Thus, his gayaki reflects strong elements from the gwalior
tradition. Sharad, a vocalist and an accomplished
harmonium accompanist, has given several concerts and workshops
on various topics related to classical music, and has
accompanied various musicians such as Pt. Jasraj, the late Pt.
Jitendra Abhisheki, Ulhas Kashalkar, Sanjeev Abhyankar etc. in
their concerts. Sharad holds a Ph.D. in Engineering,
and has worked in the computer applications
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area
throughout his working career. His specialities include
information modeling and management, database design and
implementation, and developing software applications. He has
also developed a software for practising music called
Ragaparichaya. |
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