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About the Artists

Dr. Arun Dravid - Photo

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 pure

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.

   

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.

 

Picture of Sharad Gadre

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

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.