Pandit Sanjeev Abhyankar

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 3. Born in 1969, Sanjeev started learning Hindustani Classical Music, from the tender age of eight. He has been groomed by his mother Smt. Shobha Abhyankar, Pandit Pimpalkhare ji and Padmavibhushan Pandit Jasraj ji. Though his aim had been to pursue a career in music since childhood, he has acquired a bachelor's Degree in Commerce.

Sanjeevji rendered his first stage performance in Mumbai , at the age of 11. Since then, he has traveled extensively all over the country, performing in all the prestigious conferences and art circles, several times. He has spread the fragrance of Indian Classical music in U.S.A , Canada , Australia , Europe, Africa and the Middle East.

He has received many awards which include the President's award from the All India Radio in 1990, the prestigious F. I. E. Foundation National Award 1996, The coveted National Award 1998 as the best male playback singer , for the Hindi film 'Godmother', the title 'Sur Ratna', Rotary Vocational Excellence Award 2002 and Pandit Jasraj Gaurav Puraskar, to name a few.

He has several cassettes and compact discs by reputed music companies like HMV, Music Today, Sony Music, Times Music, Navaras Records U.K., Neelam Audio Videos U.S.A., Sona Rupa U.K., BMG Cressendo, Ninaad Music, Fountain Music & Alurkar Music , which have been highly acclaimed all over the world . He has also given playback for films such as ' Maachis', 'Nidaan', 'Sanshodhan' , 'Dil Pe Mat Le Yaar' and 'Banaras'. Sanjeevji's award winning performance in 'Godmother' as also his impassioned rendition of Marathi Abhangs and Hindi Bhajans reflect his easy grace and versatility.

By adding his own classical compositions, he has contributed to the already existing vast repertoire of Mewati Gharana compositions (Bandishes).

Sanjay Deshpande is a talented Tabla Player based in Pune, INDIA. He was born in a music loving family and was introduced to the art of playing Tabla under Late Pt. Sabade at Pune Bharat Gayan Samaj. Later he took Taleem (lessons) from the renowned Tabla player Pt. Suresh Talwalkar of Delhi-Farookabad Gharana, in a Guru Shishya Parampara .He also had the privilege of understanding the beauty of Punjab Gharana under the guidance of world renowned Tabla maestro Ustad. Alla Rakha Khan Saheb and Pt.Yogesh Samsi. At present he is taking Taleem from Pt. Vivek Joshi.

Sanjay is recipient of the coveted “Ahmedjaan Thirakwaa Scholarship” for Solo Performance. He has accompanied renowned artists like Smt. Vasundhara Komkali, Pt. Ulhas Kashalkar, Pt. Smt. Malini Rajurkar, Pt. Jasraj, Dr. Prabha Atre, Pt. Dinkar Kaikini, Dr. Ashwini Bhide-Deshpande , Smt. Veena Sahastrabudhe and many such great artists.

He has performed in major conferences such as Sawai Gandharwa Music Festival Pune, Paluskar Smarak Conference, Shankarlal Samaroha in New Delhi, I.T.C. Sangeet Sammelan . Dowerlane Conference, Kolkata. Sanjay has performed abroad in Countries like U.S.A, U.K, U.A.E, Canada, Australia, Switzerland, Russia,Belgim, Holland, Qatar, Israel, South Korea etc. He has also participated in the “World Vocal Festival” in Sweden.

He is empanelled as GURU at the Lalit Kala Kendra, University of Pune and Bharati Vidyapeeth Pune. He has number of recordings released. His fusion album “Wind From Ayuta” with Korean musicians won the Best album award of the year - 2002 in South Korea.

Abhishek Shinkar comes from the family of music lovers and connoisseurs. He started learning music at an early age. He took primary lessons of music from Shankar Mahajan for 8 years. Later on he carried his training for vocal and harmonium under the guidance of Pt. Nathrao Neralkar at Aurangabad for next 5 years under Gurushishya Parampara.

Post that, he has been taking formal lessons for harmonium under the tutelage of Pt. Pramod Marathe at Gandharva Mahavidyalaya Pune under Gurushishya Parampara for the past 5 years, which still continues. He is also fortunate to receive guidance from Taalyogi Pt. Sureshji Talwalkar.

He has accompanied various artist of great repertoire at many prestigious concerts, Pt. Suresh Talwalkar, Pt. Nathrao Neralkar, Pt. Ulhas Kashalkar, Pt. Vijay Ghate, Pt. Ramdas Palsule, Vidushi Kalapini Komkali, Pandita Padma Talwalkar, Pt. Raghunandan Panshikar, Shri Bhuvanesh Komkali, Pt. Supreet Deshpande, Smt. Manjusha Patil Kulkarni, Smt. Devaki Pandit to name a few. He had also performed solo concerts at various occasions, at NCPA Mumbai, Gandharva Mahavidyalaya Pune to name a few.