Past Festivals

Renoo Nathan performs in the Morning Session at the 2024 Ustad Amir Khan Music Festival. Accompanied by Prashant Phatak on harmonium and Suddha Kalyan Basu on tabla.

ABOUT THE ARTISTS

Renoo Nathan spent her childhood in New Delhi. She started learning Hindustani Classical at an early age from Gandharva Mahavidyalaya under the tutelage of Pandit Narayan Jukkalkar from the Gwalior gharana. After she moved to the Bay Area, she started learning from her guru Smt. Shubhangi Sakhalkar in the early 2000s. She is a mother of two, and her other passions include painting and creating art.

Prashant Phatak

Prashant Phatak is a self taught harmonium player. He has accompanied many artists such as Shrimati Shubhangi Sakhalkar over the past 20 years. He is currently learning Hindustani vocal from Shrimati Sakhalkar.

Shuddha Kalyan Basu

Suddha Kalyan Basu is a software engineer at Google by profession. He got introduced to Indian Classical music by his father, Late Shri Tirthankar Basu from whom he learnt his first vocal lessons. Much later, when he moved to California he started his tabla training with Pandit Swapan Chaudhuri at the Ali Akbar College briefly, and then started learning from Shri Nikhil Pandya, from whom he has been learning for several years now.

Ustad Amir Khan Music Festival 2023, by Intonation Foundation
Morning Session | Revathi Narayanan | vocals
Accompanied by Prashant Phatak on harmonium and Shripad Torvi on tabla

ABOUT THE ARTISTS

Exposed to Carnatic music throughout her formative years, Revathi took to learning Hindustani classical music as an adult, under the caring tutelage of Smt. Shubhangi Sakhalkar. She currently performs and teaches in the Bay Area and loves working on creative, music projects with children. She sings for the deep spiritual fulfillment of herself and her audience.

Prashant Phatak

Prashant Phatak is a self taught harmonium player. He has accompanied many artists such as Shrimati Shubhangi Sakhalkar over the past 20 years. He is currently learning Hindustani vocal from Shrimati Sakhalkar.

Shripad Torvi

Shripad Torvi was introduced to Tabla in early childhood by his uncle, vocalist Pt. Vinayak Torvi. His formal education began after coming to the US, where he learned from Shri. Abhinay Padhye for about 5 years. Shripad has accompanied many artists locally and visiting artists from India. He has been continuing his tabla lessons from Tabla Maestro Pt. Swapan Chaudhuri for the last 5 years. Shripad has accompanied artists at the Ustad Amir Khan Music Festival since it was founded.

Ustad Amir Khan Music Festival 2023, by Intonation Foundation
Morning Session | Saayan Mitra | Sarod
Accompanied by Pradosh Sarkar on tabla

ABOUT THE ARTISTS

Saayan Mitra is a sarodist in the tradition of the Maihar-Senia gharana. He was introduced to sarode at a young age by his father and his formal learning began under the tutelage of his guru, Shri Bruce Hamm 14 years ago. Besides pursuing music he works at Adobe Research.

Pradosh Sarkar

Pradosh Sarkar is an engineer by profession and a passionate Tabla enthusiast. He was initiated into Tabla at a young age by his father, Shri Paresh C Sarkar. Later on he went to learn from Late shri Uttam Chakraborty, a prominent disciple of Pandit Swapan Chaudhuri. For the past 17 years, he has been training under the guidance of Padmashri Pandit Swapan Chaudhuri himself. Pradosh is a regular accompanist in the bay area.

Ustad Amir Khan Music Festival 2023, by Intonation Foundation
Morning Session | Kanika Pandey | vocals
Accompanied by Prashant Phatak on harmonium and Shripad Torvi on tabla

ABOUT THE ARTISTS

Kanika Pandey is a performing artist with a prolific imagination, an educator with a clear vision and dedication, and a passionate being with deep desire to give back to the community. Born in a music loving and musically dedicated family in Jaipur (India), Kanika was initiated into music by her father Pt. S. S. Pandey, who is an accomplished sangeet guru himself, thus music was an integral part of her growing up years.

After receiving a solid foundation in music from her father, in 1995, Kanika began her taleem (training) under the tutelage of the finest maestros, Padma Vibhushan Pts. Rajan and Sajan Mishra of Banaras gharana, learning the subtle nuances and stylistic techniques of the art form.

Prashant Phatak

Prashant Phatak is a self taught harmonium player. He has accompanied many artists such as Shrimati Shubhangi Sakhalkar over the past 20 years. He is currently learning Hindustani vocal from Shrimati Sakhalkar.

Shripad Torvi

Shripad Torvi was introduced to Tabla in early childhood by his uncle, vocalist Pt. Vinayak Torvi. His formal education began after coming to the US, where he learned from Shri. Abhinay Padhye for about 5 years. Shripad has accompanied many artists locally and visiting artists from India. He has been continuing his tabla lessons from Tabla Maestro Pt. Swapan Chaudhuri for the last 5 years. Shripad has accompanied artists at the Ustad Amir Khan Music Festival since it was founded.

Ustad Amir Khan Music Festival 2023, by Intonation Foundation
Afternoon Session | Suruchi Alawani | vocals

ABOUT THE ARTISTS

Sangeet Visharad, Vocalist, Hindustani Classical Music
Akhil Bhartiya Gandharva Mahavidyalay, Mumbai
Suruchi Alawani was introduced to music at the age of 7 by my mother. She started the formal training of Hindustani Classical Music under the guidance of Mrs. Ranjana Bhide (Pune, India) and completed Sangeet Visharad. She is still continuing her study of Hindustani Classical Music in the US under the guidance of Mrs. Shubhangi Sakhalkar who is a disciple of Dr. Prabha Atre and Vidushi Padma Talwalkar.

Prashant Phatak

Prashant Phatak is a self taught harmonium player. He has accompanied many artists such as Shrimati Shubhangi Sakhalkar over the past 20 years. He is currently learning Hindustani vocal from Shrimati Sakhalkar.

Shripad Torvi

Shripad Torvi was introduced to Tabla in early childhood by his uncle, vocalist Pt. Vinayak Torvi. His formal education began after coming to the US, where he learned from Shri. Abhinay Padhye for about 5 years. Shripad has accompanied many artists locally and visiting artists from India. He has been continuing his tabla lessons from Tabla Maestro Pt. Swapan Chaudhuri for the last 5 years. Shripad has accompanied artists at the Ustad Amir Khan Music Festival since it was founded.

Ustad Amir Khan Music Festival 2023, by Intonation Foundation
Afternoon Session | Nidhi Agrawal | vocals
Accompanied by Prashant Phatak on harmonium and Shripad Torvi on tabla

ABOUT THE ARTISTS

Nidhi has had an interest in classical music since her childhood. At the age of 19, she began her formal training under the renowned artist of Jaipur Gharana Dr. Alka Deo Marulkar ji in the guru shishya parampara in 2010. She has also completed her Ph.D in Music from University of Delhi. Her guru's gayaki is the amalgamation of Jaipur, Kirana and agra gharana, which is the style she tries to follow.

Prashant Phatak

Prashant Phatak is a self taught harmonium player. He has accompanied many artists such as Shrimati Shubhangi Sakhalkar over the past 20 years. He is currently learning Hindustani vocal from Shrimati Sakhalkar.

Shripad Torvi

Shripad Torvi was introduced to Tabla in early childhood by his uncle, vocalist Pt. Vinayak Torvi. His formal education began after coming to the US, where he learned from Shri. Abhinay Padhye for about 5 years. Shripad has accompanied many artists locally and visiting artists from India. He has been continuing his tabla lessons from Tabla Maestro Pt. Swapan Chaudhuri for the last 5 years. Shripad has accompanied artists at the Ustad Amir Khan Music Festival since it was founded.

Ustad Amir Khan Music Festival 2023, by Intonation Foundation
Evening Session | Kunal Bhandarkar | Bansuri
Accompanied by Ravi Gutala

ABOUT THE ARTISTS

Kunal Bhandarkar has been immersed in Indian Classical Music since he was born and began learning tabla at age four. As he grew older, he began learning bansuri from his father, Prasad Bhandarkar, and has studied under him ever since.

He is honored to have the privilege of performing at the Ustad Amir Khan Music Festival and hopes you enjoy what he plays.

Ravi Gutala

Ravi was initiated at a very early age into Tabla by Shri P. Anjaiah, in Hyderabad, India and has been studying Tabla under Maestro Swapan Chaudhuri at Ali Akbar College since 1990. He has been teaching Tabla in South Bay for the past 25 years.

Ravi was a recipient of All India National Talent Search Scholarship and was a regular performer at AIR, Hyderabad. He has accompanied many noted artistes such as, Pt.Jasraj, Dr. Balamurali Krishna, Dr L. Subramaniam, Smt.Lakshmi Shankar, Shri Anup Jalota, Master Shashank etc. Ravi has played on 14 CD recordings and performed in over 980 concerts/recordings.

Ravi designs 3D IC chips for a living!

Ustad Amir Khan Music Festival 2023, by Intonation Evening Session | Shubhangi Sakhalkar | vocals
Accompanied by Vivek Datar on harmonium and Ravi Gutala on tabla

ABOUT THE ARTISTS

Shubhangi Sakhalkar is one of the founders of the Ustad Amir Khan Music Festival. Shubhangi brings a brilliant pedigree to her music from the early years of tutelage from Mrs. Kunda Vaishampayan, followed by the devoted learning from the renowned artists, Dr. Prabha Atre and her present guru Smt. Padma Talwalkar and years of ardent "riyaaz".

She has performed in several musical circles and events in India and has accompanied her guru in concerts all over the country, including the highly regarded Savai Gandharva music festival.

Ravi Gutala

Ravi was initiated at a very early age into Tabla by Shri P.Anjaiah, in Hyderabad, India and has been studying Tabla under Maestro Swapan Chaudhuri at Ali Akbar College since 1990. He has been teaching Tabla in South Bay for the past 20 years.
Ravi was recipient of All India National Talent Search Scholarship and was a regular performer at AIR, Hyderabad. He has accompanied many noted artistes such as, Pt.Jasraj, Dr Balamurali Krishna, Smt.Lakshmi Shankar, Dr.L.Subramaniam, Shri Anup Jalota, Master Shashank etc. and has played on 14 CD recordings.

Vivek Datar

Vivek learnt art of harmonium solo and accompaniment from (late) Pt. Vinayakrao Kale, who was a Gwalior Gharana vocalist. Kalebua was a prolific composer, with more than 800 compositions of his own. Vivek has taught several of them to his disciples in bay area. Currently Vivek learns from Vidushi Seema Shirodkar as and when time permits. Seema hails from Mumbai, and is a disciple of Pandit Tulsidas Borkar. 

Vivek has accompanied several noted artists such as Vidushi Veena Sahastrabuddhe, Vishushi Ashwini Bhide-Deshpande, Vidushi Padma Talwalkar, Pt Arun Dravid, Pt Madhav Gudi. He has keen interest in tuning theory and applications. He co-created a unique changeable-reed harmonium with Hinge Brothers from Mumbai.

Vivek resides and teaches in the Bay Area.

Devangi Vivrekar performs Raag Bhatiyar at the Ustad Amir Khan Music Festival on October 8th, 2022. Accompanied by Prashant Phatak and Shripad Torvi. Tanpura by Janaki Vivrekar.

ABOUT THE ARTISTS

Devangi Vivrekar is a Hindustani classical vocalist from San Jose, California. She began her training at the age of 8 under Smt. Anupama Chandatreya, and has continued under the tutelage of Smt. Shubhangi Sakhalkar since the age of 10. As a young artist, she won several Bay Area music competitions, and she has performed at several events in the U.S.

Shripad Torvi

Shripad Torvi was introduced to Tabla in early childhood by his uncle, vocalist Pt. Vinayak Torvi. His formal education began after coming to the US, where he learned from Shri. Abhinay Padhye for about 5 years. Shripad has accompanied many artists locally and visiting artists from India. He has been continuing his tabla lessons from Tabla Maestro Pt. Swapan Chaudhuri for the last 5 years.

Prashant Phatak

Prashant Phatak is a self taught harmonium player. He has accompanied many artists such as Shrimati Shubhangi Sakhalkar over the past 20 years. He is currently learning Hindustani vocal from Shrimati Shubhangi Sakhalkar.

Preeti Tamhankar performs Raag Charukeshi at the Ustad Amir Khan Music Festival on October 8th, 2022. Accompanied by Manoj Tamhankar and Tanmay Bichu.

ABOUT THE ARTISTS

Preeti Tamhankar started learning singing from her parents, and then was lucky to learn from Vidushi Veena Sahasrabuddhe. She then was blessed with the opportunity to learn from Pt. Vijay Koparkar, and has been learning for the past 12 years. She also learns Kathak under the guidance of Smt. Anuradha Nag. Preeti is a recent graduate from UCLA and currently works as a UX Designer for a startup.

Manoj Tamhankar

Manoj Tamhankar learnt basics of Harmonium playing from Shri Haribaba Khare of Guhagar in Konkan region of Maharashtra. For the last 20+ years, he has accompanied many artists from the Bay Area as well as had opportunities to accompany visiting well known artists from India such as Vidushi late Dr. Veena Sahasrabuddhe, Pandit Vijay Koparkar, Pandita Shalmali Joshi, Pandita Shubhada Paradkar, Dr. Alka Deo Marulkar, Vidushi Arti Ankalikar et al. He has a keen interest in composing music and has 2 albums published to his music credit and has provided music to numerous shows as well.

Along with his wife Archana, he also teaches Hindustani Classical music to the younger generation of the Bay Area.

Tanmay Bichu

Tanmay Bichu began learning tabla since the age of 6, under Shree Manohar Pimpalaskar. He has been taking advanced training under Pt. Ramdas Palsule for more than 10 years and is now learning under Pt. Swapan Chaudhuri at the Ali Akbar College of Music. He has performed several Tabla solos in India and the US and is a sought after accompanist for all formats of Indian Classical Music - vocal, instrumental and dance.

Achyut Joshi performs Raag Alhaiya Bilawal at the Ustad Amir Khan Music Festival on October 8th, 2022. Accompanied by Shripad Torvi and Vivek Datar.

ABOUT THE ARTISTS

Achyut Joshi is a Hindustani vocalist of the Jaipur-Atrauli gharana. Raised in New York, he learns khayal from Pt. Raghunandan Panshikar and thumri/dadra from Vidushi Subhra Guha of the Agra Gharana. He has also learned from Smt. Shubhangi Sakhalkar.

Shripad Torvi

Shripad Torvi was introduced to Tabla in early childhood by his uncle, vocalist Pt. Vinayak Torvi. His formal education began after coming to the US, where he learned from Shri. Abhinay Padhye for about 5 years. Shripad has accompanied many artists locally and visiting artists from India. He has been continuing his tabla lessons from Tabla Maestro Pt. Swapan Chaudhuri for the last 5 years.

Vivek Datar

Vivek learnt art of harmonium solo and accompaniment from (late) Pt. Vinayakrao Kale, who was a Gwalior Gharana vocalist. Kalebua was a prolific composer, with more than 800 compositions of his own. Vivek has taught several of them to his disciples in bay area. Currently Vivek learns from Vidushi Seema Shirodkar as and when time permits. Seema hails from Mumbai, and is a disciple of Pandit Tulsidas Borkar.

Vivek has accompanied several noted artists such as Vidushi Veena Sahastrabuddhe, Vishushi Ashwini Bhide-Deshpande, Vidushi Padma Talwalkar, Pt Arun Dravid, Pt Madhav Gudi. He has keen interest in tuning theory and applications. He co-created a unique changeable-reed harmonium with Hinge Brothers from Mumbai.

Vivek resides and teaches in the Bay Area.

Arush Joshi performs a tabla solo in Teen Taal at the Ustad Amir Khan Music Festival on October 8th, 2022.

Arush is a rising junior at the University of Washington Seattle. He has learned tabla for the past 12 years from gurus Shri Shripad Torvi and Padmashree Pandit Swapan Chaudhuri. He has performed with budding instrumentalists and vocalists in the Bay Area.

Krishna Veni Mellachervu performs Raag Shuddha Sarang at the Ustad Amir Khan Music Festival on October 8th, 2022. Accompanied by Prashant Phatak and Shripad Torvi.

ABOUT THE ARTISTS

Krishna Mellachervu started learning Hindustani classical music at an age of 10 yrs from Smt Sumitra Bhattacharya in Ranchi, India. As a kid she participated and won in several competitions and was also selected as a child artist to perform in AIR under classical music category. After coming to US she learnt music from Sri Sandeep Ranade for 4 years. She has been learning from Smt Shubhangi Sakhalkar since 2018.

Shripad Torvi

Shripad Torvi was introduced to Tabla in early childhood by his uncle, vocalist Pt. Vinayak Torvi. His formal education began after coming to the US, where he learned from Shri. Abhinay Padhye for about 5 years. Shripad has accompanied many artists locally and visiting artists from India. He has been continuing his tabla lessons from Tabla Maestro Pt. Swapan Chaudhuri for the last 5 years.

Prashant Phatak

Prashant Phatak is a self taught harmonium player. He has accompanied many artists such as Shrimati Shubhangi Sakhalkar over the past 20 years. He is currently learning Hindustani vocal from Shrimati Shubhangi Sakhalkar.

Bruce Hamm performs Raag Bhimpalasi at the Ustad Amir Khan Music Festival on October 8th, 2022. Accompanied by Ravi Gutala.

ABOUT THE ARTISTS

Bruce Hamm is a gandabandha shishya of Ustad Ali Akbar Khan. He has performed on sarod all over the world and has played onstage with his Guru. He has played with many of India's leading tabla players, including Pandit Swapan Chaudhuri. He is a respected teacher in the Bay Area.

Ravi Gutala

Ravi was initiated at a very early age into Tabla by Shri P. Anjaiah, in Hyderabad, India and has been studying Tabla under Maestro Swapan Chaudhuri at Ali Akbar College since 1990. He has been teaching Tabla in South Bay for the past 20 years.

Ravi was recipient of All India National Talent Search Scholarship and was a regular performer at AIR, Hyderabad. He has accompanied many noted artistes such as, Pt.Jasraj, Dr. Balamurali Krishna, Smt.Lakshmi Shankar, Dr. L. Subramaniam, Shri Anup Jalota, Master Shashank etc. and has played on 14 CD recordings.

Visham Pathak at Ustad Amir Khan Music Festival, October 8th, 2022. Accompanied by Tanmay Bichu.

ABOUT THE ARTISTS

Visham has been learning sitar since the age of 7 from Dr. Prasad Joglekar and from Pt. Partha Chaterjee for the last 3 years. Additionally, Visham has been learning Hindustani Vocals since the age of 7. Visham also received the AACM scholarship to learn from Ustad Alam Khan. Visham has performed and won many competitions and is an Indian Raga Fellow.

Tanmay Bichu

Tanmay Bichu began learning tabla since the age of 6, under Shree Manohar Pimpalaskar. He has been taking advanced training under Pt. Ramdas Palsule for more than 10 years and is now learning under Pt. Swapan Chaudhuri at the Ali Akbar College of Music. He has performed several Tabla solos in India and the US and is a sought after accompanist for all formats of Indian Classical Music - vocal, instrumental and dance.

Shishir Rao performs Raag Yaman at Ustad Amir Khan Music Festival, October 8th, 2022. Accompanied by Ravi Gutala and Vivek Data.

ABOUT THE ARTISTS

Shishir Rao has been studying Khayal under Sri. Nachiketa Yakkundi (vocals) and Sri. Vivek Datar (harmonium) for the past 20 years. In addition to performing, he hosts OxKala, a podcast focusing on traditional arts sponsored by University of Oxford's South Asian Arts Society. Shishir is currently pursuing doctoral studies in Oxford.

Ravi Gutala

Ravi was initiated at a very early age into Tabla by Shri P.Anjaiah, in Hyderabad, India and has been studying Tabla under Maestro Swapan Chaudhuri at Ali Akbar College since 1990. He has been teaching Tabla in South Bay for the past 20 years.

Ravi was recipient of All India National Talent Search Scholarship and was a regular performer at AIR, Hyderabad. He has accompanied many noted artistes such as, Pt.Jasraj, Dr. Balamurali Krishna, Smt.Lakshmi Shankar, Dr. L. Subramaniam, Shri Anup Jalota, Master Shashank etc. and has played on 14 CD recordings.

Vivek Datar

Vivek learnt art of harmonium solo and accompaniment from (late) Pt. Vinayakrao Kale, who was a Gwalior Gharana vocalist. Kalebua was a prolific composer, with more than 800 compositions of his own. Vivek has taught several of them to his disciples in bay area. Currently Vivek learns from Vidushi Seema Shirodkar as and when time permits. Seema hails from Mumbai, and is a disciple of Pandit Tulsidas Borkar.

Vivek has accompanied several noted artists such as Vidushi Veena Sahastrabuddhe, Vishushi Ashwini Bhide-Deshpande, Vidushi Padma Talwalkar, Pt Arun Dravid, Pt Madhav Gudi. He has keen interest in tuning theory and applications. He co-created a unique changeable-reed harmonium with Hinge Brothers from Mumbai. Vivek resides and teaches in the Bay Area.

Shubhangi Sakhalkar performs Raag Marwa and Raag Kalavati at the Ustad Amir Khan Music Festival on October 8th, 2022. Accompanied by Ravi Gutala and Vivek Datar. Tanpura by Arabhi Sundararajan and Ranjita Swamy.

ABOUT THE ARTISTS

Shubhangi Sakhalkar is one of the founders of the Ustad Amir Khan Music Festival. Shubhangi brings a brilliant pedigree to her music from the early years of tutelage from Mrs. Kunda Vaishampayan, followed by the devoted learning from the renowned artists, Dr. Prabha Atre and her present guru Smt. Padma Talwalkar and years of ardent "riyaaz". She has performed in several musical circles and events in India and has accompanied her guru in concerts all over the country, including the highly regarded Savai Gandharva music festival.

A gold medallist with an M.A. degree in Hindustani classical music, Shubhangi believes in sharing the knowledge and raising the awareness of Indian Classical music by teaching her students for whom she is an inspiring mentor. She hopes for the Ustad Amir Khan Music Festival to provide opportunities to young artists in North America and to promote Hindustani Classical music appreciation throughout the world.

Ravi Gutala

Ravi was initiated at a very early age into Tabla by Shri P.Anjaiah, in Hyderabad, India and has been studying Tabla under Maestro Swapan Chaudhuri at Ali Akbar College since 1990. He has been teaching Tabla in South Bay for the past 20 years.

Ravi was recipient of All India National Talent Search Scholarship and was a regular performer at AIR, Hyderabad. He has accompanied many noted artistes such as, Pt.Jasraj, Dr. Balamurali Krishna, Smt.Lakshmi Shankar, Dr. L. Subramaniam, Shri Anup Jalota, Master Shashank etc. and has played on 14 CD recordings.

Vivek Datar

Vivek learnt art of harmonium solo and accompaniment from (late) Pt. Vinayakrao Kale, who was a Gwalior Gharana vocalist. Kalebua was a prolific composer, with more than 800 compositions of his own. Vivek has taught several of them to his disciples in bay area. Currently Vivek learns from Vidushi Seema Shirodkar as and when time permits. Seema hails from Mumbai, and is a disciple of Pandit Tulsidas Borkar.

Vivek has accompanied several noted artists such as Vidushi Veena Sahastrabuddhe, Vishushi Ashwini Bhide-Deshpande, Vidushi Padma Talwalkar, Pt Arun Dravid, Pt Madhav Gudi. He has keen interest in tuning theory and applications. He co-created a unique changeable-reed harmonium with Hinge Brothers from Mumbai. Vivek resides and teaches in the Bay Area.

Roopak Phatak performs Raag Bhatiyar at Ustad Amir Khan Music Festival, June 1, 2019. Accompanied by Shripad Torvi and Prashant Phatak.

ABOUT THE ARTISTS

Roopak Phatak has been learning from Shubhangiji for the past 11 years. He has given short solo performances at Sunaad and Guru Poornima. He is a graduating senior at Lynbrook and will be attending UC Berkeley this fall. Outside of music and school, he enjoys running and watching basketball.

Shripad Torvi

Shripad Torvi was introduced to Tabla in early childhood by his uncle, vocalist Pt. Vinayak Torvi. His formal education began after coming to the US, where he learned from Shri. Abhinay Padhye for about 5 years. Shripad has accompanied many artists locally and visiting artists from India. He has been continuing his tabla lessons from Tabla Maestro Pt. Swapan Chaudhuri for the last 5 years.

Prashant Phatak

Prashant Phatak is a self taught harmonium player. He has accompanied many artists such as Shrimati Shubhangi Sakhalkar over the past 20 years. He is currently learning Hindustani vocal from Shrimati Shubhangi Sakhalkar.

Arjun Kshirsagar performs Raag Raageshri at Ustad Amir Khan Music Festival, June 1, 2019. Accompanied by Shripad Torvi.

ABOUT THE ARTISTS

Arjun is 17 years old and is a high school senior. He has been learning music since the age of 5. He began learning Hindustani Classical with Archana & Manoj Tamhankar and continues till date. Around the age of 11, under Manoj-jis tutelage Arjun started learning to play the harmonium. He started accompanying his class on the harmonium and has accompanied several artists by now. Around the same time Arjun expressed his desire to learn to play the sitar. He has been a student of Prasad Jogalekar-ji for the past 6 years and performs routinely.

Shripad Torvi

Shripad Torvi was introduced to Tabla in early childhood by his uncle, vocalist Pt. Vinayak Torvi. His formal education began after coming to the US, where he learned from Shri. Abhinay Padhye for about 5 years. Shripad has accompanied many artists locally and visiting artists from India. He has been continuing his tabla lessons from Tabla Maestro Pt. Swapan Chaudhuri for the last 5 years.

Anupama Chandratreya at Ustad Amir Khan Music Festival, June 1, 2019. Accompanied by Tanmay Bichu and Vivek Datar.

ABOUT THE ARTISTS

Anupama Chandratreya is a versatile vocalist in the San Francisco Bay Area. Her repertoire includes a wide variety of all Gayaki (singing) styles including Hindustani Classical, Light Indian vocal, Ghazal, Bhajan, Bhavgeet, and Folk music. Anupama was groomed at a young age in Hindustani Classical music by her mother Dr. Jyoti Dhamdheri, and received further training from Ustad Mohomad Hussein Khan and T.D. Janorikar. Renowned artist Smt. Veena Sahasrabudhe has also coached Anupama in refining her Hindustani vocal training.

After completing her Masters Degree in Hindustani Classical music and moving to the USA, Anupama continued with her training, riyaaz, and performing. She has performed in several music events and delighted audiences in India, USA, and Canada for over twenty years. Anupama established her own Saptak Music School in Cupertino to preserve, develop, and propagate Indian classical and traditional music. She has a large student base from all ages. Today she is recognized as a fine mentor, teacher, and artist who enriches and passes on the Hindustani music tradition and knowledge to her listeners and students.

Tanmay Bichu

Tanmay Bichu began learning tabla since the age of 6, under Shree Manohar Pimpalaskar. He has been taking advanced training under Pt. Ramdas Palsule for more than 10 years and is now learning under Pt. Swapan Chaudhuri at the Ali Akbar College of Music. He has performed several Tabla solos in India and the US and is a sought after accompanist for all formats of Indian Classical Music - vocal, instrumental and dance.

Vivek Datar

Vivek learnt art of harmonium solo and accompaniment from (late) Pt. Vinayakrao Kale, who was a Gwalior Gharana vocalist. Kalebua was a prolific composer, with more than 800 compositions of his own. Vivek has taught several of them to his disciples in bay area. Currently Vivek learns from Vidushi Seema Shirodkar as and when time permits. Seema hails from Mumbai, and is a disciple of Pandit Tulsidas Borkar.

Arabhi Sundararajan performs Raag Vrindavani Sarang at Ustad Amir Khan Music Festival, June 1, 2019. Accompanied by Shripad Torvi and Prashant Phatak.

ABOUT THE ARTISTS

Arabhi started learning Hindustani classical music at the age of 5 in Kanpur, India. She was initiated in classical music by her parents, who are ardent lovers of both Hindustani and Karnatik music. Arabhi got her initial training from Mrs. Snigdha Biswas (a senior disciple of Pandit Kashinath Shankar Bodas) and later from Pandit Kashinath Bodas himself. After moving to California in 2000, Arabhi has continued her advanced training under the guidance of Shrimati Shubhangi Sakhalkar. She has given solo performances at many platforms like LOTUS, ICC, Basant Bahar, Sangati Center, and Badarikashrama in the Bay Area.

Arabhi also gives music lessons to music enthusiasts of all ages, because she strongly believes in passing on her knowledge of pure classical music to the next generation and sharing her passion.

She is equally passionate about Mathematics, and is a faculty in the math department at De Anza.

Shripad Torvi

Shripad Torvi was introduced to Tabla in early childhood by his uncle, vocalist Pt. Vinayak Torvi. His formal education began after coming to the US, where he learned from Shri. Abhinay Padhye for about 5 years. Shripad has accompanied many artists locally and visiting artists from India. He has been continuing his tabla lessons from Tabla Maestro Pt. Swapan Chaudhuri for the last 5 years.

Prashant Phatak

Prashant Phatak is a self taught harmonium player. He has accompanied many artists such as Shrimati Shubhangi Sakhalkar over the past 20 years. He is currently learning Hindustani vocal from Shrimati Shubhangi Sakhalkar.

Vikram Shrowty at Ustad Amir Khan Music Festival, June 1, 2019. Accompanied by Tanmay Bichu on tabla.

ABOUT THE ARTISTS

Vikram Shrowty is based in the San Francisco Bay Area and is a student of Pandit Debashish Bhattacharya, the maestro of Hindustani slide guitar. He has also received training in the past from Smt. Sisirkana Dhar Chowdhury and currently from Pandit Parthapratim Chatterjee.

Tanmay Bichu

Tanmay Bichu began learning tabla since the age of 6, under Shree Manohar Pimpalaskar. He has been taking advanced training under Pt. Ramdas Palsule for more than 10 years and is now learning under Pt. Swapan Chaudhuri at the Ali Akbar College of Music. He has performed several Tabla solos in India and the US and is a sought after accompanist for all formats of Indian Classical Music - vocal, instrumental and dance.

Madhuvanti Bhide at Ustad Amir Khan Music Festival, June 1, 2019. Accompanied by Tanmay Bichu and Manoj Tamhankar.

ABOUT THE ARTISTS

Hindustani Classical Vocalist Madhuvanti Bhide got a solid training for about 9 years from her Gurus, Dr. Alka Deo Marulkar and Alkatai's father Late Pt. Rajabhao Deo. She obtained her Bachelor of Performing Arts from Lalit Kala Kendra, Pune University. She also received the prestigious Scholarship from the Govt. of India. Madhuvanti has received Sangeet Visharad from Gandharva Mahavidyalaya, Pune.

Along with many awards, she was awarded the Gandharva Award at the Ayurvedic Association of Professionals in North America.

Madhuvanti's golden voice and poignant rendering is a powerful combination that captivates the audience wherever she performs. Resident of the Bay Area, Madhuvanti has given stellar performances throughout North America, India, and Singapore, and continues to do so. Madhuvanti has two published albums "Arpan", and "Ase Sur Gave". She enjoys and performs semi classical, Hindi/Marathi light music. Madhuvanti enjoys training students of all ages. She continues to learn from her Guru, Dr. Alka Deo Marulkar.

Tanmay Bichu

Tanmay Bichu began learning tabla since the age of 6, under Shree Manohar Pimpalaskar. He has been taking advanced training under Pt. Ramdas Palsule for more than 10 years and is now learning under Pt. Swapan Chaudhuri at the Ali Akbar College of Music. He has performed several Tabla solos in India and the US and is a sought after accompanist for all formats of Indian Classical Music - vocal, instrumental and dance.

Manoj Tamhankar

Manoj Tamhankar learnt basics of Harmonium playing from Shri Haribaba Khare of Guhagar in Konkan region of Maharashtra. For the last 20+ years, he has accompanied many artists from the Bay Area as well as had opportunities to accompany visiting well known artists from India such as Vidushi late Dr. Veena Sahasrabuddhe, Pandit Vijay Koparkar, Pandita Shalmali Joshi, Pandita Shubhada Paradkar, Dr. Alka Deo Marulkar, Vidushi Arti Ankalikar et al. He has a keen interest in composing music and has 2 albums published to his music credit and has provided music to numerous shows as well. Along with his wife Archana, he also teaches Hindustani Classical music to the younger generation of the Bay Area.

Prasad Bhandarkar at Ustad Amir Khan Music Festival, June 1, 2019. Accompanied by Vikas Yendluri.

ABOUT THE ARTISTS

Prasad Bhandarkar started learning Hindustani music when he was 8 years old. He was initiated into classical music by his mother. Prasad got his initial training on Harmonium and Hindustani vocal music.

During his engineering college years, Prasad wanted to learn a solo performing instrument and happened to attend a concert by the renowned maestro Padma Vibhushan Pandit Hari Prasad Chaurasia in Gunidaas Sammelan in Mumbai. The simplicity of the Bansuri flute and Hariji's playing style really appealed to him. Soon he started learning Bansuri from Shri Anantrao Patwardhan of Mumbai. In 1988, he was fortunate to become student of Pandit Hari Prasad Chaurasia. Prasad derives strong influence from Pandit Chaurasia’s emotional and soulful style of playing Bansuri. In recent years, Prasad has been learning music from the noted Sitar player of Maihar Gharana, Pandit Partha Chatterjee who is one of the prominent disciples of the late Pandit Nikhil Banerjee. Partha-da perfectly combines the gayaki (vocal) and and tantrakari (string instrumental) styles in his music and Prasad finds this approach very attractive and replicable in Bansuri.

Vikas Yendluri

Vikas Yendluri is a tabla artist in the tradition of Punjab, and a disciple of Sri Arshad Syed since the age of 5. He has also been studying with Ustad Zakir Hussain. Vikas has accompanied some of the most illustrious artists of Indian classical music in concerts across the United States.

Ranjita Swamy performs Raag Lalit at the 2018 Ustad Amir Khan Music Festival. Accompanied by Prashant Phatak on harmonium and Shripad Torvi on tabla.

ABOUT THE ARTISTS

Ranjita Swamy started her Hindustani classical vocal training at the age of 5 from Pt. K.S.Naik in Bangalore. Her Guruji laid a very firm foundation for her advanced training in the later years. In high school, she continued training from Pt. Veerabhadraiah Hiremath of Gadag, based in Mysore. She continued her training in Bangalore after her graduation, from Pt.Indudhar Nirody ji.

After moving to Bay Area, she took music lessons from Smt. Jayanti Sahasrabuddhe ji for a brief period. 

Currently, she is training under Smt. Shubhangi Sakhalkar ji who is one of the most sought after teachers and performers in the Bay Area. She feels very blessed and fortunate to be able to receive her constant guidance and direction at each step of my musical journey. 

She works as a computer engineer for a living.

Prashant Phatak

Prashant Phatak is a self taught harmonium player. He has accompanied many artists such as Shrimati Shubhangi Sakhalkar over the past 20 years. He is currently learning Hindustani vocal from Shrimati Sakhalkar.

Shripad Torvi

Shripad Torvi was introduced to Tabla in early childhood by his uncle, vocalist Pt. Vinayak Torvi. His formal education began after coming to the US, where he learned from Shri. Abhinay Padhye for about 5 years. Shripad has accompanied many artists locally and visiting artists from India. He has been continuing his tabla lessons from Tabla Maestro Pt. Swapan Chaudhuri for the last 5 years.

Rohan Joshi performs Raag Todi at Ustad Amir Khan Music Festival, May 19, 2018. Accompanied by Rahul Joshi.

ABOUT THE ARTISTS

Rohan has been learning Harmonium for last 9 yrs from Guru Vivek Datar, disciple of Sri Vinayakrao Kale of the Gwalior Gharana. Rohan also learns sitar from his guru Dr. Prasad Jogalekar, disciple of Sitar Maestro Ustad Abdul Halim Jaffer Khan. He has accompanied various artists in the Bay Area on the harmonium. Rohan is currently a freshman at UC Berkeley.

Rahul Joshi

Rahul Joshi just completed his second year at UC Berkeley. He is majoring in Molecular and Cell Biology. He has learned Hindustani classical vocal from Smt. Shubhangi Sakhalkar. He has also learned table from Shri Ravi Gutala and Pandit Swapan Chaudhuri.

Ashwini Khaparde performs at Ustad Amir Khan Music Festival on May 19, 2018. Accompanied by Shripad Torvi and Vivek Datar.

ABOUT THE ARTISTS

Smt Ashwini Khaparde began her initiation of music at the age of 5 under the guidance of her father, Shri Shashikant Thombre. Subsequently, she learned from the eminent Dr. Usha Paarkhi of the Kirana Gharana. It was under her guidance that she passed Sangeet Alankar. She has continued to learn from Dr. Ashwini Bhide-Deshpande of the Jaipur-Atrauli gharana. Ashwini combines the two gharanas easily and melodiously, bringing out the best of both gharanas.. Ashwini's large repertoire includes Marathi Natyasangeet, Abhanga and other semi classical forms. She has performed in India and the USA at various platforms. For the past 20 years Ashwini has been teaching classical music in the bay area through her organization Swarasadhana. She is very passionate about teaching.

Shripad Torvi

Shripad Torvi was introduced to Tabla in early childhood by his uncle, vocalist Pt. Vinayak Torvi. His formal education began after coming to the US, where he learned from Shri. Abhinay Padhye for about 5 years. Shripad has accompanied many artists locally and visiting artists from India. He has been continuing his tabla lessons from Tabla Maestro Pt. Swapan Chaudhuri for the last 5 years.

Vivek Datar

Vivek learnt art of harmonium solo and accompaniment from (late) Pt. Vinayakrao Kale, who was a Gwalior Gharana vocalist. Kalebua was a prolific composer, with more than 800 compositions of his own. Vivek has taught several of them to his disciples in bay area. Currently Vivek learns from Vidushi Seema Shirodkar as and when time permits. Seema hails from Mumbai, and is a disciple of Pandit Tulsidas Borkar. Vivek has accompanied several noted artists such as Vidushi Veena Sahastrabuddhe, Vishushi Ashwini Bhide-Deshpande, Vidushi Padma Talwalkar, Pt Arun Dravid, Pt Madhav Gudi. He has keen interest in tuning theory and applications. He co-created a unique changeable-reed harmonium with Hinge Brothers from Mumbai. Vivek resides and teaches in the Bay Area.

Jayanti Deshmukh performs Raag Bhimpalas at Ustad Amir Khan Music Festival, May 19, 2018. Accompanied by Shripad Torvi and Prashant Phatak.

ABOUT THE ARTISTS

Jayanti Deshmukh has started her music at an early age of 5 under the guidance of her mother Smt. Anita Athavale (Disciple of Vidushi Padma Talwalkar). She mainly acquired training in the tradition of Jaipur Gharana. Currently she is under the guidance of Smt. Shubhangi Sakhalkar (Disciple of Dr Prabha Atre and Vidushi Padma Talwalkar).

Jayanti is also trained in semi classical and light music. She was amongst top 15 contestants all over USA at the semifinal held in Boston by BMM Saregama in 2013. She has performed in various house concerts, cultural festivals like Discover India organized by India Association of Phoenix & in religious organizations. Jayanti has completed “Sangeet Visharad” (graduate degree) in Indian Classical music with first rank from Akhil Bharatiya Gandharva Mahavidyalaya Mandal, Mumbai for which she was awarded with “Tarabai Dixit Memorable Award” by prestigious organization Dadar-Matunga Cultural Centre, Mumbai – India.

Shripad Torvi

Shripad Torvi was introduced to Tabla in early childhood by his uncle, vocalist Pt. Vinayak Torvi. His formal education began after coming to the US, where he learned from Shri. Abhinay Padhye for about 5 years. Shripad has accompanied many artists locally and visiting artists from India. He has been continuing his tabla lessons from Tabla Maestro Pt. Swapan Chaudhuri for the last 5 years.

Prashant Phatak

Prashant Phatak is a self taught harmonium player. He has accompanied many artists such as Shrimati Shubhangi Sakhalkar over the past 20 years. He is currently learning Hindustani vocal from Shrimati Sakhalkar.

Nachiketa Yakkundi performs at Ustad Amir Khan Music Festival, on May 19, 2018. Accompanied by Ravi Gutala and Vivek Datar. Rochan Yakkundi on vocal support.

ABOUT THE ARTISTS

Hailing from Dharwad, Nachiketa Yakkundi was initiated into Hindustani vocal music by his parents. His formal study began in Madras under Shri B. N. Simha and later under Shri B. Hanumantachar. His rigorous and extended pedagogy came under the virtuoso late Padmabhushan Pandit Basavraj Rajguru. Nachiketa has performed in several cities across India and North America. A resident of the San Francisco Bay Area, he runs the Rajguru Sangeet Vidyaniketan school of music.

Ravi Gutala

Ravi was initiated at a very early age into Tabla by Shri P.Anjaiah, in Hyderabad, India and has been studying Tabla under Maestro Swapan Chaudhuri at Ali Akbar College since 1990. He has been teaching Tabla in South Bay for the past 20 years.

Ravi was recipient of All India National Talent Search Scholarship and was a regular performer at AIR, Hyderabad. He has accompanied many noted artistes such as, Pt.Jasraj, Dr Balamurali Krishna, Smt.Lakshmi Shankar, Dr.L.Subramaniam, Shri Anup Jalota, Master Shashank etc. and has played on 14 CD recordings.

Ravi designs 3D IC chips for a living!

Vivek Datar

Vivek learnt art of harmonium solo and accompaniment from (late) Pt. Vinayakrao Kale, who was a Gwalior Gharana vocalist. Kalebua was a prolific composer, with more than 800 compositions of his own. Vivek has taught several of them to his disciples in bay area. Currently Vivek learns from Vidushi Seema Shirodkar as and when time permits. Seema hails from Mumbai, and is a disciple of Pandit Tulsidas Borkar.

Vivek has accompanied several noted artists such as Vidushi Veena Sahastrabuddhe, Vishushi Ashwini Bhide-Deshpande, Vidushi Padma Talwalkar, Pt Arun Dravid, Pt Madhav Gudi. He has keen interest in tuning theory and applications. He co-created a unique changeable-reed harmonium with Hinge Brothers from Mumbai.

Vivek resides and teaches in the Bay Area.

Prasad Jogalekar performs at Ustad Amir Khan Music Festival on May 19, 2018. Accompanied by Ravi Gutala.

ABOUT THE ARTISTS

Dr. Prasad Jogalekar, a computer engineer by the day and Sitar player by the night and weekends, draws his inspiration from music stalwarts in instrumental as well as vocal traditions. Prasad is very fortunate to be a disciple of Late Ustad Abdul Halim Jaffer Khan and Pandit Partha Chatterjee. He has also learnt nuances of Vilayatkhani style of sitar from Ustad Shahid Parvez. Earlier he learnt music from his parents and Smt. Phadke from Pune. In spite of playing Sitar at odd hours his family, students and neighbors still love him. He has played in many concerts, including some collaborations with the San Jose Chamber Orchestra and Sacramento Chamber Orchestra, and has done guest lectures in Sitar at Stanford, Mills College and UC Davis.

Ravi Gutala

Ravi was initiated at a very early age into Tabla by Shri P.Anjaiah, in Hyderabad, India and has been studying Tabla under Maestro Swapan Chaudhuri at Ali Akbar College since 1990. He has been teaching Tabla in South Bay for the past 20 years.

Ravi was recipient of All India National Talent Search Scholarship and was a regular performer at AIR, Hyderabad. He has accompanied many noted artistes such as, Pt.Jasraj, Dr Balamurali Krishna, Smt.Lakshmi Shankar, Dr.L.Subramaniam, Shri Anup Jalota, Master Shashank etc. and has played on 14 CD recordings.

Ravi designs 3D IC chips for a living!

Shubhangi Sakhalkar performs at Ustad Amir Khan Music Festival on May 19, 2018. Accompanied by Ravi Gutala and Vivek Datar.

ABOUT THE ARTISTS

Shubhangi Sakhalkar is one of the founders of the Ustad Amir Khan Music Festival. Shubhangi brings a brilliant pedigree to her music from the early years of tutelage from Mrs. Kunda Vaishampayan, followed by the devoted learning from the renowned artists, Dr. Prabha Atre and her present guru Smt. Padma Talwalkar and years of ardent "riyaaz". She has performed in several musical circles and events in India and has accompanied her guru in concerts all over the country, including the highly regarded Savai Gandharva music festival.

A gold medallist with an M.A. degree in Hindustani classical music, Shubhangi believes in sharing the knowledge and raising the awareness of Indian Classical music by teaching her students for whom she is an inspiring mentor. She hopes for the Ustad Amir Khan Music Festival to provide opportunities to young artists in North America and to promote Hindustani Classical music appreciation throughout the world.

Ravi Gutala

Ravi was initiated at a very early age into Tabla by Shri P.Anjaiah, in Hyderabad, India and has been studying Tabla under Maestro Swapan Chaudhuri at Ali Akbar College since 1990. He has been teaching Tabla in South Bay for the past 20 years.

Ravi was recipient of All India National Talent Search Scholarship and was a regular performer at AIR, Hyderabad. He has accompanied many noted artistes such as, Pt.Jasraj, Dr Balamurali Krishna, Smt.Lakshmi Shankar, Dr.L.Subramaniam, Shri Anup Jalota, Master Shashank etc. and has played on 14 CD recordings.

Ravi designs 3D IC chips for a living!

Vivek Datar

Vivek learnt art of harmonium solo and accompaniment from (late) Pt. Vinayakrao Kale, who was a Gwalior Gharana vocalist. Kalebua was a prolific composer, with more than 800 compositions of his own. Vivek has taught several of them to his disciples in bay area. Currently Vivek learns from Vidushi Seema Shirodkar as and when time permits. Seema hails from Mumbai, and is a disciple of Pandit Tulsidas Borkar.

Vivek has accompanied several noted artists such as Vidushi Veena Sahastrabuddhe, Vishushi Ashwini Bhide-Deshpande, Vidushi Padma Talwalkar, Pt Arun Dravid, Pt Madhav Gudi. He has keen interest in tuning theory and applications. He co-created a unique changeable-reed harmonium with Hinge Brothers from Mumbai.

Vivek resides and teaches in the Bay Area.