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.