Vikas Kashalkar

Vikas Kashalkar is an Hindustani classical vocalist. Known for contributions to Hindustani classical music, performance, teaching, and repertoire building.

He has given a number of performances in various cities all over India and abroad. He is a regular All India Radioartist and has also given many programmes on Doordarshan. A programme ‘Malhar ke Prakar’ conceived by him was presented at various All India Radio stations and received a great applause from the audience. He conceived another programme ‘Kalyan Ke Prakar’ which was also presented at different places. He is actively engaged in Music Direction. Recently he has given music to two ballets – one on Bhagwan Mahavir and the other on BhagwanNeminath. He has to his credit a number of articles on music. His lectures are a regular feature in Lalit KalaKendra, University of Poona. He conducted a workshop in Lalit Kala Kendra on ‘Riyaz’ which proved fruitful to the upcoming artists. He has delivered speeches at various seminars and workshops all over India. A number of students are seeking his guidance for higher studies in Music. Many of his students have been awarded with ‘Sangeetacharya’ degree as well as Ph. D.

He has a large repertoire of uncommon and mixed ragas and he presents many of them with great mastery and ease. Apart fromPt. Gajananrao Joshi, Pt. Mallikarjun Mansur, Surashri KesarbaiKerkar and Pt. Bhimsen Joshi also influenced him. His Tana patterns incorporate the behlaos peculiar to Jaipur style. His tana patterns have different varieties like saral, vakra, bol tana, mukhbandi and so on. He is also a composer of new bandishes. His voice is distinctively known for quality, volume and vigor. He is gifted with a mellifluous and flexible voice and tremendous ability to make an immediate impact on the audience. Connoisseurs and common listeners alike enjoy his concerts. He also effectively presents Thumris, Bhajans at times. The effectiveness of his music is greatly enhanced by his joyous and amiable disposition. He is also continuously involved in exploring new possibilities of Tana pattern.

Dr.Kashalkar is a member of the Research and RecognitionCommittee at the University of Pune and Goa. He is also a member of the syllabus framing committee of the Akhil Bharatiya Gandharva Mahavidyalaya, Mumbai