Vikas Kashalkar

An accomplished vocalist of the GwaliorGharana , Dr. Vikas N. Kashalkar hails from a family with music tradition. His father,Advocate N. D. Kashalkar was a renowned musicologist and writer. Dr. Kashalkar received his basic training in classical music from his father. Further, he received his advanced training in music from Pandit Gajananrao Joshi, a stalwart of the Gwalior, Jaipur & Agra Gharana and a violin virtuoso. Dr. Kashalkar's singing reflects all the brilliant facets of systematic training : 'Talim ka Gana', in the language of the music connoisseurs. His melodious voice and intricacies of ‘Tanas’ give immense joy to the listeners. His style is deeply rooted in traditions but his imagination knows no boundaries, sky is the only limit. Hence, there is always a feeling of newness in his rendering. 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