Gagandeep Hothi

Born in a music loving family on 23 August 1985, Gagandeep started his initial training in sitar, at the age of 4, from his father Mr. R.K. Singh who is himself a sitar player and the disciple of world-renowned sitarist "Pt. Budhaditya Mukherjee" and his father "Pt. Bimlendu Mukherjee", a doyen of the "Imdadkhani Gharana" of Sitar. Hence Gagandeep was brought up in a musical environment right from the very beginning. At the age of 10, Gagandeep was awarded the prestigious National Scholarship by the Ministry of Culture, Government of India, for "Sitarwadan". Gagandeep stood first for three consecutive years in the competition organized by the prestigious "Harballabh Sangeet Sammelan" held in Jalandhar (India). At the age of 10 and 11 Gagandeep won the first prize in the junior section in this very competition. At the age of 12, he created history by coming first in the Senior Section, which comprised of an age group between 16 to 35 years. The winner of the Senior Group is invited for the next year as an artist to perform along with other High Grade artists. Here too Gagandeep won the applaud and appreciation of the audience. Thereafter he displayed his skills at various other places and sought the blessings of eminent musicians and connoisseurs. On September 07, 2009; Gagandeep was conferred with the “Kshitij Kala Samman” by “Smt. Prabha Rau”, “Honorable Governor of Himachal Pradesh.” Gagandeep has also performed, for three consecutive years in the highly esteemed "Summer Festival" of Shimla. For five consecutive years (i.e. 2003,04,05,06 & 07), Gagandeep has won the first prize in the H.P. University Youth Festival. He is also amongst the winners of "All India Radio Competition, year 2003." Since the age of 10, Gagandeep has been performing all over India and Abroad. From “November 2010” to “January 2011” Gagandeep toured the United Kingdom (UK) and played various successful concerts and conducted Workshops at Southall, Slough (Berkshire), Ilford, Woolwich & East Ham (Greater London) etc. Gagandeep has also excelled academically and secured Gold Medals in Graduation, Post Graduation and M.Phil from the Himachal Pradesh University, Shimla. In June 2009, Gagandeep qualified the UGC – JRF (Junior Research Fellowship) examination and presently he is a Research Scholar of the Himachal Pradesh University, Shimla and he is learning music from “Pt Budhaditya Mukherjee” & “Pt. Bimalendu Mukherjee”, the doyens of the “Imdadkhani Gharana” of Sitar.