Sharad Sathe

Sharad Sathe (born 1932) is an Hindustani classical vocalist. Sharad Sathe, born February 18, 1932, began his rigorous formal musical training in 1949 in the hallowed guru-shishya tradition with Pandit D. V. Paluskar, son of the famous missionary-musician Pandit Vishnu Digambar Paluskar. He had the opportunity to travel extensively and perform with his guru at several concerts.

After Pandit Paluskar's premature death in October 1955, Pandit Sathe's quest for a guru brought him to Mumbai in 1956, where he continued his studentship under the well-known musicologist, Prof. B.R. Deodhar for nearly a decade. A recipient of a Government of India scholarship, Panditji graduated with the Sangeet Visharad degree of the Gandharva Mahavidyalaya Mandal in 1961 with honours. He learnt from Prof. Deodhar a variety of compositions in several lesser-known ragas.

It was after 1966, when he became a disciple of Pandit Sharadchandra Arolkar, a veteran vocalist of the Gwalior school, that Panditji's talent and musicianship acquired depth, maturity and a new dimension. Pandit Arolkar gave him a new insight into the ideological base of the Gwalior gayaki and handed down to him several rare compositions in khayals, tappas and taranas. The polished grace and depth of expression evident in Panditji's musicianship are the result of his advanced training and refinement under Pandit Arolkar.

Today, Pandit Sharad Sathe is a vocalist who has made a mark on the contemporary musical scene through diligent practice, informed study and assimilation. Although a follower of the Gwalior gayaki, Panditji is an eclectic musician who has kept his mind and ears open to the best that other schools have to offer. A regular performer over the All India Radio and Television networks in the Top Grade category, he has been participating in various music conferences and concerts all over the country. It was a rare honour for him when, in 1972, he was specially invited to sing for the Films Division documentary on Pandit Vishnu Digambar Paluskar.