Hindustani Vocal Recital – Khayal Sangeet
Pandit Ram Deshpande has a rich musical tradition. He is a renowed vocalist of present generation and an artist of commendable talent. He was initiated into classical music by Shri. Chepe, Shri. Panake and Pt. Prabhakar Deshkar. Under the guidance of Pt. Yashwantbua Joshi and Pt. Ulhas Kashalkar, he has risen to greater heights as vocalist of the traditional Gwalior and Jaipur Gharanas. He has also received guidance of Agra Gharana from Pt. Babanrao Haldankar and “Bhatkhande Parampara” from Pt. Yashwant Mahale. He is a Doctorate in Music. He has won a Gold medal in M.A music from Nagpur University. The Sangeet Research Academy Kolkata honoured him with the “Best Vocalist Award”in 1991. He has also been honored by the prestigious “Vidyasagar Award” by music forum. He was awarded “Aditya Vikram Birla Kalakiran Puraskar” in 2005. He has performed at the prestigious conferences in India like Sawai Gandharva Sangeet Mahotsava, Pune, Tansen Sangeet Samaroh, Gwalior, Bharat Bhavan, Bhopal, Vishnu Digambar Jayanti Samaroh, Delhi NCPA, Nehru Center, MumbaiI, ITC Sangeet Sammelan, Kolkata and many more. He has performed abroad and enthralled the audience in countries like USA, UK, Holland, Germany, Dubai, Muscat, Abu Dhabi, Kenya, etc. Ram Deshpande is director of GANDHAR MUSIC ACADEMY. He is music director of short film “Gaanyogi” of Pandit D. V. Paluskar and Guru Para Brahma music album by Red Ribbon Company. He has composed “Vande Mataram” in Raag Mala consisting of 24 Ragas.
Ajay Joglekar is one of the leading harmonium players in the country. He was introduced to music by his mother. His passion, dedication and practice resulted into an individual style and technique. Later he was trained by the renowned Harmonium maestro Pandit Tulsidas Borkar. The encouragement and guidance from Pt. Ajoy Chakrabarty has helped him in enhancing his skills. Ajay has performed frequently in many music concerts in India and Abroad. He has accompanied renowned Vocalists like Pt. Ajoy Chakrabarty, Pt. Jasraj, Smt. Kishori Amonkar, Bharat-ratna Lata Mangeshkar, Smt. Veena Sahasrabuddhe, Smt. Kaushiki Chakravarty, Pt Sanjeev Abhyankar and many others. Ajay is very popular amongst tabla players and dancers for lehra accompaniment. He has accompanied renowned tabla Players like Ustd Zakir Hussain, Pt. Kumar Bose, Pt. Anindo Chatterjee, Pt. Yogesh Samsi. He also has accompanied renowned Kathak maestro Pt. Birju Maharaj. Ajay is also a music composer and music arranger. He has recorded a number of audio CDs and albums.
Sanjay Deshpande is a talented Tabla Player based in Pune, India. He was born in a music loving family and was introduced to the art of playing Tabla under Late Pt. Sabade at Pune Bharat Gayan Samaj. Later he took Taleem (lessons) from the renowned Tabla player Pt. Suresh Talwalkar of Delhi-Farookabad Gharana, in a Guru Shishya Parampara for 6 years. He also had the privilege of understanding the beauty of Punjab Gharana under the guidance of world renowned Tabla maestro Ustad. Alla Rakha Khan Saheb. At present he is taking guidance from Shri. Yogesh Samsi and Pt. Vivek Joshi. Sanjay is recipient of the coveted “Ahmedjaan Thirakwaa Scholarship” for Solo Performance. He has accompanied renowned artists like Smt. Vasundhara Komkali, Pt. Ulhas Kashalkar, Pt. Smt. Malini Rajurkar, Pt. Jasraj, Dr. Prabha Atre, Pt. Dinkar Kaikini, Dr. Ashwini Bhide-Deshpande , Smt. Veena Sahastrabudhe and many others. He has performed in major conferences such as Sawai Gandharwa Music Festival Pune, Paluskar Smarak Conference, Shankarlal Samaroha in New Delhi, I.T.C. Sangeet Sammelan . Dowerlane Conference, Kolkata. Sanjay has performed abroad in countries like USA, UK, UAE, Canada, Australia, Switzerland, Russia, Holland, Qatar, Sri Lanka, South Korea etc. He has also participated in the “World Vocal Festival” in Sweden. He is empanelled as guru at the Lalit Kala Kendra, University of Pune. He has number of recordings released. His fusion album “Wind From Ayuta” with Korean musicians won the Best album award of the year – 2002 in South Korea.