Apoorva Gokhale's Gurus

Pt. Gajananrao Joshi

Pt. Gajananrao Joshi (1911-1987) was a unique and versatile vocalist and a renowned violinist in Hindustani Classical Music. Pt. Gajananrao Joshi, fondly known as Gajananbuwa was born into a family of musicians. His grandfather, Manohar Joshi had studied dhrupad and dhamar. His father Pt. Anant Manohar Joshi (Antubuwa) was a renowned khayal singer and was a disciple of Pt. Balkrishnabuwa Ichalkaranjikar.

Gajananbuwa studied the gayaki of Gwalior Gharana under his father, Pt. Anant Manohar Joshi. He also assimilated features of other gharanas into his singing. His other gurus were Ustad Vilayat Hussain Khan of the Agra Gharana, Ustad Bhurji Khan of the Jaipur-Atrauli Gharana and Pt. Vinayakbuwa Ghangrekar for Tabla.

Buwa's contributions, both as a vocalist and a violinist were recognized. He was awarded the Sangeet Natak Academy award (1972), award given by ITC-SRA (1982) and Tansen Sanman by Madhya Pradesh Govt. (1985).

Pt. Madhukar Joshi

Pt. Madhukar Joshi, fondly known as Madhubuwa is the son and disciple of Pt. Gajananbuwa Joshi. He is a renowned vocalist as well as an equally accomplished violinist. He is a senior artist of All India Radio and is a Guru at Sangeet Academy, Dombivali. Many of his disciples are regular performers.

Dr. Sucheta Bidkar

Dr. Sucheta Bidkar (Malutai) is the daughter and disciple of Pt. Gajananbuwa Joshi. She is a versatile musician and has been a successful vocalist, teacher, author and researcher. She has been a Senior Fellowship awardee, former Head of Department (Music) at SNDT Women's University, Pune.

Shri Manohar Joshi

Shri Manohar Joshi is the son & disiciple of Pandit Gajananbua Joshi. He is well trained violinist.

Pt. Ulhas Kashalkar

Born in Nagpur, Pt. Ulhas Kashalkar received his initial guidance in music from his father Shri. N.D. Kashalkar, who was a lawyer and a musicologist. He completed his post-graduation in music at Nagpur University, where he trained under Rajabhau Kogje and P.N. Khardenavis. He further received intensive guidance from the renowned stalwarts Pt. Ram Marathe (fondly known as Rambhau) and Pt. Gajananbuwa Joshi. Pt. Ulhas Kashalkar is a representative of the Gwalior, Agra and the Jaipur gharanas. He is noted for his authentic presentation of ragas, especially obscure traditional ragas as well as his ability to switch between the three styles, namely, Gwalior, Agra and Jaipur.

He began his career as a Programme Executive at All India Radio. Since 1993, he has been a Guru at ITC-SRA (Sangeet Research Academy). He has been honoured with the Sangeet Natak Academy Award (2008, presented in 2009) and the Padma Shri (2010).

Smt. Manik Bhide

Smt. Manik Bhide was encouraged by her parents to beginning her training in classical music at a young age. She trained in the Jaipur style under Late. Pt. Madhukarrao Sadolikar. On moving to Mumbai, post marriage, she received intensive taleem from Gaanasaraswati Smt. Kishori Amonkar for 15 years, where she gained a broad understanding of Jaipur Gayaki. She is a popular artist over All India Radio. Manikjiis a passionate teacher in addition to being a popular performer. She has trained many students and continues to do the same till date.

Dr. Ashwini Bhide
Deshpande

Smt. Ashwini Bhide Deshpande is an outstanding vocalist of the Jaipur-Atrauli gharana. Born in a musical family, she began her training in Hindustani music under Late. Pt. Narayanrao Datar. She further learnt the traditional aspects of the Jaipur gayaki under her mother Smt. Manik Bhide. She has also received valuable guidance from the renowned vocalist of the Jaipur gharana, Late. Pt. Ratnakar Pai.

Ashwiniji's music is a beautiful combination of tonal sweetness, emotion and raga structure architecture. Ashwiniji completed Sangeet Visharad of Akhila Bharatiya Gandharva Mahavidyalaya at the age of 16 and won the President's Gold medal at the All India Radio competition in the year 1977.

Pt. Yashwant Mahale

Pt. Yashwant Mahale is a senior vocalist belonging to the scholastic tradition started by Pt. Vishnu Narayan Bhatkhande. He trained at the Marris College of Music, Lucknow, under Late. Acharya S.N. Ratanjankar. He also received valuable guidance from Late. Pt. G.N. Natu and Late. Pt. K.G. Ginde. He also mastered the dhrupad style under the tutelage of the illustrious musician Ustad Rahimuddin Dagar. He is also a composer and his compositions have been compiled in the form a book titled Yashsangeetamrut.

Pt. Shankar Abhyankar

Pt. Shankar Abhyankar is a disciple of Pt. Shankarrao Vyas and Pt. Narayanrao Vyas. He is a renowned Sitar player as well as a prolific composer. His compositions have been compiled in a book named Aradhana .

Pt. Arun Kashalkar

Pt. Arun Kashalkar is a vocalist of the Agra-Gwalior gharana. He received initial training in music from his father Shri. N.D. Kashalkar, who was a lawyer and a musicologist. He further received taleem from Pt. D.V. Pankhe, Rajabhau Kogje, Pt. Ram Marathe, Pt. Gajananbuwa Joshi and Pt. Babanrao Haldankar.

He has been training a lot of students, most of whom are successful performers. He has composed more than 150 bandishes under the pseudonym Rasadaas and these compositions have been compiled into a book named Swar Archana.