About
Pandit Ulhas Kashalkar, born 14 January 1955 in Maharashtra, is among the most respected Hindustani classical vocalists of his generation. Uniquely, he is a leading representative of three khayal gharanas, Gwalior, Jaipur and Agra, having trained under Pandit Ram Marathe and Pandit Gajananrao Joshi after his first lessons from his father. He is celebrated as a musicians' musician and has held the title Raag Rishi.
Kashalkar is noted for the depth and authenticity of his gayaki and for resurrecting rare, obscure ragas, at times moving between all three gharana styles within a single performance. A top-grade artist of All India Radio, he has served for over three decades as a resident guru at the ITC Sangeet Research Academy in Kolkata, shaping a generation of vocalists. His honours include the Padma Shri and the Sangeet Natak Akademi Award.
The artistry
Kashalkar sings with a supple, traditional voice and can switch authentically between Gwalior, Jaipur and Agra styles, honouring the aesthetic of each while keeping strictly to the raga's grammar. He is especially known for reviving rare ragas and compositions.
Kashalkar is a purist's choice for a serious khayal recital, prized by connoisseurs for authenticity and rare-raga scholarship. A host can programme a classical recital or a lecture-demonstration on the gharana traditions. [Atlas Assessment]
A rare custodian of three khayal traditions and a foremost teacher, sustaining the classical gharana system into the present.