Rahul Deshpande
Encyclopedia
Rahul Deshpande is an Indian classical music
singer from Pune
, India
. He is the grandson of the well-known late Pandit Vasantrao Deshpande
of Patiala Gharana
.
. Initially, he sought guidance from Ushatai Chipalkatti and Pandit Kumar Gandharva
's son Mukul Shivputra. He further learned music under the tutelage of Pandit Gangadharbuva Pimpalkhare and Dr. Madhusudhan Patwardhan. He also learned playing tabla
from Pandit Suresh Samant. Also, the legacy of Kumarji's search of including Nirguni Bhajan
s in the conventional form of music has been brilliantly carried on by Rahul.
Rahul’s repertoire includes renditions from classical ragas to khayal, thumri
, dadra
, natyageet, bhajan
, gazal and bhaavgeet. He feels that by binding oneself to one Gharana
system limits an artist’s growth and thinking. There are many good styles different Gharanas have, which can be included in one's singing in order to enrich it.
Rahul has achieved prominence as a creative musical performer from an early age. Several eminent critics have noted the similarity between Rahul’s approach and that of his grandfather’s. But a lot of his style of singing, looks to be influenced by Kumar Gandharva's style of singing, especially when he sings Nirguni Bhajans. Rahul’s performance at last year’s ‘Sawai Gandharva’ won much appreciation from his listeners. Rahul's performance in the play "Katyar Kaljat Ghusli" has received great appraisal from home as well as abroad. He is also the judge on Zee Marathi's popular reality TV show "Sa Re Ga Ma Pa - Little Champs".
Also, every year he arranges VASANTOTSAV in the memory of his grandfather Shree Vasantrao Deshpande. Various singers and musicians demonstrate their skills and are applauded by a very worthy audience.
Indian classical music
The origins of Indian classical music can be found in the Vedas, which are the oldest scriptures in the Hindu tradition. Indian classical music has also been significantly influenced by, or syncretised with, Indian folk music and Persian music. The Samaveda, one of the four Vedas, describes music...
singer from Pune
Pune
Pune , is the eighth largest metropolis in India, the second largest in the state of Maharashtra after Mumbai, and the largest city in the Western Ghats. Once the centre of power of the Maratha Empire, it is situated 560 metres above sea level on the Deccan plateau at the confluence of the Mula ...
, India
India
India , officially the Republic of India , is a country in South Asia. It is the seventh-largest country by geographical area, the second-most populous country with over 1.2 billion people, and the most populous democracy in the world...
. He is the grandson of the well-known late Pandit Vasantrao Deshpande
Vasantrao Deshpande
Vasantrao Deshpande was a renowned Hindustani classical vocalist who was also a brilliant performer of Natya Sangeet. He had a unique style of singing which is still loved by many ardent fans.-Early life and background:...
of Patiala Gharana
Patiala Gharana
The Patiala gharana is one of the most prominent gharanas of vocal Hindustani classical music. It was initially sponsored by the Maharaja of Patiala, Punjab, which was famous for ghazal, thumri, and khyal.-History:...
.
Background
Rahul developed his interest in vocal music by studying the music of Pandit Kumar GandharvaKumar Gandharva
Kumar Gandharva or Shivaputra Siddharamayya Komkallimath was a Hindustani classical singer, famous for his unique vocal style, refusal to be bound by the tradition of any gharana, and his innovative genius...
. Initially, he sought guidance from Ushatai Chipalkatti and Pandit Kumar Gandharva
Kumar Gandharva
Kumar Gandharva or Shivaputra Siddharamayya Komkallimath was a Hindustani classical singer, famous for his unique vocal style, refusal to be bound by the tradition of any gharana, and his innovative genius...
's son Mukul Shivputra. He further learned music under the tutelage of Pandit Gangadharbuva Pimpalkhare and Dr. Madhusudhan Patwardhan. He also learned playing tabla
Tabla
The tabla is a popular Indian percussion instrument used in Hindustani classical music and in popular and devotional music of the Indian subcontinent. The instrument consists of a pair of hand drums of contrasting sizes and timbres...
from Pandit Suresh Samant. Also, the legacy of Kumarji's search of including Nirguni Bhajan
Bhajan
A Bhajan is any type of Indian devotional song. It has no fixed form: it may be as simple as a mantra or kirtan or as sophisticated as the dhrupad or kriti with music based on classical ragas and talas. It is normally lyrical, expressing love for the Divine...
s in the conventional form of music has been brilliantly carried on by Rahul.
Rahul’s repertoire includes renditions from classical ragas to khayal, thumri
Thumri
Thumri is a common genre of semi-classical Indian music.The text is romantic or devotional in nature, and usually revolves around a girl's love for Krishna. The lyrics are usually in Uttar Pradesh dialects of Hindi called Poorbi and Brij Bhasha...
, dadra
Dadra
Dadra refers to two separate but originally linked concepts in Hindustani classical music.-Dadra tala:This is a Hindustani classical tala , consisting of six beats in two equal divisions of three. The most commonly accepted theka or basic pattern for this tala is dha dhi na, dha tu na...
, natyageet, bhajan
Bhajan
A Bhajan is any type of Indian devotional song. It has no fixed form: it may be as simple as a mantra or kirtan or as sophisticated as the dhrupad or kriti with music based on classical ragas and talas. It is normally lyrical, expressing love for the Divine...
, gazal and bhaavgeet. He feels that by binding oneself to one Gharana
Gharana
In Hindustani music, a gharānā is a system of social organization linking musicians or dancers by lineage or apprenticeship, and by adherence to a particular musical style. A gharana also indicates a comprehensive musicological ideology. This ideology sometimes changes substantially from one...
system limits an artist’s growth and thinking. There are many good styles different Gharanas have, which can be included in one's singing in order to enrich it.
Rahul has achieved prominence as a creative musical performer from an early age. Several eminent critics have noted the similarity between Rahul’s approach and that of his grandfather’s. But a lot of his style of singing, looks to be influenced by Kumar Gandharva's style of singing, especially when he sings Nirguni Bhajans. Rahul’s performance at last year’s ‘Sawai Gandharva’ won much appreciation from his listeners. Rahul's performance in the play "Katyar Kaljat Ghusli" has received great appraisal from home as well as abroad. He is also the judge on Zee Marathi's popular reality TV show "Sa Re Ga Ma Pa - Little Champs".
Achievements and recognition
- Rasikagrani Dattopant Deshpande Award, presented to him at the Sawai Gandharva Music FestivalSawai Gandharva Music FestivalThe Sawai Gandharva Bhimsen Mahotsav is amongst the largest and most popular musical festivals of Indian Classical music in India....
- Sudhir PhadkeSudhir PhadkeSudhir Phadke was an accomplished Marathi singer-composer from India. He was regarded as an icon of the Marathi film industry and Marathi Sugam Sangeet for five decades...
Award for his outstanding achievements at a young age. - Rahul has given several national and international performances, and has released a number of audio cassettes of his classical and semiclassical performances. He is regularly featured in TV programs like Soor Taal and Nakshatranche Dene on Indian channels such as E-TV, Alpha TVAlpha TVAlpha TV is a Greek terrestrial channel . The station features a mix of Greek and foreign shows with an emphasis on entertainment programs. The studios are located near Athens...
, and DoordarshanDoorDarshanDoordarshan is an Indian public service broadcaster, a division of Prasar Bharati. It is one of the largest broadcasting organizations in India in terms of the infrastructure of studios and transmitters. Recently, it has also started Digital Terrestrial Transmitters. On September 15, 2009,...
. He currently serves as a judge for Idea SaReGaMaPa Little Champs-2, a musical show on Zee Marathi.
Also, every year he arranges VASANTOTSAV in the memory of his grandfather Shree Vasantrao Deshpande. Various singers and musicians demonstrate their skills and are applauded by a very worthy audience.
Reference
- www.vasantotsav.org