Asha Khadilkar

Shrimati Asha Khadilkar. (Born: 1955) is a Mumbai, India based vocalist renowned for her specialization in Indian (Hindustani) Classical, Semi-Classical and Devotional Music including Natya Sangeet Background Born in the mecca of Marathi Drama movement, Sangli, Maharashtra, India in 1955, Asha took her initial steps in music under the guidance of Late Shri. Balkrishnabuva Mohite. Along with her live performances in several Marathi Musical stage plays (Sangeet Nataks), she rendered her first live Indian Classical Music Vocal concert at the age of thirteen. After moving to Mumbai in 1975 after marriage, Asha honed her unique talent and skills under the guidance of the legendary Marathi singer Late Padmashree Manik Varma before contiuning her tutelage in Indian Classical Music from Pt. Yashwantbuwa Joshi, a stalwart of Gwalior Gharana. Work With exemplary command over a plethora of different forms in Indian music, Asha has won millions of hearts across India and abroad alike. She has consciously adapted to the best flavours of Gwalior, Kirana and Agra Gharanas,under the guidance of several music maestros such as Pandit Yashwantbuva Joshi, Pandit Shankar Abhyankar, Pandita Padmavati Shaligram, Late Padmashree Jitendra Abhisheki, Late Vasantrao Deshpande. Along with her penchant for Indian Classical Music and its derivatives, she is well known for her command over Traditional Marathi form "Natya Sangeet", Bhavgeet and Bhajans.Asha has also demonstrated her creative flair for music direction and classical bandish compositions. She has provided her unique direction to new generation Marathi Musical Plays like "Sangeet Aradhana", "Sangeet Kaviraj Jaydev" conceived by Nehru Center, Mumbai to name a few.Asha has been at her innovative best by conceptualizing various thematic programmes such as “Hori Rang Rangilee”, “Sawan – Rang”, “Ritu – Rang” and “Rachanakar-ko-pranam” in Hindi as well as participating in programmes like "Swarabhishek", "Manik-Moti" in Marathi. She has always been active in spreading the soul of Indian Classical Music through organizations such as "Spic Macay". Asha continues to tutor and mentor young Indian Classical Vocalists.Since 1994, Asha along with her husband Shri Madhav Khadilkar are spearheading 'Uttung Sanskrutik Pariwar Trust', a socio-cultural organization in Mumbai. This organization works to provide a platform to upcoming talent in the field of Music, Dance, Theatre and Literature as well as to honour deserving people with Annual 'Uttung Puraskar' to recognize their significant contribution to any of these creative fields. Discography Several renowned Indian recording companies such as HMV, Tips and Polydor have released Asha's audiocassettes and CDs in Indian classical as well as light and devotional music. Prominent Appearances     Sawai Gandharva Music Festival, Pune     Shreemant Dagdusheth Halwai Ganpati Festival, Pune     Swar-Bhaskar Music Festival, Pune     Spirit of Unity Concerts for National Integration, Hyderabad     BMM Convention, US 1993, 2007     Lecture & Demonstration workshops to college students on the topics related to Indian Classical Music     Playback singing in Marathi Movies like Balgandharva(2011)     Several solo performances on All India Radio, Doordarshan, DD Sahyadree, ETV Marathi, Zee Marathi, SAM TV     Celebrity Judge on popular Marathi Musical Contents on ETV Marathi, Sahyadree and Zee Marathi     Several memorable concerts in the US, UK, Canada and Singapore Awards and recognition     Awarded for contribution to Semi-Classical Music by Government of Maharashtra Cultural Wing     'Swar-Ratna' Award by Marathi TV channel 'Sahyadree'     Padmashree Manik Verma Award     Pandit Kumar Gandharva Award     Natasamrat Bal Gandharva Award at the hands of the legendary singer Late Smt Hirabai Badodekar     'Best Music Composer in Marathi Theatre' award by Government of Maharashtra     Felicitation by Government of Maharashtra on International Women's Day     Sangeet Shiromani Award at Banaras Affiliation with Sa Re Ga Ma Pa In 2008, Asha Khadilkar was invited as one of the celebrity judges for the Marathi vocal singing competition show, Idea Sa Re Ga Ma Pa, alongside music director Shri.Salil Kulkarni. This season featured adults in their mid-30s and 40s who pursued music as a hobby . The show was aptly named Sa Re Ga Ma Pa: Swapna Swaranche, Navatarunyache (स्वप्न स्वरांचे, नवतारुण्याचे), which roughly translates to Dreams of Music and New Youth.