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Pandit Sharad Sathe, born February 18, 1932, began his rigorous formal musical training in 1949 in the hallowed guru-shishya tradition with Pandit D.V. Paluskar, son of the famous missionary-musician Pandit Vishnu Digambar Paluskar. He had the opportunity to travel extensively and perform with his guru at several concerts.
After Pandit Paluskar`s premature death in October 1955, Pandit Sathe`s quest for a guru brought him to Mumbai in 1956, where he continued his studentship under the well-known musicologist, Prof. B.R. Deodhar for nearly a decade. A recipient of a Government of India scholarship, Panditji graduated with the Sangeet Visharad degree of the Gandharva Mahavidyalaya Mandal in 1961 with honours. He learnt from Prof. Deodhar a variety of compositions in several lesser-known ragas.
It was after 1966, when he became a disciple of Pandit Sharadchandra Arolkar, a veteran vocalist of the Gwalior school, that Panditji`s talent and musicianship acquired depth, maturity and a new dimension. Pandit Arolkar gave him a new insight into the ideological base of the Gwalior gayaki and handed down to him several rare compositions in khayals, tappas and taranas. The polished grace and depth of expression evident in Panditji`s musicianship are the result of his advanced training and refinement under Pandit Arolkar.
Today, Sharad Sathe is a vocalist who has made a mark on the contemporary musical scene through diligent practice, informed study and assimilation. Although a follower of the Gwalior gayaki, Sharad ji is an eclectic musician who has kept his mind and ears open to the best that other schools have to offer. A regular performer over the All India Radio and Television networks, he has been participating in various music conferences and concerts all over the country. In 1972, he was specially invited to sing for the Films Division documentary on Pandit Vishnu Digambar Paluskar.
After a successful concert tour of USA in 1985, he was appointed as a resident professor of vocal music at the London centre of the Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan in 1986-87. Currently, he is a visiting lecturer for Tappa and examiner at a few Indian universities. He toured UK in 1989, 1993, 1997, 2008 and Dubai, Bahrain in 1993 for his concerts.
ITC Sangeet Research Academy, Kolkata and National Centre for the Performing Arts, Mumbai have recorded Panditji for their archives. In 1997, he was invited by University of Washington, Seattle, USA for archival recordings of compositions of Gwalior Gharana. Recording companies like Swarashri, Magnasound and Musician`s Guild have published his recording on cassettes and CDs.
Sharad Sathe`s true identity is found in his impeccable practice, artistic expression of compositions and architectural beauty that characterises his performance. A purist by nature, Sharad ji continues his journey in search of the unexplored.
For his contribution to Hindustani vocal music, Pandit Sharad Sathe was honoured by ITC Sangeet Research Academy in 2006 and Pandit Vinayakrao Patwardhan award in 2009. He is also a keen organizer dedicated to the cause of music and arts. He is currently the Chairman of Dadar Matunga Cultural Centre, Mumbai, a premier institution dedicated to the promotion of art and culture. A Science graduate of the Pune University, Sharad Sathe is an accomplished commercial artist as well.
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