Shashank Maktedar began learning classical music from his father, Shamrao Maktedar. Armed with a Masters degree in Music and several awards, including the first prize in the All India Radio Music Competition held in 1987, Shashank participated in the ITC SRA’s National Talent Competition held in 1991. Topping the competition, Shashank joined ITC SRA in 1992 as a residential scholar. He began his training under Pandit Ulhas Kashalkar. Awarded the Jadu Bhatta Puraskar in 1996, Shashank emerged from the Academy in 2000 but continues to seek guidance from his guru from time to time.

Blessed with a melodious voice, he has performed at numerous prestigious music conferences all over India and abroad. In recognition of his performance, he has been awarded the Kala Kiran Award for upcoming musicians by the Aditya Birla Foundation, Mumbai, as well as the Ramkrishna Vaze Bua Puraskar by the Gandharva Mahavidyalaya, Pune. At present Shashank is on the faculty of the Goa College of Music.

This is an excerpt from Shashank Maktedar's performance at the Homecoming Festival that took place at the Academy on 29 and 30, January 2007. 32 ex-scholars took time off from their busy schedules and reunited at their alma mater for 2 days of festivities, performances and catching up. This scintillating recital has Shashank performing Raga Basant, accompanied by no less than Ajoy Chakrabarty on harmonium and Ananda Gopal Bandopadhyay on tabla.