Ulhas Kashalkar (Vocal)

Attended a concert of Pt. Ulhas Kashalkar (Vocal) accompanied by Taalyogi Pt. Suresh Talwalkar (Tabla) & Sudheer Nayak (Samwadini) on 12th Dec 2015 at Sawai Gandharva Bhimsen Mahotsav, Pune with Alhad kaka.

Ulhasji has received training in the Gwalior, Jaipur and Agra gharanas and blends style of these khayal gharanas. He is a disciple of Pt. Ram Marathe and Gajananbuva Joshi.

Ulhasji started the concert with raag 'Jog Kauns (जोग कंस)'. He presented what sounded like 'Sugar barava ayo re (सुगर बरवा आयो रे)' followed by 'Peed parayi (पीड पराई)'. He sung for about 40 minutes and showed his class in this limited time.

Second presentation was a Bandish 'Aai re kaise raat (आई रे कैसे रात)' in Raag Adana (आडाणा). He sung for only about 7-10 min.

Concert ended with the famous Bhairavi 'Jamuna ke teer (जमुनाके तीर)' upon farmaish by Sureshji that lasted for about 7-10 minutes.

It's known that Ulhasji is a very good singer. He is considered point of reference by many contemporary and junior singers. He acts what he sings, making it easy to understand.

Pt. Suresh Talwalkar is considered encyclopedia of taal. His books are considered Tabla gospel and his Tabla tuitions are considered one of the best. To see him perform was an opportunity of life time.

Sudheerji is an excellent harmonium player. He enhances the singers performance by his understanding and complimenting them with his 'singing' harmonium.

A lot of time was lost in changing the stage arrangement for previous Kathak concert and back again for this concert. The concert had to be wrapped up in one hour because of municipal restrictions to finish all programs by 10 pm. By the time performers and audience had warmed up, it was time to finish. What a shame. Either the time restrictions should be relaxed or time management has to be better.

Trivia - Sawai Gandharva festival is arguably the largest festival of classical music in the world. Attendance this year was around 15000.

Entertainment rating not allotted because of time restrictions.