Samarth has earned a rare distinction of being proficient in three styles or gharanas - Gwalior, Agra and Jaipur. He trained under the tutelage of two distinguished masters, Pt Ulhas Kashalkar and Pt Dinkar Kaikini, in the ancient tradition of Guru-Shishya system. He was also a scholar and ITC Sangeet Research Academy in Kolkata. For more than a decade now, he is serving as a Guru and Director of Academic Affairs at Chhandayan Center for Indian Music in New York. He has several solo and collaborative albums and music compositions for many films and festivals to his credit. He has authored the much lauded book, ‘Raga Sangeet. Samarth now regularly features in music festivals and venues around the world.
Accompanying Samarth on harmonium is our very own Vivek Datar, who needs no introduction to Bay Area audience. Vivek Datar trained in harmonium under the guidance of renowned vocalist, late Vinaykrao Kale. He has lived in Bay Area for past many years and is a Guru to many Bay Area harmonium students and musicians. He has accompanied many stalwarts of Indian Classical Music all around the World, including at many Basant Bahar concerts. He often collaborates with other Bay Area musicians and artists on stage productions, music recordings and other collaborative works.
On tabla, Samarth will be accompanied by Tanmay Bichu. Tanmay began his Tabla training under Manohar Pimpalaskar. He received advanced training under Pt Ramdas Palsule and currently learns from Pt Swapan Chaudhuri. He has also received guidance from Pt. Arup Chattopadhyay and Ustaad Zakir Hussain. He regularly performs Tabla solos and as an accompanist for vocal, instrumental and dance performances in India and the US.
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