Maharashtra Mandal of Greater Pittsburgh

mmpgh@hotmail.com

Announcing a great vocal recital by

Pandit Prabhakar Karekar

Sponsored by Indian Council of Cultural Relations (ICCR)

Accompanied by

Shri. Subhash Kamat (Tabla) &

Dr. Arawind Thatte (Harmonium)

PRABHAKAR KAREKAR is now a very familiar figure on the concert scenes of CLASSICAL MUSIC, throughout India. A Vocalist -groomed in the North Indian Style, he has also earned a name for him abroad, having extensively traveled in the U.S.A. the U.K and the Gulf Countries. Hailing from Goa, PRABHAKAR left his native place at the tender age of Fourteen in quest of music. Initiated into the fundamentals of classical music by Pandit SURESH HALDANKAR, he was later awarded a national Scholarship by the Government of India. Then followed his stint of discipleship under the very able guidance of the maestro Pt. JITENDRA ABHISHEKI. At present, he is under the tutelage of the famous exponent of the Gwalior and Agra gharanas Pt. C. R. VYAS. With his eclectic approach 'KAREKAR' has imbibed the essence of the various schools of music and formed a style all of his own and left its indelible imprint on the minds of his listeners. He has regaled the 'Rasikas' at all the major music festivals held in India with his mellifluous voice. His matured rendering of the 'Khayal' as well as the emotional singing of 'thumris', 'dadras', 'bhajans' and 'Natyageets' appeal to the connoisseurs and the common 'Rasikas' alike.

Pt. Karekar will be accompanied on Tabla by Mr. Subhash Kamat. Mr. Kamat has accompanied almost all the stalwarts of Hindustani classical music. He started learning Tabla from his father Pt. Chandrakant Kamat and later received further training from Pt. Samta Prasad, a doyen of Banaras Gharana. He has participated in all the major music conferences in India and has traveled across U.S.A., Canada and U.K., for musical performances. He is a regular broadcaster on AIR and Doordarshan.

Accompanying Pt. Karekar on Harmonium will be Dr. Arawind Thatte. Arawind, born in a musical family of intellectuals has been playing harmonium since his childhood. He also played Tabla under the guidance of late Pt. G.L. Samant. He was trained in vocal music at Bharat Gayan Samaj (Pune). Today, Arawind has become a renowned Harmonium player and has accompanied almost all stalwarts of classical music. In addition he has participated in more than 125 programs of Marathi light music "Mantarlelya Chitrabanat". He has traveled extensively around the world and has performed all over India, on Radio and TV and in most prestigious music conferences. Besides music Arawind has a brilliant academic career with a doctorate in Mathematics.