Dr. Pramod P. Gaikwad is from a family of shehnai/sundri players. His grandfather is the world-renowned “Sanayee-Samrat” Shankarraoji, his father is Surmani Pandit Prabhashankarji and uncle is Krishna Gaikwad. They are all prominent Shehnai/Sundri players. Dr. Pramod received pure “Banarasi Baj Shehnai Vadan” guidance from his Guru and father-in-law, shehnai maestro Pt. Anant Lal and is currently learning from Pt. Dayashankar of Banaras. Apart from this, he also receives special guidance in music from sitar maestro, Ustad Usman Khan and musicologist/vocalist, Pt. Vikas ji Kashalkar from time to time.
He has a Bachelor’s degree in Commerce and he is the first and only artist who holds a Masters of Arts degree and Doctorate of Philosophy (Ph.D.) in music (shehnai) in comparative study of playing styles of Maharastriyan and Banarasi Shehnai in the modern period, which was awarded to him by Pune University. He is also an A-grade shehnai artist of Akashwani & Doordarshan.
Besides being a performer, as a Guru, Dr. Pramod has established “Shehnai Samrat Shankarraoji and Surmani Pt. Prabhashankarji Gaikwad Shehnai/Sundri Academy”, where many Indian and foreign students are currently being trained by him. Many of his students are successful performing artists as well.
Dr. Pramod is a member in the jury panel for various music competitions, an Expert Committee Member in the Ministry of Culture, Govt. of India for the selection of Senior and Junior Fellows under the "Scheme for Award of Fellowship to Outstanding Persons in the Field of Culture".