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Dr. Dhananjay Daithankar

Tabla artist, Santoor artist, Music composer

Biography

When the evening starts turning into the night & I am relaxing under the roof of the sky, full of glittering stars, I turn towards past & remember many golden moments of my musical career

My father, Digamber Daithankar, a vocalist, used to practice his musical notes in the early morning in the Lonavla, my mother Observed my rhythmical response towards his compositions, which was proved to be a dawn of my musical career. As a result of which, at the age of ten, I used to travel 120 kms, to pune to learn tabla under the able guidance of late Pt. G. L. Samant, who shaped my foundation for rhythm for ten years.

My school and college days are of full of memories of inter-school & college prizes and participating youth festival. In the year 1977-78 during my course of B. A. M. S. (Ayurvedic medicine) the delicate tunes of famous Kashmir instrument i. e. Santoor fascinated me.

It is an interesting story altogether! As the instrument was not available in the market, at that time, I decided to manufacture one for myself. By watching the photograph on L. P. I made one by myself. As I showed it to Santoor maestro Pt. Shivkumar Sharma, he encouraged me & sent me to Pt. Ratanlal Tikoo from whom I learnt Santoor for four years.

Turning point During those Passing years Pt. Shivkumarji was watching me carefully and one fine morning I received a great message that he himself will teach me further, as he sees spark in me. It was a memorable moment in my life because, whom I was worshiping as an idol had himself invited & accepted me as his disciple. Thus started my rigorous training under the able guidance of Pt. Shivkumar Sharma, since then 'Santoor' became my life's highest goal.

In the meantime of my training with Pt. Shivkumar Sharma I completed my graduation in Ayurvedic medicine. One day Shivji met my father & asked him to encourage me to take Santoor as my career as he is seeing the artistic talent of a professional artist in me.

Receiving 'Surmani' Award in Sawai Gandharva festival, 'Pune ki Asha' were the encouraging mile stones in my musical career. I also received National Scholarship for the 1988-90 for Santoor. As a also Santoor player, I have performed in major festivals in India & abroad. I had a privilege to travel throughout Gulf countries, Switzerland, France, U.S, on my professional pursuits.

The blessings of Guruji & appreciation of the art lovers all over the world are the precious Gems in my musical life; which will boost me to pursue my art with hearty dedication forever.

About program Nupur-Nad: Nupur-Nad ! A grand combination of tinkling bells & melodious strings! A combined concert of Bharat-Natyam & Santoor recital.A perfect blend of South & North Indian dance & music!In this single concert music lovers can enjoy two different Indian music styles (South Indian & North Indian) & two different art-forms on one stage. An unique presentation of a couple with superb audio-visual effect!

Concept –Dr. Dhananjay Daithankar on Santoor & a Bharat-Natyam performance by his wife Mrs. Swati is at the very basis of the extra-ordinary concept of Nupur-Nad. Both husband & wife have proved themselves in their own renowned fields at a solo level. After the years of performances the idea of combined program struck them & their brain child 'Nupur-Nad' was born. It has received a great response from the organizers as well as audience where ever it has been performed.

The form of Nupur-Nad—The curtain raises with the solo Bharat-Natyam performance by Mrs. Swati, which continues for 1 to 1 ½ hours & the program concludes with the Santoor recital by Dr. Dhananjay for 1 to 1 ½ hours. This can be also performed vise-versa. The total duration of the Nupur-Nad can vary from two hours to three hours as per the requirement of the organizer.

The Unique Jugalbandi - For the first time in India, the classical jugalbandi by the extra-ordinary couple - Jugalbandi of Santoor & Bharatnatyam. Recently performed at U.S.A. & the major cities in India. In abroad U.S.A. 2006, Europe 2008.

Performances : Nupur-Nad has been presented on the prestigious platforms throughout India & Abroad. In India : Pune, Mumbai, Aurangabad, Nipani, Chennai, Goa, Jalgaon, Nagpur. Abroad : U.S.A-Organized by B.M.M, 2000 and Switzerland - July 2002.

Photos Show all photos

With Pandit Bhimsen Joshiatthetime of Dattopant Deshpande Award in Sawai Gandharva.

Dr. Dhananjay Daithankar

Dhananjay Daithankar performing in sangeet sammelan.

Dhananjay with Pandit T D Janorikar, Pandit Shivkumar Sharma & Shri D Daithankar.

Falicitated by Dr. Jayant Naralikar.

Career

As a Santoor player, Dhananjay Daithankar has performed in major festivals in India & abroad. Dhananjay had a privilege to travel throughout Gulf countries, Switzerland, France, U.S, on his professional pursuits.

Got very great privilege to perform with Pandit Shivkumar Sharma(Rag Ras Rang) at Tata theatre.Mumbai on 24th oct. 2008 at pune on 19th Jan. 2013(Anadi Anant) organized by NCPA,Mumbai.

* Few Major Performances in India : -

1. Sawai Gandharva Sangeet Mahotsava, Pune(1998)

2. Vishnu Digambar Jayanti samaroh(New Delhi)(1998)

3. Tansen Sangeet Samaroh, Gwalior.

4. Surashree Kesarbai Kerkar Sangeet Samaroh, Goa.

5. Pt. Maniram-Pt. Motiram Sangeet Mahotsav, Hydrabad.

6. Brahmotsav, Tirupati.

7. Goa Kala Academi, Goa.

8. NCPA, Mumbai

9. Performed for SPIC MACAY at major places and many more.

* Performances abroad : -

1. U.S.A. – 2000, 2002, 2006, 2010.

2. Europe—2002, 2008.

3. Singapore- 2012, 2013.

4. Thailand- 2012.

5. Traveled to Gulf countries(Baharain,Dubai,Sharajah,Kuwait) in 1994, 1995.

Glimpse 1 - Raga Parameshwari

Glimpse 2 - Madhyalaya Ektaal in Raga Parameshwari

Glimpse 3 - Drut (Fast tempo)

List of Cassettes & CD's

Moonlight Melodies - (Raga- Abhogi & Bageshri) Prism

Live Concert - (Raga- Madhukansa & Bhairavi) Fountain

Dhananjay Daithankar - CD's - Santoor - Raga- Jog, Raga- Kausidhwani, Raga- Parameshwari, Raga- Pahadi Neelam Audio & Video, Inc (U.S.A)

Distinctive Duet - Raga- Yaman, Raga- Shivaranjani, Raga- Mishra Khamai Neelam Audio & Video, Inc

New Audio CD's - Divine conversation - Santoor Jugalbandi with Flute(Rajendra Teredesai) accompanied on Tabla by Tabla maestro Pt. Anindo Chattarjee - Fountain

As music composer

1. Rajas Sukumar published by HMV-SAREGAMA

2. Naman Tula Omkara--Published by Fountain.

3. Documentary film

4. Dance ballet- Sur shyam Rang.

5. Dance ballet based on Swami vivekanand-Tejonidhi.

Antarnaad - Santoor Jugalbandi with Flute in live concert

The spirit of Divine - Santoor Jugalbandi with Flute Tarang Audio

New VCD's - Evening scapes - Santoor Jugalbandi with Flute(Rajendra teredesai) Fountain

Divine confluence - Santoor & Flute in live concert

Programs

Dhananjay Daithankar presents Santoor solo recital

As a also Santoor player, Dhananjay has performed in major festivals in India & abroad. He had a privilege to travel throughout Gulf countries, Switzerland, France, U.S, on my professional pursuits. Receiving 'Surmani' Award in Sawai Gandharva festival, 'Pune ki Asha' were the encouraging mile stones in his musical career. He also received National Scholarship for the 1988-90 for Santoor.

Awards & Achievements

1. National scholarship -1988-1990.

2. Surmani by Sursingar, Mumbai.

3. Dattopant deshpande award for young artist in Sawai gandharva sangeet Mahotsava.

4. ‘Pune ki Asha' Purskar by asha foundation.

5. Felicitated by Pune Municipal Corporation.

6. Enrolled by ICCR.

7. Graded AIR & TV artiste.

8. Composed music for the VCD ‘Rajas Sukumar'.