Gandhaali
(born in Pune) is an upcoming vocalist as well as a Kathak exponent and a
sincere seeker of Music.
Gandhaali began her training in music at the age of 10. As a classical vocalist, she has
taken her first lessons from Pandit Rajendra Kandalgaonkar of Kairana gharana,
disciple of Bharat Ratna Pandit Bhimsen Joshi and has learnt from him for many
(9) years. Meanwhile she has also received the guidance of Shri Y. V. Ghag, the
son of the late Pandit Vishnu .A. Ghag of Gwalior gharana.
Apart
from this, she herself is a mentor to many students whom she introduces and
trains into the basics of Hindustani classical music.
Gandhaali is currently associated with Saamved Pratishthan, Pune and Dance ‘O’ Mania Academy, Pune.
As a Kathak dancer, she has had the privilege to learn under the internationally acclaimed dancer-choreographer, Padmashree Guru Pandita Rohini Bhate and her disciples for more than 6 years. Guru Rohini Bhate has evolved a unique personal style based on both Lucknow and Jaipur gharanas of Kathak.
She was introduced to Kathak for the very first time when she was 8, by Dr. Sujata Natu, a well known Kathak exponent of Jaipur gharana.
Furthermore, she has undergone rigorous training under Guru Ms. Sheetal Bharadwaj, a disciple of Guru Pandit Rajendra Gangani. After her training under Ms. Sheetal Bharadwaj, Gandhaali has made a complete shift from Rohini ji’s dance style to the Jaipur style of Kathak. She continues to learn the intricacies of Jaipur gharana.