Pt. Rajan Kulkarni

Pandit Rajan Kulkarni, born in  a family deeply associated with music, was initiated simultaneously into Vocal music and Tabla-playing in 1961 by his father, the late Pandit Vinayakrao Kulkarni, and his uncle, the late Pandit Raghunathrao Kulkarni. Incidentally, the late Pandit Raghunathrao was among the very first disciples of the legendary Pandit Vishnu Digambar Paluskar.

Pandit Rajan Kulkarni continued to learn Vocal music and Tabla till the age of 17, garnering a sound knowledge of different Raags and attaining proficiency in rhythmic nuances, which are of the essence for all Hindustani classical musicians, whether singers, dancers or instrument-players. However, it was instrumental music that beckoned to him all the time. He soon found the music instrument that his artistic temperament was most in tune with.

It was about this time that the rich and resonant sound of the Sarod cast its spell on young Rajan and he decided to set out to make a career as a Sarod-player. With this aim in mind, he became a disciple in July 1978 of Pandit Ratnakar Vyas of Mumbai, a recognized performer and teacher. 'My guru took keen interest in my training and was very particular both about the style of Sarod-playing and the purity of Raag and Laya', recalls Pandit Rajan Kulkarni with gratitude. Besides receiving guidelines and useful tips from many a stalwarts of Hindustani classical music,  Pandit Rajan Kulkarni also received valuable guidance from the late Pandit Narayanrao Vyas, a well known singer and teacher.

Elaborating upon his style, Pandit Rajan Kulkarni says, “I concentrate mainly on the gayaki ang during the initial aalap and jod, but shift to the instrumental style with the advent of the table in the gat. I adhere scrupulously to the tenets of the Mahiyar gharana" The result, pleasantly experienced by a number of his listeners in India and overseas, is a seamless blend of the mellifluous and electrifying aspects of Indian instrumental music.

Even a cursory look at the life and work of Indian musicians shows that, more often than not, music runs in the family. This holds true with Pandit Rajan Kulkarni as well. As mentioned earlier, his uncle was among the first disciples of Pandit Vishnu Digambar Paluskar. It was at the behest of Pandit Vishnu Digambar that Pandit Raghunathrao Kulkarni founded the Gandharva Mahavidyalaya in Amritsar, Punjab, in 1937. Pandit Rajan Kulkarni' father Late Pandit Vinayakrao Kulkarni continued the tradition, devoting his life to grooming talented singers, vocalist and instrument-players. Pandit Rajan Kulkarni also lived in Amritsar until 1993, when he shifted to Pune. The proximity of an institution devoted to music as well as the many visits by stalwart musician have had salutary effect on Pandit Rajan Kulkarni’ own make-up as a musician.

Proud to continue the tradition of this father and his uncle, Pandit Rajan Kulkarni founded the Sarang Sangeet Vidyalaya soon after shifting to Pune. Today the school imparts musical training in all the three faculties of Hindustani classical music (vocal, instrumental and dance) to 350 students. The school is also recognized by Akhil Bharatiya Gandharva Mahavidyalaya Mandal, Mumbai. In other words, the tradition of teaching, began in Amritsar in 1937, continues uninterrupted in Pune. The Sarang Sangeet Vidyalaya has qualified and trained staff to teach in different disciplines. Also vidyalaya has all the amenities like audio/video music library, musical instruments etc. Pandit Rajan Kulkarni inculcates the habit of Riyaaz in all the students by providing them the Vidyalaya rooms and facilities besides teaching.

Pandit Rajan Kulkarni has founded the Swarasangam Foundation with the aim of organizing music concerts and offering financial aid to the needy students. 'Exposure to other artistes’ performances is as vital to a nascent musician as the training imparted by the mentor and his/her own efforts. With this in mind, we try to organize music concerts under the auspices of the Swarasangam Foundation. Financial assistance is also offered to the needy students. Besides these, musical advice and counseling is offered by the Foundation to those who live in far-flung places and cannot commute to Pune regularly,” says Pandit Rajan Kulkarni.

Yet another important activity conducted by the Sarang Sangeet Vidyalaya is distance learning. Many students living at faraway places within India as well as in countries like Italy, France and US are under Padit Rajan Kulkarni’ tutelage through the distance learning method. Most of them reinforce their training by learning before their guru in person whenever they visit the Vidyalaya in Pune. Interested students can avail this facility by contacting Pandit Rajan Kulkarni.

Some of the disciples groomed by Pandit Rajan Kulkarni have now come into their own as performing artists. Notable among them are Siddhartha Daima and Pandit Rajan Kulkarni’ son, Sarang Kulkarni. Siddhartha, now a manager working for a renowned automobile company, still continues to nurture the Sarod-player in himself.

A number of Pandit Rajan Kulkarni' disciples teach and perform abroad as well as in India.