Varad Kathapurkar got initial training from late Pt. Malharrao Kulkarni and is presently learning from Pt. Rupak Kulkarni.
Varad has been fortunate to work with stalwarts like Ustad Zakir Hussain, Bappi Lahiri, Salim-Sulaiman, Ajay-Atul, Shridhar Phadke, Srinivas Khale, Ashok Patki, Kaushal Inamdar, Kamlesh Bhadkamkar and many more. He has also accompanied in music reality show named Marathi Sa Re Ga Ma Pa, Maze Jivangane (Marathi), Gaurav Maharastracha (Marathi), Music Ka Mahamuqqabla (Hindi).
Varad has played in a background music of some Marathi films and Marathi dramas.