Swapna Datar is one of the prominent Violin players in North Indian Classical music. She is a dedicated artist who has created a niche in the field of music as a Violinist. Swapna has equal command over both bowing and fingering, her Violin playing features the subtle, gradual unfolding of the Raga with embellishments syncopated with complex and interesting Tala patterns.
Swapna has imbibed the Tantakari Ang (instrumental style) and Gayaki Ang (vocal music influenced style) in Violin playing. Her solo Violin presentation marks an equal balance of both these styles, with a unique and perfect congruence of Raga and Tala.
Her performance gives a soothing and delightful experience to the listeners. Swapna Datar is a loving person with a million-dollar smile, and her contemplative personality reflects in her music.
Training and Career
Swapna has received initial training of violin from Smt. Meera Patwardhan (1982 to 1985) & Pandit Atulkumar Upadhye (1987 to 1990). She recieved her Bachelor of Arts (Music) from Lalit Kala Kendra Gurukul, University of Pune (1990), Masters in Performing Arts from Khairagadh University (1996) and did her B.Ed. from the University of Pune (2000). She started her advanced studies in violin under Pandit Vasantrao Sheolikar in the year 1992 and this invaluable training is continued till date. Swapna is fortunate to have received extensive training for advanced technique of Violin playing & nuances of Raga improvisation under the able tutelage of Guru Pt. Vasantrao Sheolikar of Bhopal for last 20 years in traditional Indian ‘Guru – Shishya’ tradition. His style of playing is influenced by Khayal Gayaki (vocal music idiom) and has a unique quality of performing in the perfect congruence with Raga and Tala. Swapna has imbibed his style of playing which is influenced by Khayal Gayaki (vocal music idiom). Pt. Sheolikar’s unique quality of performing in the perfect congruence with Raga and Tala and the systematic presentation of the Ragas in the classical tradition also is reflected in her. Swapna is also blessed by eminent Violin maestro Dr. N. Rajam.
As a Music Teacher
With over 20 long years of experience, devoted and competent Swapna established her Violin classes under ‘Pariwaar’ in 2019 where she conducts individual classes for Violin in Hindustani Classical Music style for students in India and abroad. She has tutored many students personally and also has wroked as a music teacher at varied schools. She is a recognised Guru at the Centre for Performing Arts, Pune University. Her senior students have started taking their own classes not just in Pune but also at various places in India and abroad like Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar, Goa, Stuttgart, etc.
Along with her base in Pune, she has been regularly conducting Violin training workshops at Goa since 2018. She has also conducted workshops at Escola Agostinho Roseta at Sesimbra and Lisbon, Portugal (2016), and Argentina (2019).
As an Actress
Swapna Datar has also explored her talent as an actress. In her college years, she acted in Marathi plays and had won the ‘Best Actress of the year Award’ in the celebrated ‘Purushottam Karandak’ Marathi drama competition. She had the lead role in the Marathi drama ‘Sahasra Chandra Darshan’ directed by Pradip Vaidya. She is a graded voiceover artist in the Hindi drama section of All India Radio, Pune station and is a regular broadcaster.
Apart from her solo Violin concerts as an accomplished artist in India and abroad, she is widely known for her unique ensemble presentation of ‘Swar-Swapn’ with her students. She also is the director of ‘Pariwaar’, a cultural organisation which is a home to many art forms and allied services and runs for a social cause of helping spread Indian performing art and culture to the world. She has also started activities like 'Srujanand' t provide an enriching environment to the the young minds beginning from the age of 4. 'Kalangan' - an initiavtive by the children for the children to inculcate the habit of reading so as to develop their interest and raise awareness about the art, culture, technology and innovations around them in a way that they can understand and relate to it.