Detailed

Pushkar started learning light music at the age of 3 years. Since 1984 he was tutored in vocal classical music by Late Pt. Gangadharbua Pimpalkhare (disciple of Pt. Vinayakbua Patwardan) of the Gwalior gharana for eight years. He then took lessons from Shri. Vijay Koparkar (Disciple of Dr. Vasantrao Deshpande and Pt. Jitendra Abhisheki) for about eight years. Pushkar then received the guidance of Guru Pt.Vijay Sardeshmukh and Pt. Satyasheel Deshpande (both being senior disciples of Pt. Kumar Gandharva). A rigorous study of more than two decades with all these renowned and able Gurus has enriched him with a rich fund of knowledge. He holds a Masters Degree in Music from Lalit Kala Kendra (Centre for Performing Arts), University of Pune. Pushkar is a recipient of the Central Government scholarship for classical vocal music awarded by the Centre for Cultural Resources and Training (CCRT) as well as the scholarship from the Department of Culture, Government of India. He has featured on E-TV (Marathi) Channel, 'Sur-Taal' programme on Zee Marathi Channel, Doordarshan (Sahyadri) Channel and has been exclusively interviewed on Akashwani Sydney. A graded artiste of the AIR, he also presents Natyasangeet, Bhavgeet, Bhajan, Tappa, Thumri, Dadra, Hori and other semi-classical and folk forms with exceptional ease and expertise. Pushkar’s many projects include ‘Mala Umajalele Vasantrao’, AV presentations like ‘SagunNirgun’, ‘Kumar Gandharva Darshan’, ‘Pravaahee’ and ‘Triveni-Rang’. Pushkar has been featured as one of 35 Young Achievers from all over India, belonging to various fields by INDIA TODAY magazine. Pushkar is the Founder-Director of ‘Gandhaar School of Music’ where students are trained in Hindustani Classical Vocal Music using a contemporary approach. He is also on the panel of Guru-s on Shadja.com, a virtual gurukul to teach classical music online.

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SOME NOTEWORTHY AWARDS: 1. Pandit

Vishnu Digambar Paluskar Award (2001) of Sharada Sangeet Vidyalaya, Mumbai.

2. Late

Shri. Jaywant & Late Smt. Vasanti Paingankar Smruti Puraskaar (2004) instituted by Pandit Jasraj MitraMandal Public Trust, Pune.

3. Late

Shri. Sitaram & Late Smt. Malati Dixit Smruti Puraskaar (2004) instituted by Ganavardhan, Pune.

4. Dr.Vasantrao

Deshpande Yuva Kalakaar Puraskaar (2004) instituted by Dr. Vasantrao Deshpande Memorial Foundation, Chinchwad.

5. ‘Sur

Mani’ by Sur-Singar Samsad, Mumbai (2004)

6. Gayanacharya

Ramkrishnabua Vaze Puraskaar given to outstanding artistes by Gandharva Mahavidyalaya, Pune (2004)

7. Sudhir

Phadke Yuvonmesh Puraskaar (2006) instituted by Indradhanu, Thane.

8. Sanatan

Sangeet Puraskaar (2009) instituted by Sanaatan Sangeet Sanskriti, New Delhi, given to distinguished young artistes in recognition for their contribution to Hindustani Music. Past recipients of this award include music maestros like U. Shrinivas and A R Rahman.

PERFORMANCES: Pushkar's debut public performance was at the age of 7 years during Dattajayanti Festival in Pune. He now tours frequently all over India and abroad giving performances at many prestigious music conferences. Some noteworthy amongst them:

 ‘Darbar Hall’ of Laxmi Vilas Palace - Vadodara  Hubli, Bantwal, Karkala and Shimoga Art Circles – Karnataka  Sahyadri

Swaramanch, Gandharva Mahavidyalaya, Sadhana-Kalamancha, Sursauvardhan, Bharat Gayan Samaj, Ganavardhan, Rotary Club, Bharat Natya Sanshodhan Mandir, Maharashtra Cultural Centre, , Kamayani’, Ramkrishna Muth, Kesari Marattha Trust, Pune Festival, Sangeet Pratibha Festival by Sangeet Natak Academi, Dinaayan Kala Parva - Pune

 National Centre for Performing Arts (NCPA), Dadar - Matunga Cultural Centre, Nehru Centre, Karnatak Sangha, Uttunga Sauskritik Parivar Trust (Vile Parle), Ajivasan, Mumbai Education Trust, Kal Ke Kalakaar Sangeet Sammelan by Sur-Singar Samsad, Yashwantrao Chavan Centre, Maharashtra Seva Sangha (Mulund), Sapt- Rang by the Drishti Foundation (Chicago), ‘Chaitrapalavi’ by Chaturanga Pratishthan, IMG Brittania Library- St. Xavier’s College, ‘Aarohi’ by Pancham-, Nadabrahma-Boriwali, Khayal Trust – Mumbai

 Maifil, Dr. Vasantrao Deshpande Smriti Samaroha by South Central Zone Cultural Centre (SCZCC), Sauvadi, Saptak, Kalidaas Festival – Nagpur

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 Balkrishnabua Sangeet Sadhana Mandal – Ichalkaranji  Gayan Samaj Dewal Club – Kolhapur  Shiwanand Pratishthan – Dombivili  Kalyan Gayan Samaj - Kalyan  Pancham, Swaragandha – Akola  Swar-Sangam - Sangamner  Saptak, The Genius, Kusumagraj Pratishthan - Nashik  Vilasrao Deshmukh Pratishthan - Latur  Yogi Sitaraam Maharaj Tembye Sansthan - Amravati  Khalvayan - Ratnagiri  Abhiruchi - Karad  Shivanand Swami Sangeet Mahotsav - Aundh  Samraat Club - Sawantwadi  Ajanta-Ellora Festival (Curtain Raiser) – Aurangabad  Parampara Evam Samagaman Festival organized by Ustad Allauddin Khan Sangeet Evam Kala Academy - Narsinghpur

 Kala Academy (Panjim), Vasco Damodar Utsav, Shantadurga Temple (Calangute), Pt. Jitendra Abhisheki Smriti Samaroha, Smt. Anjanibai Malpekar Smriti Samaroha - Goa

 Mitra Vartul Trust – Bhavnagar  Sawai Gandharva Music Festival – Kundgol  Drishti Foundation - Bijapur  Chatrapati Shivaji Mandal - Dewas  Bharat Bhavan - Bhopal  Shree Gajanan Maharaj Devasthan Nyas, Tansen Samaroha - Gwalior  Patna Jn Durga Puja Samiti – Patna  Mamasaheb Mujumdar Smriti Samaroha, Late Sharad and Madhav Khargonkar Smriti Samaroha, Abhinav Kala Samaj, Shree Ganesh Mandal – Indore

 Surmandal – Hyderabad  Devnandan Ubhayekar Yuva Sangeet Utsav – Bangalore  Pandit V.D.Paluskar Jayanti Sangeet Samaroha, VSK Baithak, Shriram Shankarlal Music Festival, HCL Concert Series at the India Habitat Centre, ‘Shadaj’, Bhakti Utsav, ICCR, Delhi International Arts Festival – New Delhi

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Internationally, Pushkar has successfully toured USA, Australia, UAE, Belgium, Netherlands and Singapore. Pushkar has also given many private performances and has been showered with blessings and appreciation by musicologists , critics and stalwarts of classical music like Dr. Gangubai Hangal, Late Shri. P.L.Deshpande, Late Pandit Chota Gandharva, Gundecha Brothers, Ustad Sultan Khan, Smt. Malini Rajurkar, Pandit Jasraj, Ganasaraswati Smt. Kishori Amonkar, Pandita Girijadevi and many others. Pushkar has six recordings to his credit in the form of audio CDs by Alurkar Music House, Ninaad Creations and Dreams Entertainment. More recordings are in the pipeline to be brought out in the market soon.

Contact:

773/1-A, Flat No. 101, Madhura Apartments, Next to Kamla Nehru Park, Off. Bhandarkar Road, Erandwane, Pune - 411004. Maharashtra, INDIA

Tel: +91-20-2567 1145 Mobile: +91-98812 37591 Email: [email protected] Website: www.pushkarlele.com

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