Veena Sahastrabudhe will be felicitated on the occasion of her 61st birthday

She is renowned for her soul-stirring bhajans and khayals. A widely acclaimed vocalist of Indian classical music, Veena Sahastrabudhe will be felicitated today on the occasion of her 61st birthday. Vocalist Pt Vijay Sardeshmukh with Pt Suresh Talwalkar on the tabla will be performing in her honour. 

“I am very happy and overwhelmed by this gesture,” says Sahastrabudhe, a follower of the Gwalior gharana tradition. The senior vocalist was born into a musical family, “My father Pt Shankar Shripad Bodas was a disciple of the legendary Pt Vishnu Digambar Paluskar,” she says. Sahastrabudhe initially learned Kathak and the tabla, and then settled to classical music at the age of six. “My father and brother Kashinath Bodas both are my gurus,” she recalls. 

After pursuing a Bachelor as well as a Masters degree in music and Sanskrit from Kanpur University, Sahastrabudhe got the title of Sangeet Pravin or Doctor of Music in 1988. “It allowed me to look at music from different angles. Academic education in music is a must because it clears your thought process,” she explains. 

A regular performer at some of the most prestigious events in the world, labels like HMV (EMI), BMG Crescendo and Sony have recorded around 40 albums for Sahastrabudhe. 

While living in Kanpur, Mumbai and then in Pune, Sahastrabudhe offered private tuitions to students from all over the country. She also worked at the Department of Music at SNDT University's College of Arts and Commerce for Women in Pune from during 1985-1990. During 2002-2004, the eminent vocalist also took courses at IIT Bombay. “Even my father took lessons and I used to sit and observe him. It's in my blood now. I like to teach because it gives me satisfaction and I have been involved with this for generations. Today's generation too is very talented and they have a sound idea about various aspects of music,” shares Sahastrabudhe. 

Earlier, her disciples from all over the country had gathered and performed at Gandharva Mahavidyala to pay their tribute. She says, “My shisyas not only believe in implementing their training, but also endeavour to bring out their own interpretations. I wonder if classical music will be able to survive in the 21st century. But, I believe that this generation will put forth our tradition of classical music.”

(The programme will be held today at Yashwantrao Chavan Auditorium, at 6:30 pm.)

Sukirt D Gumaste/ DNA-Daily News & Analysis Source: 3D Syndication