Vocal - Pdt. Nagraj Havaldar
Vocal - Omkarnath Havaldar
Tabla - Kedarnath Havaldar
Harmonium - Sameer Havaldar
Program:
Act 1:
Kedar Havaldar - Tabla Solo
Sameer Havaldar - Harmonium
Act 2:
Omkarnath Havaldar - Vocal
Kedar Havaldar - Tabla
Sameer Havaldar (Harmonium)
Intermission
Act 3:
Nagraj Havaldar - Vocal
Kedar Havaldar - Tabla
Sameer Havaldar - Harmonium
Note - This concert was originally scheduled for September 8.
Pdt Dr. Nagaraj Rao Havaldar
Dr. Nagaraj Rao Havaldar is a leading artiste of the Kirana Gharana. He is a disciple Pt. Madhava Gudi, himself a prime disciple of Bharat Ratna Pt. Bhimsen Joshi. He is also a disciple of Pt. Panchakshari Swami Mattigatti, a senior disciple of Pt. Mallikarjun Mansur, from whom he has imbibed the niceties of the Jaipur-Atrauli Gharana. Pt. Havaldar brings to his performances the subtle understanding of a scholar and the finesse of an aesthete.
A gold medalist in M.A. (History and Archeology), he holds a Doctorate in Music from Karnataka University, his doctorate thesis being "The History of Classical Music in Karnataka". He holds with distinction, "Sangeetha Ratna", a degree in Hindustani Classical Music from Karnataka University. He has worked at the Music Archives, Hubli, All India Radio, Bangalore, as a Program Executive (1988-1991). He was also the chairman of Textbook Committee for Hindustani Music, for The Directorate of Textbooks, Karnataka. His column ‘Anuraaga’ based on the life of musicians has caught the imagination of readers. He has been contributing articles to various leading Kannada papers and weekly magazines. Hampi University has published a book titled ‘Badalaaguttiruva Kaalaghattadalli Shastreeya Sangeeta’ (“Indian Classical Music in Changing Times”) written by Dr. Havaldar.
During his study for "Sangeetha Ratna", a six year degree course Hindustani Classical Music from Karnataka University, Dharwad, Karnataka, he studied under Pt. Mallikarjun Mansur (the Head of the Department of Music). At the university, luminaries like Pt. Panchakshari Swami Mattigatti, Pt. Basavaraj Rajaguru, Pt. Sangameshwar Gurav and Dr. B.D. Pathak were his faculty members. While his style reflects his extensive training from Kirana masters, he is equally at ease with the Jaipur-Atrauli specialties such as Basanti Kedar, Kaunsi Kanada, Jai Jai Malhar, Shivmat Bhairav, Kabir Bhairav, Marwa Thaat Bhibas, Nat Malhar and many more. Gifted with a powerful voice that easily traverses three octaves, his music has a powerful emotional and intellectual appeal. His renditions of bhajans in various languages create a spiritually uplifting ambience.
Pt. Havaldar has performed all over in India, at festivals such as the Hampi Utsav (Karnataka), Sankat Mochan Sangeet Samaroh (Benaras), Salt Lake Music Festival (Kolkata), Swar Zankar (Pune) etc. He has toured the U.S. and the U.K. extensively, and performed at the Chhandayan All Night Music Festival (New York and Toronto), Dhrishti Foundation Tribute Concert (Chicago), Arsha Vidya Gurukulam (Pennsylvania), Chinmaya Mission (Chicago), amongst others. Pt. Havaldar is frequently invited by Corporations and Universities to give lecture-demonstrations on Indian classical music appreciation, and stress management through music. He has given lecture-demonstrations at multinational companies such as Alcatel-Lucent (New Jersey), IBM (New York), Wipro (Bangalore) etc, and at universities such as the Yale University, University of Notre Dame, Northwestern University, University of Buffalo, University of Milwaukee, Bradley University, and Valparaiso University. He has been a visiting faculty at Elmhurst College in Chicago during Fall 2011, teaching Indian classical music to American music-major students. His regular visits to the US since 2001 have won him lot of fans, students and admirers.
Dr. Havaldar is the founder & president of Sunaada Art Foundation, an organization that aims to promote and preserve Indian classical music for the future generations, by archiving rare recordings, organizing concerts, and promoting senior, but lesser known artistes in Hindustani music, especially from Karnataka. Pt. Havaldar has been a pioneer in popularizing the Kannada Khayal by adapting Vachanas, literary works of Haridasa and suitable contemporary poetry in Kannada to the traditional khayal form.
His last visit to USA in 2011 August to December as a visiting professor of Hindustani Classical Music at Elmhurst College Chicago, his performance at the World Music Festival in Chicago & Sawai Gandharva Bhimsen Mahotsav at Pune have caught the global attention. His music can be heard on Youtube.
Omkarnath Havaldar
Omkarnath was born into a family of Musicians. His father, Dr. Nagaraj Rao Havaldar, is a well known Hindustani Classical Vocalist & his mother Smt. Sudhamayi is a graduate of Fine Arts. His maternal grandfather Sri. K. Raghavendra Rao, is a renowned music critic. His paternal grandfather Sri. Rama Rao Havaldar is an intuitive composer of traditional Kannada Devotional Music. Grandmother Smt. Ambuja Bai is well versed with Vachana Sahithya, Dasa Sahithya & regional traditional songs. His younger brother Kedarnath Havaldar is a promising Tablist of Farukhbad Gharan (Desciple of Pt. Rajgopal Kallurkar, Pt. M. Nagesh and Pt. Samir Chatterjee).
Omkarnath was initiated into roots of Hindustani Classical Music by his father Dr. Havaldar and his learning under the parental care is an ongoing process. The talent and promise that Omkarnath showed naturally prompted his parents to request the Doyens like Pt. Madhava Gudi ( Desciple of Bharath Ratna Pt. Bhimsen Joshi ) of Kirana Gharana and Pt. Panchakshari Swami Mattigatti of Atrauli Jaipur Gharana to train and hone the skills of their son. Omkarnath is fortunate to inherit the finest nuances of both the Gharanas. He is now pursuing his Thalim in Dhrupad and Khayal from Pt. Indudhar Nirody.
Omkarnath is a graduate in Psychology (from National College Jayanagar) and this has helped him to search out the emotional aspects of his Gharanas to blend them with technical skills of his natural vocalism. He has completed a Masters Degree in Music from (Karnataka State Gangubai Hanagal) KSGH University of Music and Performing Arts, Mysore.
Kedarnath Havaldar
Kedarnath Havaldar is fortunate to be born into a family of musicians. His father, Dr. Nagaraj Rao Havaldar, is a renowned Hindustani Classical Vocalist. Kedar's mother, Sudhamayi, is a trained musician and a graduate from the College of Fine Arts in Mysore. His elder brother, Omkarnath, is an accomplished vocalist, having already established a niche in the field of classical music.
Kedar’s journey in music began with vocal training from his father at a very young age. But young Kedar was fascinated by the possibilities of Layakaari, rhythm and the Tabla. As it is said, "Swaramaatha Layapithaa," (Melody is the mother and Rhythm is the father). After pursuing his vocal training for five years, his initial training in Tabla began under Pt. Rajgopal Kallurkar, a renowned maestro of the Faroukhabaad Gharana. Kallurkar's affectionate training for the next 12 years helped Kedar blossom as a competent soloist and an accompanist. Kedar's quest for knowledge drove him to Pt. M. Nagesh, another dedicated teacher, and a disciple of Pt. Puttaraj Gawai. Panditji's vast experience and interaction with many senior musicians has been handed over to young Kedar with much forethought and care. Kedar is also a recipient of Kishora Prathibha Puraskaa, a state award for Tabla.
Presently, Kedar is learning from the internationally renowned Tabla maestro Pt. Samir Chatterjee. He went to Kolkata for a true Gurukul experience, in the year 2009 and continued his Taaleem from Samirji in the Chhandayan Centre for Indian Music, Manhattan, New York, for the next 2 years and continues to learn his Guru. He has completed his Post-Graduation in Tabla with a Gold Medal (Master of Arts) at KSGH University, Mysore. Kedar's constant interaction with his Guruji and the visiting musicians of the Chhandayan Center has fine-tuned his musical thoughts.
Kedar is extremely privileged to receive a special taaleem of vocal accompaniment under great Maestros like Pt. Madhava Gudi, Pt. Panchaksahri Swami Mattigatti. Presently, he trains with his father, Pt. Dr. Nagaraj Rao Havaldar and Pt. Indudhar Nirody. Constant interaction with these Maestros has made Kedar a sought after accompanist.
Academically, Kedar is active with the Azim Premji Foundtion teaching “Indian Rhythms in the course Introduction to Indian Classical music” and now currently teaching a course independently on “Global Rhythms – A World Phenomenon”.
Sameer Havaldar
Sameer Havaldar hails from a family of musicians. His first guru was Pt. Prabhudeva Salimath in Talikoti. Sameer's father Seshacahala is a retired Professor of History, used to sing Kannada light music and also an approved Kannada cricket commentator. Sameer's uncle Dr. Nagaraj Rao Havaldar is a noted Hindustani Classical Vocalist and a scholar. Sameer's college education and advanced music study has been with his cousins Omkarnath and Kedarnath Havaldar in Bangalore. Sameer holds a Masters Degree in Mass Communication and Journalism. As well as studying harmonium, he is an accomplished singer too. Sameer is continuing his vocal and harmonium learning under his uncle Pt. Dr. Nagaraj Rao Havaldar and Pt. Panchaksharaiah Hiremath respectively.