Continuing its cultural tradition, the Campus Cultural Centre (CCC) of the University of Hyderabad hosted a mesmerizing musical evening featuring outstanding classical artists. The concert began with a sitar recital by Vidushi Sandhya Phadke–Apte, followed by a Hindustani vocal recital by Pandit Kaivalya Kumar Gurav.
About the Artist: Vid. Sandhya Phadke–Apte
Sandhya Phadke–Apte is one of the foremost representatives of the Senia-Maihar tradition and a senior disciple of legendary guru Smt. Annapurna Devi.
Born into a distinguished musical family, Sandhya is the daughter of Pandit Sachchidand Phadke and the elder sister of renowned sitarist Sudhir Phadke. She began her musical journey under the guidance of her grandfather Pt. Vaman Rao, a disciple of Pandit Vishnu Digambar Paluskar, and later received systematic training under her father.
In 1978, she was accepted as a disciple of Smt. Annapurna Devi, daughter of Ustad Baba Allauddin Khan. Through decades of dedicated training, Sandhya mastered the refined artistry of the Senia-Maihar Gharana, marked by a strong dhrupad foundation, intricate tantrakari, and refined layakari.
She has been awarded a four-year scholarship by the Government of India, won the First Prize in the All-India Radio Instrumental Music Competition, and is a recognized AIR Radio Artist. Sandhya has performed at prestigious festivals including the Sankatmochan Festival (Varanasi), Sur-Singar Parishad (Mumbai), and the Sawai Gandharva Festival (Pune and Kundagol), Taranath Foundation Music Festival (Bangalore), and has contributed to music outreach through SPIC MACAY. As a rare inheritor of the musical legacy of Ustad Alauddin Khan, Sandhya Phadke–Apte continues to uphold the purity, depth, and spiritual essence of the Senia-Maihar tradition.
Hindustani Vocal Recital by Pandit Kaivalya Kumar Gaurav
Pandit Kaivalya Kumar is a leading vocalist of the Kirana Gharana and a torchbearer of its rich lineage. He hails from an eminent musical heritage. His grandfather, Pt. Ganapatrao Gurav, was among the earliest disciples of Ustad Abdul Karim Khan, the founder of the Kirana Gharana. His father, Sangameshwar Gurav, meticulously groomed him in the authentic Kirana tradition.
Blessed with a naturally high-pitched and mellifluous voice, Pt. Kaivalya Kumar’s performances are distinguished by graceful phirat, intricate murkis, powerful taans, precise rhythmic control, imaginative improvisation, and a deeply aesthetic approach to Hindustani classical music.
He is among the youngest classical vocalists to receive the Top Grade from All India Radio and Doordarshan by the age of thirty-five. His numerous honors include the Aditya Vikram Birla Kiran Puraskar (Mumbai), Sarvashreshtha Kala Puraskar (Kolkata), Pandit Jasraj Gourav Puraskar (Mumbai), Dattopant Deshpande Smriti Puraskar (Pune), the Surmani Title (Mumbai), and the Outstanding Performance Award by the Raza Foundation (New Delhi).
Based in Dharwad, Karnataka, Pt. Kaivalya Kumar continues to enrich the classical music tradition through his performances and dedication to preserving the Kirana Gharana’s legacy.
The Performance
The first segment of the concert showcased a captivating sitar recital by Vidushi Sandhya Phadke–Apte, who mesmerized the audience with her profound artistry and command over the Senia-Maihar Gharana style. She presented Raag Yaman, unfolding it with an exquisite alap, followed by intricate jod and electrifying jhala, highlighting her refined tantukari and rhythmic brilliance. Her performance included a graceful Bada Khayal and a vibrant Drut Khayal, reflecting depth, discipline, and emotional expression. She concluded her recital with a soulful rendition of Raag Pahadi, leaving the audience spellbound by the lyrical beauty and sensitivity of her playing. She was accompanied by Sri. N. Udaykumar, a well-known Tabla artist from Hyderabad city.
The second segment of the evening featured an enthralling Hindustani classical vocal recital by Pandit Kaivalya Kumar, whose powerful and mellifluous voice brought the essence of the Kirana Gharana to life. He rendered Raag Shyam Kalyan with remarkable phirat, expressive murkis, and intricate taans, demonstrating exceptional control over melody and rhythm. His presentation of the devotional composition Jhula further elevated the emotional intensity of the concert, touching the hearts of the audience. His imaginative improvisations, rhythmic precision, and aesthetic depth created an immersive musical experience. Pandit ji was accompanied by Sri. Rahul Deshpande on Harmonium, and Sri. Thakur Harijit Singh on Tabla, both are talented artists from Hyderabad city.
Both performances were received with overwhelming appreciation. The artistic excellence, emotional depth, and technical brilliance of the artists created moments of pure musical magic, giving the audience goosebumps and leaving a lasting impression of awe and inspiration.
Audience and Reception
The concert received an enthusiastic and appreciative response from the university community. The audience was deeply moved by the artistic excellence, discipline, and emotional depth of both performances, reflecting the purity and richness of India’s classical music traditions.
The event proved to be not only aesthetically enriching but also academically inspiring, highlighting the institution’s commitment to promoting India’s cultural and musical heritage, while offering deeper insight into the traditions of the Senia-Maihar and Kirana Gharanas.
The program served as a meaningful platform for cultural exchange, artistic learning, and the celebration of India’s timeless classical legacy. The event attracted a large number of students, faculty members, non-teaching staff, as well as a notable audience from outside the campus.
About the Organiser
The event was organized by the Campus Cultural Centre and coordinated by Dr. Aranyakumar, Cultural Coordinator, University of Hyderabad. A dedicated team of volunteers from the Department of Music, including Namrata, Sonali, Amrit, Abhinash, Vijay, Madhuri, Suresh, Vishal, Subhashish, Diksha, Santosh, Dhatthathruya, and Tabla artist Prateek, actively supported the event and contributed to its smooth execution.
Dr. Pragya, faculty from Department of Music, introduced the artists. A well-known cultural organizer and guru from Hyderabad, Sri Gajendra Shewalkar, honoured the performers.
A report by Namrata Kumari, Department of Music