2024 Events

Proud to present an illustrious Hindustani vocal artist Shri. Omkar Dadarkar!! Born in Mumbai on 30 July 1977, he was initiated in singing by his parents, both Marathi Natya-Sangeet performer. He took initial training under Dr. Ram Deshpande and received scholarship from C.C.R.T.(New Delhi). Later he has honed his skills under the tutelage of his aunt the legendary vocalist Padmashree Manik Verma,  Pt. Yashwantbua Joshi (Gwalior Gharana) and Pt. Ulhas Kashalkar (Guru at I.T.C. Sangeet Research Academy). He got training of light classical form under Vidushi Girijadevi and Srinivas khale. Omkar’s performances in all over India and abroad are highly applauded.

Omkar received the prestigious Ustad Bismillah Khan Yuva Puraskar (2009), Vidyasagar Award (Music Forum), “Shanmukhananda Hall-Mumbai-Sangeet Shiromani” award and “Chaturanga Sangeet Shishyavrutti Award” (Chaturanga Pratishthan). He was awarded by Sangeet Natak Academy New Delhi, Govt. Of India. He is working at I.T.C. as a Guru.

He will be accompanied by Shri. Sanjay Deshpande on the Tabla and Shri. Siddhesh Bicholkar on the Harmonium.

Saturday May 5, 2024 at 5 PM

Venue: Bethany United Methodist Church, 10010 Anderson Mill Rd, Austin, TX 78750

Kala Darpan is thrilled to bring a Dhrupad Concert to Austin music lovers. Dhrupad is the most ancient vocal music art from India and the eminent artist Pt. Uday Bhawalkar is among the foremost Dhrupad vocalists of the country. He has been a strong force in its growing recognition, popularity and resurgence, worldwide. He’s a disciple of Ustaad Zia Fariduddin Dagar (vocal) and Ustaad Zia Mohiuddin Dagar (Rudra Veena), the towering pillars of the Dhrupad tradition. Since his first performance at Bhopal in 1985, Uday ji has performed in a number of prestigious festivals and events in India and abroad.  He has also collaborated with artists from other disciplines and cultures. Uday ji has contributed to the soundtracks for international arts films. He has taught internationally at institutions such as the Rotterdam Music Conservatory, The University of Washington, Seattle and the Asian music circuit, London, to name a few. He is a Guru at the ITC Sangeet Research Academy at Kolkata and Bengal Foundation’s ”Parampara Sangeetalay”, Dhaka, Bangladesh.

In recognition for his artistry he has received many prestigious awards including the Kumar Gandharva Samman (2001),  the Raza Foundation Award (2007),  Sangeet Natak Akademi Award (2021) and Hanumant Award (2023).

He will be accompanied by Shri. Sukhad Munde on the Pakhawaj and Shri. Kirit Singh on taanpura and vocals.

Saturday April 13, 2024 at 5 PM

Venue: Covenant United Methodist Church, 4410 Duval Rd #6808, Austin, TX-78727 

Pt. Nishad Bakre is bringing to us gayaki of the Gwalior, Jaipur and Agra gharanas.  Born 1981, started his early lessons from his father, Shri. Sadashiv Bakre. Later he received his training under the guidance of Dr. Ram Deshpande,  Pt. Dinkar Kaikini, Pt. Madhukar joshi, Dr. Arun Dravid and Pt. Ulhas Kashalkar. 

Pt. Bakre is a recipient of the Kesarbai Kerkar scholarship of the NCPA (Mumbai), the Gyan Pravah Scholarship (Kolkata), the Yuva Puraskar of the Kanebua Pratishthan (Pune), Pt. K.G. Ginde Memorial Award (Mumbai), and recently Pt. Ram Marathe Award of the Municipal Corporation, Thane city. He has performed in different parts of India and has been acknowledged and appraised for his artistic prowess.

He will be accompanied by Shri. Abhay Datar on the Tabla and Shri. Anant Joshi on the Harmonium.

Saturday April 13, 2024 at 5 PM

Venue: Covenant United Methodist Church, 4410 Duval Rd #6808, Austin, TX-78727