Rahul Deshpande

Rahul Deshpande
Rahul Deshpande - Singing in Pune in March 2011
Background information
Native name	राहुल देशपांडे
Birth name	Rahul
Born	(1979-10-10)October 10, 1979[1] Pune, Maharashtra, India
Genres	Hindustani classical music
Occupation(s)	singer
Years active	1984 onwards

Rahul Deshpande is an Indian classical music singer from Pune, India. He is the grandson of the well-known late Dr. Vasantrao Deshpande of Patiala Gharana ^{[2] [3] [4]}

Background

Rahul developed his interest in vocal music by studying the music of Pandit Kumar Gandharva. Initially, he sought guidance from Ushatai Chipalkatti and Pandit Kumar Gandharva's son Mukul Shivputra. He further learned music under the tutelage of Pandit Gangadharbuva Pimpalkhare and Dr. Madhusudhan Patwardhan. He also learned playing tabla from Pandit Suresh Samant. Also, the legacy of Kumarji's search of including Nirguni Bhajans in the conventional form of music has been brilliantly carried on by Rahul.

Rahul’s repertoire includes renditions from classical ragas to khayal, thumri, dadra, natyageet, bhajan, gazal and bhaavgeet. He feels that by binding oneself to one Gharana system limits an artist’s growth and thinking. There are many good styles different Gharanas have, which can be included in one's singing in order to enrich it.

Rahul has achieved prominence as a creative musical performer from an early age. Several eminent critics have noted the similarity between Rahul’s approach and that of his grandfather’s. But a lot of his style of singing, looks to be influenced by Kumar Gandharva's style of singing, especially when he sings Nirguni Bhajans. Rahul’s performance at last year’s ‘Sawai Gandharva’ won much appreciation from his listeners. Rahul's performance in the play "Katyar Kaljat Ghusli" has received great appraisal from home as well as abroad. He is also the judge on Zee Marathi's popular reality TV show "Sa Re Ga Ma Pa - Little Champs".

Rahul Deshpande singing in Vasantotsav 2010

Achievements and recognition

• Rasikagrani Dattopant Deshpande Award, presented to him at the Sawai Gandharva Music Festival
• Master Dinanath Mangeshkar Awards 2012 by Lata Mangeshkar ^[5]
• "Kothrud Bhushan" award by the hands of our Chief Minister, Devendra Phadanvis.
• Sudhir Phadke Award for his outstanding achievements at a young age.
• Rahul has given several national and international performances, and has released a number of audio cassettes of his classical and semiclassical performances. He is regularly featured in TV programs like Soor Taal and Nakshatranche Dene on Indian channels such as E-TV, Alpha TV, and Doordarshan. He currently serves as a judge for Idea SaReGaMaPa Little Champs-2, a musical show on Zee Marathi.

Also, every year he arranges VASANTOTSAV in the memory of his grandfather Shree Vasantrao Deshpande. Various singers and musicians demonstrate their skills and are applauded by a very worthy audience.^{[6] [7]}

Revised Sangeet Maanapmaan

A revised version of Kakasaheb Khadilkar's Sangeet Maanapmaan played in Maharashtra in 2011 and 2012, the centenary year of the play's first performance. It has been revised by Rahul Deshpande. "Originally, the play has five parts with around 52 classical songs. Deshpande's version will have two parts and 22 classical songs."^[8]

Personal Details

Rahul is grand son of famous singer Dr. Vasantrao Deshpande. He is married to Neha Deshpande and blessed with a daughter. His sister Dipti Mate is a stage actress.

Reference