This performance ties the poetic and philosophical wealth of the Abhangs (Marathi devotional poetry) with the ancient and majestic Dhrupad tradition into a grand musical evening interspersed with some background of the texts and the saints who authored them.

Artists:

Janhavi Phansalkar : Composer | Vocalist

Janhavi’s tryst with music began through an inherited interest from her parents and her

training began at the tender age of 5 from Dr. Usha Parkhi, from whom she learnt until 2005.

She then began an in-depth training in the nuances of the Khayal tradition from the Gwalior

Gharana doyen - Vidushi Veena Sahasrabuddhe. For the next 8 years, with her Guru’s

guidance, she built herself into a fine young Khayal performer with many notable performances and awards to her name. By education, Janhavi is a graduate of Law from the ILS Law College, Pune.

In 2014, she began her Dhrupad training as a resident student of the Bhopal Gurukul

under the tutelage of Padma Shri Gundecha Brothers. Building upon her incredibly strong

musical foundation and background, she has now grown into one of the finest young Dhrupad musicians, and has enthralled audiences all over India and around the world. She has performed at the biggest classical music festivals as both a solo artiste and in jugalbandi with other accomplished musicians, and is now one of the most sought after Dhrupad musicians of the day. She also teaches very actively both online and in-person, and is also the Dhrupad instructor at the Dhrupad Sankula, Bengaluru.

Janhavi grew up listening to the Abhangs and their renditions by maestros over the

course of her childhood, and developed a deep bond with the beauty and depth of the poetry.

She conceptualized the ‘Abhang in Dhrupad’ project in 2019, composed the Abhangs, and

partnered with Dhani to perform them across the country to great acclaim.

Dhani Gundecha : Vocalist

As the daughter of Pt. Umakant Gundecha, Dhani has literally grown up around Dhrupad

music. She formally began her full time training in Dhrupad vocals from Padma Shri Gundecha Brothers at the Gurukul at the age of 20. By education, she is a graduate in Political Science (Honors) from University of Delhi, and has also completed her masters in Indian Classical music (specialization in Dhrupad) from Udaipur.

Recognized for her natural caliber and efforts through various national scholarship

awards including the Ministry of Culture’s national scholarship, Dhani’s performances have been very favourably received on reputed platforms all over India and abroad. She also teaches Dhrupad actively, and is an integral part of the Gurukul, Dhrupad Sansthan in Bhopal.

Dhani has been a part of the ‘Abhang in Dhrupad’ project right from its inception, and

has performed along with Janhavi at various venues around the country including the Pt.

Jitendra Abhisheki Music Festival, Ujjain.

Dnyaneshwar Deshmukh : Percussionist (Pakhawaj)

Dnyaneshwar’s journey with music and the Pakhawaj began with his father Shri

Ranganath Deshmukh, the well known kirtankar from the Varkari Sampraday. He then

underwent extensive training from the renowned Pakhawaj maestro Pt. Panduranga Appa

Datar.

In 2009, Dnyaneshwar was introduced to the Dhrupad style of Pakhawaj playing by the

maestro Pt. Akhilesh Gundecha. He is currently pursuing his advanced training under the

tutelage of Pt. Akhilesh Gundecha and Padma Shri Gundecha Brothers, and also teaches

actively in Pune and online.

Shri Dnyaneshwar Deshmukh has performed all over India and abroad on various

platforms as a solo artist as well as an accompanist, and has shared the stage with many

renowned names of Indian Classical music.