Quick Facts
Biography
Asha Khadilkar (born: 11 January 1955) is a Mumbai, India-based vocalist who performs Indian (Hindustani) classical, semi-classical and devotional music including Natya Sangeet.
Background
Born in Sangli, Maharashtra, India, in 1955, Asha took her initial steps in music under the guidance of Late Shri. Balkrishnabuva Mohite. Along with her live performances in several Marathi musical stage plays (Sangeet Nataks), she gave her first live Indian classical music vocal concert at the age of thirteen. After moving to Mumbai in 1975 after marriage, Asha honed her unique talent and skills under the guidance of the singer Late Padmashree Manik Varma before continuing her tutelage in Indian classical music from Yeshwantbuwa Joshi, a stalwart of Gwalior Gharana.
Discography
Several renowned Indian recording companies, such as HMV, Tips and Polydor, have released Asha's audiocassettes and CDs in Indian classical as well as light and devotional music.
Prominent appearances
- Sawai Gandharva Music Festival, Pune
- Shreemant Dagdusheth Halwai Ganpati Festival, Pune
- Swar-Bhaskar Music Festival, Pune
- Spirit of Unity Concerts for National Integration, Hyderabad
- BMM Convention, US, 1993, 2007
- Lecture and Demonstration workshops to college students on the topics related to Indian Classical Music
- Playback singing in Marathi Movies like Balgandharva(2011)
- Several solo performances on All India Radio, Doordarshan, DD Sahyadree, ETV Marathi, Zee Marathi, SAM TV
- Celebrity Judge on popular Marathi Musical Contents on ETV Marathi, Sahyadree and Zee Marathi
- Several memorable concerts in the US, UK, Canada and Singapore
Awards and recognition
- Awarded for contribution to semi-classical music by the government of Maharashtra Cultural Wing
- "Swar-Ratna" Award by Marathi TV channel "Sahyadree"
- Padmashree Manik Verma Award
- Pandit Kumar Gandharva Award
- Natasamrat Bal Gandharva Award at the hands of the legendary singer Late Smt Hirabai Badodekar
- "Best Music Composer in Marathi Theatre" award by the government of Maharashtra
- Felicitation by Government of Maharashtra on International Women's Day
- Sangeet Shiromani Award at Banaras
Affiliation with Sa Re Ga Ma Pa
In 2008, Asha Khadilkar was invited as one of the celebrity judges for the Marathi vocal singing competition show, Idea Sa Re Ga Ma Pa, alongside music director Shri.Salil Kulkarni. This season featured adults in their mid-thirties and forties who pursued music as a hobby. The show was aptly named Sa Re Ga Ma Pa: Swapna Swaranche, Navatarunyache (स्वप्न स्वरांचे, नवतारुण्याचे), which roughly translates to Dreams of Music and New Youth.
Personal Details
Asha Khadilkar is married to Madhav Khadilkar, a graduate of NSD (National School Of Drama, New Delhi) and has directed a drama called "Anadi Me Anant Me" which is based on the life of Vinayak Damodar Savarkar. Her daughter Vedashree Oke is a singer while her son-in-law Aditya Oke is a harmonium player.