Pushkar’s Musical Journey:

A toy harmonium gifted by his aunt, while he was still in kindergarten, became instrumental in paving a life path for Pushkar. His renditions of the national anthem and nursery rhymes on that toy harmonium, caught his mother’s attention. Very soon, he was enrolled in a light music class being held at home for his sister, under the guidance of Ms Medha Gandhe. A couple of months shy of his seventh birthday, Pushkar performed publicly for an audience, earning for himself, the title of child prodigy!

Thus began a journey of formal training in classical music from veteran Guru of Gwalior gharana - Pt. Gangadharbua Pimpalkhare, (a disciple of Pt. Vinayakbua Patwardhan and Pt. Sawai Gandharva). It was in those eight years of rigorous training that his foundation in music became rock solid, thanks to Pimpalkhare Guruji. As his musical prowess evolved, Pushkar went on to train under Pt. Vijay Koparkar, (a disciple of Pt. Vasantrao Deshpande and Pt. Jitendra Abhisheki) for yet another eight years.

Having traversed a journey of nearly 15 years, Pushkar found himself in a state of quandary. A phase of seeking, with no convincing answers, coupled with personal tribulations, were all driving him to a place of frustration and disillusionment vis-à-vis his music, something he so revered. It was at this time that he chanced upon ‘Mukkam Vashi’ a transcription of Pt. Kumar Gandharva’s residential workshop in Vashi. This paperback with 182 pages was the key transformational element in Pushkar’s life. He not only found answers, but realized how strongly Kumarji’s thoughts resonated with his own. This experience kindled in Pushkar an irresistible urge to understand his musical philosophy and learn his diverse repertoire, which led him to learn the finer nuances of Kumar ji’s gayaki from Pt. Vijay Sardeshmukh and Pt. Satyasheel Deshpande (both, senior disciples of Pt. Kumar Gandharva).

Besides completing his Masters in Hindustani Vocal Classical Music from the Centre for Performing Arts popularly known as Lalit Kala Kendra, University of Pune, Pushkar also procured a Diploma in Public Relations and Corporate Communications, from the prestigious Xavier Institute of Communications, Mumbai.

With over two decades of rigorous study under renowned Gurus, Pushkar feels enriched. His quest for further knowledge continues, albeit with a profound awareness of how much more lies ahead, untapped and unexplored!

Pushkar is the Founder-Director of ‘Gandhaar School of Music’ . Here, students are trained in Hindustani Classical Vocal Music, with a contemporary approach.



Recognitions:

A recipient of the Central Government scholarships for Classical Vocal Music awarded by the Centre for Cultural Resources and Training (CCRT) as well as the Department of Culture, Government of India, Pushkar has featured on various TV channels - E-TV (Marathi), Zee Marathi and Doordarshan (Sahyadri, National and Bharati).

Pushkar is a B-HIGH graded artiste of the All India Radio. His vast repertoire of musical renditions consists of Natyasangeet, Bhavgeet, Bhajan, Tappa, Thumri, Dadra, Hori and other semi-classical and folk forms.

INDIA TODAY (Sept 26 2011, Special Issue), a prestigious news and current affairs magazine, has profiled Pushkar as one of the 35 Young Achievers/Youth Icons from various fields from all over India.



Blessings from the Legends:

Legendary artistes, musicologists, critics and stalwarts of classical music have showered their love and affection upon Pushkar. He feels extremely fortunate to have been blessed by the likes of Vidushi Dr. Gangubai Hangal, Bharat Ratna Pt. Bhimsen Joshi, Bharat Ratna Lata Mangeshkar, Shri. P.L.Deshpande, Pt. Chota Gandharva, Pt. Yashwantbua Joshi, Pt. Shivkumar Sharma, Pt. Jasraj, Ganasaraswati Smt. Kishori Amonkar, Vidushi Girijadevi, Vidushi Smt. Malini Rajurkar, Pt. Budhaditya Mukherjee, Dr. Prabha Atre, Taalayogi Pt. Suresh Talwalkar, Pt. Hridaynath Mangeshkar, Suresh Wadkar and many others.



Beyond Music:

Pushkar’s passion for design and interior décor inspired him to work on his own abode. Over the years, his home has been featured in various newspapers - DNA Pune, Sakaal Pune , Mid-Day Pune, and even in prestigious magazines - Citadel and Society Interiors. His love for world cinema, motivated him to complete the Film Appreciation Course from FTII, Pune. Trained in Bharatanatyam for a year, Pushkar’s leisure moments comprise working out, reading, gardening, food & travel and theater. True to his multifaceted personality, Pushkar claims to be an 'Artist' first, then a 'Vocalist'!