Vishwas Shirgaonkar – Past Concerts

Vishwas Shirgaonkar received his initial musical training from Pt. Anant Kogaje and Pt. Yeshwantbua Joshi, both stalwarts of the Gwalior gharana. He subsequently received extensive training in the Jaipur/Atrauli gharana gayaki from Pt. Anandrao Limaye of Kolhapur, and Pt. Ratnakar Pai of the Jaipur gharana over a period of 16 years. Vishwas Shirgaonkar combines the two major sub-streams of the Jaipur gharana khayal tradition. The specialty and purity of this gayaki – its solid foundation of bandish, its many-stranded elaboration of the raga, its play with the laya, and its complex tan patterns – are all evident in his singing. Through a single-minded pursuit of the basic principles of this gayaki, Vishwas reassures the contemporary audience that the gharana principles are far from outdated. Currently serving as President, India International Spiritual & Cultural Center, Virginia, USA, a non-profit cultural and performing arts institute and engaged in teaching and promoting Hindustani Classical Music, Dance, Languages and Yoga in the US. Vishwas holds an M.S. in Systems Management and a B.E. (Electrical Engineering) and has retired from a successful career in the World Bank managing its financial and administrative systems.