A professional vocalist in the Hindustani Classical tradition, he began voice culture and music theory with Pandit Rambhau Mate in Pune, in 1980, at the age of 12. After learning the basics of Indian Music, he went on to take advance training in performance theory and technique with Pandit Jitendra Abhisheki, one of the greatest masters of the Agra Gharana in 1989. Sameer went on to become one of the favoured disciples of Panditji, who wholeheartedly acquainted him with the nuances of various raagas and performance techniques. Sameer is at present learning from the renowned Guru and Musicologist Dr Ashok Da. Ranade.
Sameer’s academic qualifications.
- Bachelor of Arts (Top Ranker), Political Science (1989), Pune University.
- Master of Arts, (Top Ranker), Political Science (1991), Pune University.
- Master of Music, (Top Ranker) Lalit Kala Kendra (1996), Pune University.
- Qualified University Lecturer in Music after passing National Eligibility Test, Conducted by University Grants Commission, New Delhi.
Concert Performances.
National Arena.
On the solo concert circuit since 1991, Sameer has performed right across the country,from Pune, Mumbai, Baroda, Delhi, Hyderabad, Indore,Lucknow, Bhopal, Jamshedpur, Nasik , Kolhapur, Ichalkaranji to Kankavli and Ambejogai. He is a featured artist on Alfa TV Marathi in Music program titled “Sur-Taal”, and has also performed in prestigious conferences at :
- Kundgol Sawai Gandharv Mahotsav Kundgol in Karnataka,
- Annual Music Festival at Shimoga organised by “Shrotru” also in Karnataka,
- Aundh Sangeet Sammelan organised by Shivanand Swami Sangeet Pratishthan in Maharashtra,
- Swarabhishek Sangeet Sammelan organised by Sangeet Sabha Udipi at Manipal Karnataka,
- Vasant Utsav- Organised by Harivallabh Sangeet Sabha in Ludhiana, in Punjab.
- The 58th Sawai Gandharv Sangeet Mahotsav held in Pune, Maharashtra.
International Arena.
- Has given live performances in Hindustani Music in countries as culturally varied as Istanbul and Bangkok .
- Has toured U.S. and Canada for concerts with the Tabla Maestro, Pandit Suresh Talwalkar, in 2004.
- Has toured to New Zealand for performances and conducting workshops on Indian Music for New Zealanders in 2005.
- Has toured the U.S. in 2008 for a series of concerts that included New Jersey, Philadelphia, Baltimore, Washington DC, San Jose, Los Angeles and Cincinnati .
Compositions and Publications.
Sameer’s debut audio-cassette was titled Emanation,which was produced in 2000 by Shivranjani Audios, a leading music company in Pune, India. An album based on the saint poetry in Maharashtra titled “ Amha Ghari Dhana Shabdanchich Ratne”, produced by Chaitanyavedh, Pune was released in 2003. His published musical compositions and productions also include four Marathi (language) programs based on indigenous poetry. Sameer was the Music Director for eight full-length and eighteen one-act plays in Marathi and Hindi for prominent institutes including the National School of Drama. This also gave him an opportunity to work with eminent personalities such as Pandit Satyadev Dubey.
Achievements.
- Master Dinanath Mangeshkar Smriti Pratishthan Scholarship for classical music from 1993 through 1997.
- Junior Fellowship in Indian Music awarded by H.R.D. Ministry Department of Culture, Government of India 1997-1999.
- Worked as Lecturer in Music at the S.N.D.T. University, Mumbai from 1998 to 2001 in the University Music Department , teaching both Practical aspects as well as Theory of Indian Music.
- As Visiting Faculty in Music and Voice culture at the Film and Television Institute of India for the acting course.
- Working as Visiting Lecturer in Music for National School of Drama New Delhi for past two years.
- National Secretary of Sangeet Sankalp – a pan Indian society promoting classical music and managed by the musicians themselves. It is devoted to providing a platform to the upcoming and the middle rung artistes who somehow do not find a foothold on the `celebrity-circuit’.
- Founder Member of The Indian Voice Association, an organization of professional voice users, working in the field of Voice and Vocal Culture.
- Mentor at the Lalit Kala Kendra, Pune University and on the panel of the Gurus of the Kendra.
- Co-founder of the “Society for Performing Entrepreneurs and Conscious Training towards Understanding Music, popularly known as SPECTRUM, together with Shri Nitin Amin, a young flautist from Pune. SPECTRUM has also published a software CD set titled “Gaan Jidnyasa – Musiquest”, an interactive CD-ROM teaching the basics of Indian Music, and also teaches you how to learn to listen to Art Music! In short, everything necessary to make you a “Kaan sen”.
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