Trustees

Late Shri. Madhav Khadilkar

Shri. Madhav Raghunath Khadilkar was the Chief Trustee and backbone of all the activities of Uttung Sanskrutik Pariwar Trust and in shaping the trust vision to monumental levels of achievements  since its inception . He passed away on 3rd Feb 2024 in Mumbai,  after devoting his life to performing arts, cultural and social activities. Uttung Sanskrutik Pariwar Trust and all its members and supporters pay a humble homage to him .

Born in Sangali, Maharashtra in 1943, Madhavrao Khadilkar graduated from the National School of Drama, New Delhi under national scholarship. He received valuable training and guidance from Prof. Ebrahim Alkazi. During this period, he played central roles in many plays like “Othello”, “SkandGupta”, “Hiroshima” and “Three Penny Opera”. He then went to Germany on an international scholarship to study the western drama and theatre, especially German, from the German National Theatre, Weimar and Berlin. He received guidance from Fritz Bennewitz of the German National Theatre, Weimar. He participated in many activities such as organizing an exhibition of photographs on the theme – “Influence of Shakespeare on Marathi Drama and Theatre”.

Madhavrao worked in Dena Bank from 1975 till 2001. He not only graced the post of “Chief Public Relations Officer” but also worked as the chief of department of arts and culture . He received numerous awards and prizes for direction, production and play writing.

Madhavrao  contributed substantially to dramatics and theatre in his illustrious and active career. Some of his notable achievements are :
  • Directed the plays “Sangeet Swayamwar” and “Daryasagar” for Mumbai Marathi Sahitya Sangh.
  • He played important roles in the plays “Sangeet Swayamwar” and “Sangeet Ka Dhadila Ram Tine Vani”.
  • Translated the play “The Caucasian Chalk Circle” in Marathi by the name “Ajab Nyaya Vartulacha”. The Marathi play was showcased in Switzerland and Germany.
  • Directed the comedy play “Sangeet Natya Kallol”.
  • Wrote the play “Om Rigvedaya Namaha” about the ancient Indian epic Rigveda.
  • Wrote, directed, produced and played the lead role in the play “Anaadi Mee Anant Mee” depicting the revolutionary thoughts and patriotism of the patriotic life of Swatantryaveer Sawarkar. The play was inaugurated in the famous India House in London, UK and he performed over 150 shows of this play in India and countries like the UK, US and Canada. He received felicitation from Govt. of Maharashtra for the script of the play.
  • Wrote and directed plays like “Samar Swatantryache”, “Amrut Natyagatha”.
  • Directed ten plays for the Maharashtra Mandal, New Delhi. Worked as an assistant director and producer for the song and drama division.
  • Directed and acted as Lokmanya Tilak in the Independence Day parrade tableau representating the Govt. of Maharashtra. The tableau received the National prize for the best tableau.
  • Honored the post of Director of the Drama training courses for Mumbai Marathi Grantha Sangrahalaya and Akhil Bharatiya Marathi Natya Parishad
  • Graced the post of Director of “Amrut Natya Bharati” – A premier drama training institute owned by the Mumbai Marathi Sahitya Sangh.

Smt. Asha Khadilkar

One of the most renowned and popular classical / semi-classical vocalist, Smt. Asha Khadilkar was born in Sangali, Maharashtra. She began her training in music at an age of five and had the priviledge of receiving guidance from stalwarts like late Balkrishnabuva Mohite, late Padmashree Manik Verma, Pt. Yashwantbuva Joshi, Pt. Shankarrao Abhyankar, late Pt. Jitendra Abhisheki and late Pt. Vasantrao Deshpande.

During the period 1976-1984, she did music direction for theme-based creations like Kathak dance concerts, Ballets as well as many “Sangeet Natak”s. Some of these include “HrituVilasam” – Kathak Ballet, “Anadee Mee Anant Mee” – A play based on the life of Swatantryaweer Sawarkar, “Sangeet Aradhana” – Produced by Nehru Center, “Shapit Gandharva” – Based on the life of Kundan lal Sehgal, produced by Nehru Center, “Uttar Ramayana” – Produced by Nehru Center.

She has been a grade artist on the All India Radio (AIR) since the age of 16 and her classical and semi-classical performances have regularly been aired on AIR ever since.

In her long illustrious career, she has carried out numerous projects to promote classical music. These include much acclaimed “Hori Rang Rangilee”, “Sawan Rang”, “Hritu Rang” and “Rachanakaronko Pranam”. She has been associated with SPIC-MACAY for a long time and has presented lecture-demonstrations for students in a number of schools and colleges. She at present is associated with S.N.D.T. and offers her valuable guidance to the postgraduate students in music. She has also performed at their national seminar held in 2007.

Ashaji has also made numerous appearances on numerous television channels including Zee TV Marathi’s much-acclaimed “Sa Re Ga Ma Pa Forty Plus”, for which she was the honorary judge throughout the schedule.

She has performed not only all over India but also regularly receives invitations to perform in countries like the UK, USA and Canada and she has a huge fan following in these countries.

She has numerous audio releases to her credit. Some of the audio industry giants who have released her audio cassettes / CDs include: HMV, T-Series, Venus, Wings, Classic and Polydar.

Shri. Omkar Khadilkar

Omkar Khadilkar has been working as a Trustee for Uttung Sanskrutik Pariwar Trust since 2015. He organizes and manages Uttung’s cultural events in Pune.

Omkar holds a Bachelor of Engineering degree in Electronics and engages full time  in Software Services Consulting and business growth  in the Information Technology sector for more than 25 years. Omkar is actively involved in the field of performing arts, culture and social activities.

Following are some of his notable achievements :
  • Freelance Voice-Over Artiste in Marathi, Hindi and English languages with 2+ years of work experience.
  • Training in Indian Classical Vocal Music under the guidance of Veteran Gwalior Gharana Musicologist Pt. Dr. Vikas Kashalkar
  • Performances in small-scale Indian Classical, Semi-Classical and Devotional Vocal Music Concerts
  • Actively performing as Lead Actor in Marathi Experimental Theater in a Biopic stage play “अनादि मी, अनंत मी ”  www.facebook.com/AMAMSavarkarDarshan
  • Actively performing in popular Marathi  Musical Stage Plays such as ,”angeet Madanachi Manjiri” , Sangeet Matsyagandha”, “Sangeet Manapman” as well as experimental musical plays such as “Sangeet Balgandharva” , “Sangeet Natyavedh”
  • Has performed as supporting actor in  Marathi Short Films and a TV Series

Smt. Vedashree Oke

Vedashree Oke organizes and manages Uttung’s cultural events in Thane. She is M.A. with Music (Gold Medalist) from S.N.D.T. Women’s University. She is learning Indian Classical under the tutelage of her mother Pta. Asha Khadilkar. She has also learnt Light Vocal Music from late Pt. Yashwant Deo.

Following are her notable achievements :

  • Participant of Hindi SA RE GA MA
  • Acted in renowned Marathi Sangeet Natak ‘कटयार काळजात घुसली’ for over 75 shows with Subodh Bhave, Mahesh Kale and Rahul Deshpande.
  • Acted in ETV Marathi’s television programs.
  • playback singing for recent super hit Marathi feature films “टाईमपास”  and “टाईमपास -२”, directed by Ravi Jadhav
  • Playback for the famous Marathi serial “स्वराज्यरक्षक संभाजी”
  • Director of the program “ती तेव्हा तशी” with actor SUNIL BARVE, currently doing the shows of “सूरदासी आशा ” and “आशा माणिक गीते”
  • Performed in various theme based programs such as “आइना – ए – गझल”, “औडव-रंग”, “पाऊस वेळा”, “सूर चांदण्यांचे”, “रंग प्रेमाचे” and also with leading Classical Singer Shri Rahul Deshpande (E T.V Marathi), Marathi Sangeet Natak (E T.V Marathi).
  • Vocal accompaniment to Kathak dance with Prachi Shah  and Sonia Parchure.
  • Vocal performances in Singapore and UK with her Guru Pta. Asha Khadilkar.
  • Recipient of prestigious awards such as “NavDurga Purarkar”, Thane for contribution in Indian Vocal Music.
  • Acted in Sangeet Natak “कविराज जयदेव” and won the award for the Best Supporting Actress.
  • Director of Asha Khadilkar Academy of Performing Arts in Thane for guiding young students in Indian Classical and Semi-Classical Vocal Music, Dance and Dramatics through online and classroom coaching.

Homage to late Shri. Yashwant Pandit

Shri. Yashwant Pandit was one of the trustees and pillars of Uttung Sanskrutik Pariwar Trust since its inception in 1994. He passed away on 12th July 2013. Uttung Sanskrutik Pariwar Trust pays humble homage to him.

Shri. Yashwant Pandit, born in Ratnagiri, Maharashtra was an electrical supervisor by qualification. He worked with M/s. Pandit Electrics till 1983 and retired after a span of 35 years. He then worked as a P.A. of late Shri. Srikrishna Pandit, Senior Economist – International Monitory Fund (IMF) in India till 1996. He had been actively involved in the field of arts and culture since more than 30 years and had honored many prestigeous posts in cultural organizations.

Shri. Yashwant Pandit had honored many prestigeous posts for various cultural trusts, foundations and committees. Some of them include :

  • Honorary member of the working committee and then the joint secretory of Akhil Bharatiya Marathi Natya Parishad – Mumbai for ten years.
  • Member of the working committee for arts and culture, Mumbai Marathi Sahitya Sangh – Mumbai for four years.
  • Executive committee member of the Indian National Theatre for six years.
  • Trustee of the Manukaka Pandit Foundation, Vile parle – Mumbai.
  • Joint secretory of the 60th Natya Sammelan at Mumbai.
  • Member of many prestigeous felicitation committees like the Natavarya Prabhakar Panshikar felicitation committee, Natavarya Bhalchandra Pendharkar felicitation committee, Sangeetbhushan Pt. Ram Marathe felicitation committee.

Shri. Pandit had also been actively involved in social work, especially in the Konkan region of Maharashtra. With the support and inspiration from late. Shri. Shrikrishna (Manukaka) Pandit and with the help of the villagers, he had carried out many essential development projects like roads, schools, electricity, large water tanks, temples etc. His substantial contribution towards welfare of the society was recognized and he was felicitated by the P. B. Bhave foundation in 1992.