South Asia Institute is honored to present Dhrupad maestro Uday Bhawalkar for a rare immersive evening of Indian classical music. Widely recognized as one of the foremost vocalists of the Dhrupad tradition, Bhawalkar has played a significant role in the form’s growing international recognition, resurgence, and contemporary appreciation.
Dhrupad, among the oldest surviving traditions of Hindustani classical music, is known for its meditative depth, sustained tonal exploration, and spiritual intensity. Through the unfolding of raga, voice, breath, and resonance, the form invites listeners into an experience of deep attention and contemplation. Uday Bhawalkar’s performances are celebrated for their ability to communicate across cultural and linguistic boundaries, drawing audiences into immersive sonic environments where, as he describes, “the self dissolves and only the music remains.”
About Uday Bhawalkar
Bhawalkar trained under two of the towering figures of the Dhrupad tradition: Ustaad Zia Fariduddin Dagar and Ustaad Zia Mohiuddin Dagar. Since his debut performance in 1985, he has appeared at major festivals and institutions throughout India, Europe, North America, Asia, and the Middle East, including the Salzburg Music Festival in Austria. He has collaborated with artists across disciplines and cultures, contributed to international film soundtracks, and worked extensively as an educator at institutions including the Rotterdam Music Conservatory, the University of Washington in Seattle, and the ITC Sangeet Research Academy in Kolkata.
Over the course of his career, Bhawalkar has received numerous prestigious honors, including the Kumar Gandharva Samman, the Raza Foundation Award, the Sangeet Natak Akademi Award, the Kalidas Samman, and the Hanumant Award.
This special evening at South Asia Institute offers audiences an opportunity to encounter one of the great living masters of South Asian classical music through an intimate experience of sound, listening, and presence.