Arati Ankalikar Tikekar

Arati Ankalikar Tikekar began her training with the late Pandit Vasantrao Kulkarni of the Agra/Gwalior gharanas (singing traditions) and subsequently studied with many great artists, including the late Gaanasaraswati Kishori Amonkar (Jaipur-Atrauli), the late Pandit Dinkar Kaikini (Agra), and Pandit Ulhas Kashalkar (Gwalior). Drawing from these diverse gharana influences, she has developed a style of singing uniquely suited to her tonal quality and vocal range. Whether performing a bada khayal (which requires a gradual elaboration of a raag from a slow tempo to a rapid conclusion), a light-hearted thumri, or a devotional bhajan, Arati’s captivating badhat (development of the composition) and the passion she infuses into every performance have made her a favourite among connoisseurs while also winning over newer listeners to raag sangeet (Indian classical music).

Arati has also sung for Hindi, Marathi, and regional cinema, earning the Best Playback Singer award for the Konkani film Anternaad in 2006 and for the Marathi film Samhita in 2012. She has received numerous accolades, including the Maharashtra State Award for Best Playback Singer, the V. Shantaram Award, and the Maharashtra Times Award for a Marathi film.

She has performed at prestigious conferences across India, such as the Sawai Gandharva Mahotsav (Pune), Tansen Sangeet Samaroh (Gwalior), and Dover Lane Music Conference (Kolkata), as well as extensively in Canada and many other countries, where she has worked tirelessly to raise awareness of raag sangeet.

After her memorable appearance on the Aga Khan Museum stage in 2019, we are delighted to welcome Arati Ankalikar-Tikekar back—at the height of her career—for a full concert of raag sangeet.