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.

An accomplished tabla player with more than 20 years of stage experience, Rigved Deshpande has trained under esteemed gurus Pandit Chandrashekhar Vaze, Shri Swapnil Bhate, and, for the past six years, Pandit Ramdas Palsule. He has also studied vocal music with Pandit Suresh Bapat for eight years, enriching his understanding of raag sangeet. Rigved has accompanied leading artists such as Vidushi Padma Talwalkar, Pandit Ajoy Chakraborty, and Pandit Shaunak Abhisheki, and has performed at prestigious events including the Sawai Gandharva-Bhimsen Mahotsav (Pune), Devgandharva Mahotsav (Mumbai), and Sur Mansoor Festival (Mumbai). His international appearances include concerts in Abu Dhabi, Bahrain, and Germany, earning him a respected place in the tabla community.

Hailing from Puttur, Karnataka, harmonium player Kishan Prabhu began his musical journey at age eight under Vidushi Sharada Bhat. He now trains with Pandit Mounesh Kumar Chavani, an Akashvani (All India Radio) A-grade artist, and continues advanced studies with Shri Prasad Kamath, a disciple of Pandit Sudhir Nayak. An accredited B-grade Akashvani artist, Kishan has accompanied a range of performers across India, bringing sensitivity and skill to every performance.