My Compelling Story

Kumar Mardur is a professional classical singer based out of the capital city of West Bengal, Kolkata. Mardur hails from the rich traditions of Dharwad. He started his training from his father, Pt Somanath Mardur, a renowned vocalist in Hindustani classical music of the Kirana gharana (school) of music. His father has been the senior disciple of veteran artists like Padmabhushan Dr Puttaraj Gavai, Padmabhushan Dr Basavaraj Rajguru, and Padmavibhushan Dr Mallikarjun Mansur. Kumar once had an opportunity of learning from the great maestro of the Kirana gharana, Late Dr Pt Firoz Dasturji, who was also a senior-most disciple of Late Sawai Gandharva. Kumar Mardur is famous for his pure and aesthetic raga presentation, crystal-clear taan patterns and a great command over laya. Kumar holds a master's degree in music from Karnatak University, Dharwad. He has performed nationwide and abroad, enthralling diverse audiences. He is also an AIR and Doordarshan-approved artist, and performs for them regularly. Performances: Concerts tour to US and Singapore Pt Ganayogi Panchakshara Smriti Sangeetotsav in Gadag, Mumbai, Chennai, Bangalore, Dharwad, Hubli, etc. Sawai Gandharva Bhimsen Sangeet Mahotsav, Pune 2011 Sawai Gandharva Festival, Kundgol, Karnataka Ustad Amirkhan Smriti Samroh, Indore, MP Dr Mallikarjun Mansur Smriti Sangeetotsav, Dharwad Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi Dr Basavaraj Rajguru Smriti Sangeetotsav, Dharwad NCPA Mumbai Pt Omkarnath Thakur Fondation, Thane Malhar Utsav, Bangalore Dadar Matunga Cultural Center, Mumbai Swar Vilas, Baroda Megh Malhar, Varanasi Deval Club, Kolhapur Pt Vishnu Digambar Jayanti Samaroh, New Delhi Sunny Towers, Kolkata Sangeet Research Academy, Kolkata IMG St Xavier’s College, Mumbai All Bengal Music Conference, Kolkata Arohi by Pancham Nishad, Mumbai Sangeet Pratibha by Sangeet Natak Academy, Dharwad Gaanvardhan, Pune Awards and Recognition: Padmavibhushan Dr Mallikarjun Mansur Memorial National Youth Award by Dr Mallikarjun Mansur National Trust, Dharwad Dr Vasantrao Deshpande Memorial Yuva Kalakar Puraskar 2007 by Dr Vasantrao Deshpande Memorial Foundation, Pune Vidyasagar Award 2006 by Music Forum, Mumbai Yuva Gayak Puraskar by Gandharva Mahavidyalay, Pune First prize in Khayal Gayan Spardha 2003 (Pt Omkarnath Music Foundation Thane) First prize in Udayan Indubhai Classical Vocal Music Competition 2004 (Swar Vilas Baroda) First prize in International Student’s Festival, 2000 at Chandigarh First prize in South Asian University Youth Festival (SAUFEST) at Nagpur First prize in National Youth Festival 2001 at Banaras Scholarships by Karnataka State Sangeet Nritya Academy, Bangalore Department of Culture, New Delhi Avani Rasika Ranga, Dharwad Mani Mann Fellowship by Sanskriti Pratishthan, New Delhi for the year 2006 Commercial Releases: CD and Cassettes of Kumar’s classical renderings, released by Legendary Legacy, Thane CD released by Mystica Music of New Delhi