Biography

  Mahesh Kale is a proficient vocalist of the new generation with a captivating stage presence, that has along with his vocal ability and uncommon musicality, positioned him firmly on the national and international radar of the North Indian classical music community. As a pupil of Pandit Jitendra Abhisheki, he has an eminent pedigree and his thrilling performances bear this out. His discipline under this doyen has not only made him a brilliant classical vocalist, but has also made him equally skilled at Dadra, Thumri, Bhajans, Tappa, Bhavgeet, and Natyasangeet. He was initiated into music by his mother, Smt Meenal Kale (a disciple of Smt Veena Sahasrabuddhe), and presently continues to receive guidance from Shri Shounak Abhisheki. Mahesh has proved his presence firmly, as a popular artist and has performed extensively in India, Europe, USA, Southeast Asia and UAE, Mahesh has been playing the central character in a traditional Sangeet Natak (musical), Katyar Kaljat Ghusli (Photos), for which, he was acknowledged with an award by the Akhil Bharatiya Marathi Natya Parishad (2010). Mahesh had his debut performance at the prestigious Sawai Gandharva Music Festival (2011) which received a generous appreciation. Mahesh maintains an open outlook towards music to reach out to the new generation while retaining the traditions. He has performed with world famous percussionists including Trilok Gurtu, Zakir Hussain, and Sivamani, and instrumentalists like Frank Martin and Pedro Eustache, infusion and collaborative works, ably demonstrating his versatility as a composer and singer. In an effort to spread education and awareness about Indian classical music in the western world, Mahesh gives lecture-demonstrations in various universities in the USA (including Harvard and Stanford University).