Artists performing for Asha Diwali Morning Concert 2011

Sanket Joshi

I have been learning Hindustani classical as well as light vocal music from Shree. Vishwanath Oak from Aurangabad for more than 15 years. In addition, I have also taken professional light music training from Music director Padmashree Shree. Kalyanji bhai of the "Kalyanji-Anandji" fame. As a child artist, I performed in his "Little -Wonders" concert for about 4 years (part of his Kalaveer academy) and was one of the finalists in TVS-SAREGAMA. I've had the good opportunity to present my music to the masses through more than 14 shows of my own concert : Swar-Sanket (blend of Hindi / Marathi melodies) all over Maharashtra.

My singing career continued to grow through my masters in ASU and while working in Microsoft - Seattle, thanks to the Maharashtra Mandal and a great group of performing enthusiasts. At this juncture, I also won the singing contest Meri Awaj Suno organised by Pratidhwani. I have had the privilege to perform classical music for a global audience organised by Northwest Language Academy.

Over the years, I have had the fortuity of performing various forms of Indian music such as light music, gazals, Indian classical music. Music is my passion, and it feels even better to be able to blend in my passion towards a good cause. I would like to thank ASHA for giving me this opportunity.


Ganga Narayanan

Software Engineer by profession. Music and Dance are my passion.
Participated and won numerous competitions in school and college in music and dance.
Recently, a finalist in Zee SaReGaMaPa USA 2008.
Very active in the music and dance circle in Seattle.

Currenly learning Carnatic vocal from Meera Krishna.


Jayant Bhopatkar

Jayant started Tabla training at the age of 9 and learnt Tabla for about 3 years from Mr. Vasant Keluskar, who used to play for live Sangeet Nataks in Mumbai. He has since then developed his tabla playing on his own, mostly in the Khayal accompaniment and some in the Bhakti-geet and Sugam-sangeet areas. He has accompanied many renowned artists visiting from India such as Veena Sahasrabuddhe, Laxmi Shanker, Aphale-bua, Sunil Mungi, and local artists such as Tapan Bhattacharya (Chicago), Sharad Gadre (Seattle), Gopal Marathe (Los Angeles), etc.


Makarand Gadre

Makarand is a technology professional, who lives in Redmond, and is an accomplished harmonium player. He is largely self-taught as to harmonium technique, and accompanied his uncle Late Dr. Sharad Gadre while getting guidance on the finer points of raga characteristics and dynamics. He has accompanied local as well as visiting artists in Seattle.