Uday Bhawalkar is one of India's most talented dhrupad singers, acclaimed by the Western public as well as by Indian classical music connoisseurs. In his performances of the technically challenging, deeply spiritual devotional songs known as dhrupad, Uday follows in the glorious tradition of musicians like Zia Mohiuddin Dagar and Zia Fariduddin Dagar, the foremost contemporary proponents of this ancient form of classical North Indian music. Dhrupad, with roots linked to the chanting of Vedic scriptures, is a pure, highly sophisticated form that is meant to induce feelings of peace and contemplation in its listeners.

Born in Madhya Pradesh state in 1966, Mr. Bhawalkar started his training in music at the age of eight. He has studied under Zia Mohiuddin Dagar and Zia Fariduddin Dagar, with a national scholarship and fellowship from the Indian government's cultural department. More recently he has performed extensively, both within India and internationally at venues throughout Europe and the US.

In dhrupad, the singer's voice is traditionally joined by the pakhawaj, an ancient type of double-headed drum that plays against the singer to create a dialogue of intricate patterns and improvisations. One of India's leading pakhawaj masters, Manik Munde, joins Mr. Bhawalkar on stage tonight. Living in Bombay, Mr. Munde is known worldwide as accompanist of the major dhrupad artists, both instrumental and vocal.