- This event is over. However, time travel possible through our Audio & Video! See upcoming events
250. Capturing Artistry (with Aditi Kaikini Upadhya & Priya Purushothaman)
From Teacher to Student
Speakers
The BIC series, My Guru, My Art takes an intimate look at the Guru-Shishya tradition and hopes to capture for posterity the stories of how the magic is created. Conversations between two artistes, Guru and Shishya, will explore their personal histories of learning a classical art form, sharing memories of interactions with their teachers, inspirations, influences, anecdotes of compositions and teaching moments, punctuated by music to illustrate the stories.
In this episode of BIC Talks Vidushi Aditi Kaikini Upadhya and her disciple Priya Purushothaman reflect on the Guru-Shishya tradition within their rich musical parampara. Tracing back to Pandit Bhatkhande, Pandit SN Ratanjankar, and Pandit Dinkar Kaikini, this musical lineage is known for scholarship, composition, and an intentional pedagogical approach.
Aditiji shares her thoughts about the nature of taalim and the rigorous training she received from her gurus, Smt Shashikala Kaikini and Pandit Dinkar Kaikini. In dialogue with Priya, she discusses her shishya’s taalim experience and how this process takes shape in the modern day.
Along with conversation and anecdotes, this episode will showcase special compositions and musical exchanges that highlight the way creative knowledge is transferred in this art form.
Subscribe to the BIC Talks Podcast on your favourite podcast app! BIC Talks is available everywhere, including iTunes, Spotify, Google Podcasts, Castbox, Overcast and Stitcher.
Speakers
Aditi Kaikini Upadhya
Aditi Kaikini Upadhya was born into a family rich in musical tradition and artistic example. Aditi has received intense training in the traditional paramparic style, characterized by the dedicated and close tutelage of her Guru and father, Pandit Dinkar Kaikini, himself a renowned gavaiyya of the Agra Gharana, and her mother, respected vocalist Shashikala Kaikini. A worthy spokeswoman of her father’s powerful but nuanced style of singing, she has also chosen to highlight her lighter musical side, following training under Smt. Shobha Gurtu, known for her unparalleled mastery of Dadra, Thumri and Hori. Currently, she receives select guidance from Pandit Indudhar Nirody. In addition to having an international performing career, she is an active educator, guiding a select group of disciples and conducting workshops and lecture-demonstrations in India and abroad.
Priya Purushothaman
Priya Purushothaman is a Hindustani vocalist trained in the style of the Agra gharana by Vidushi Aditi Kaikini Upadhya and Pandit Sudhindra Bhaumik. She has also had the opportunity to receive specialized training from Pandit Dinkar Kaikini and Smt Shashikala Kaikini. She performs in India and abroad, and is dedicated to increasing awareness about Hindustani music through teaching and writing.
