Pandit Rajendra Kulkarni
Instrument / Art Form: Flute
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Pandit Rajendra Kulkarni hails from Belgaum. He began learning the bansuri (flute) at the age of six under the guidance of his father, Pt. Balasaheb Kulkarni. Later, he received advanced training from the eminent vocalist and music scholar of the Gwalior gharana, Pt. Narayanrao Vinayakrao Patwardhan.
He has performed at major music festivals across India in cities such as Delhi, Kolkata, Mumbai, Chennai, Pune, Bengaluru, Hyderabad, Nagpur, Panaji, Baroda, and Belgaum, earning immense appreciation from audiences. Internationally, he has showcased his art in China, Japan, France, England, Germany, Switzerland, Australia, Afghanistan, and many other countries.
Academically, he secured first rank in the Sangeet Alankar degree from Akhil Bharatiya Gandharva Mahavidyalaya. He was honored with the “Surmani” award in 1981, and later received numerous accolades including:
- Yuva Kalakar Puraskar from Pt. Bhimsen Joshi (1993, Pune)
- Aditya Shikhar Puraskar
- Pratishtha Punyabhushan Puraskar
- Ba. Si. Upadhye Puraskar
- Pt. Pannalal Ghosh Puraskar (Kolhapur)
- Pt. Pannalal Ghosh Venu Ratna Puraskar (Pune)
- Recently, the Pt. Bhimsen Joshi Puraskar (Pune)
He holds the Top Grade Artist status from All India Radio and Doordarshan, having performed in about 15–16 national programs.
His bansuri playing style is distinctive—rooted in the traditions of Pt. Pannalal Ghosh and Prasanna Gharane, yet enriched with influences from various vocal gharanas, creating a unique identity of its own.
Remarkably, he achieved all this while serving in the State Bank of India for 34 years, balancing his professional career with his passion for music.