Vijay Kangutkar

Vijay Kangutkar is a musician of the Indian classical tradition. He is a specialist in the tabla. Born in Mumbai, India, he is now the only full time Hindustani classical musician in Scotland, where he teaches music.
Training
Born and brought up in Mumbai, India, Vijay was introduced to Indian Classical Music from a young age as he accompanied his father Shri Mohan Kangutkar, himself a disciple of Pt. Tulsidas Sharma to regular practice sessions and concerts. At the age of thirteen Vijay began taking Vocal lessons from his father's teacher, the late Pt. Tulsidas Sharma (Disciple of Ustad Bade Gulam Ali Khan of Patiala Gharana). Vijay was soon drawn to Tabla and concentrated on learning under the direction of Shri Madhukar Kunkawalekar, a disciple of the great master Pt. . In 1965 Vijay was put under the tutelage of the great master himself.
Accompanying his father for practise sessions, he attended vocal lessons from his father's teacher late Pt. Tulsidas Sharma (Disciple of Ustad Bade Gulam Ali Khan of Patiala Gharana.) He soon switched to Tabla under the direction of Shri Madhukar Kunkawalekar, a disciple of the great master Pt. Taranath Rao. In 1965, he was put under the tutelage of the great master himself.
Vijay holds a bachelor's degree in music from Gandharva Mahavidhyalaya, Miraj College, Maharashtra, India. The Government of Maharashtra has also honoured him for his contribution to Indian classical music.
Teaching
In 1975 Kangutkar's Guruji left for Goa to take up a teaching post at the Goa Kala Academy. Vijay respectfully stepped into his Guruji's shoes and took over core teaching at the latter's resident classes as well as his position at the Goa Hindu Association Academy Bombay. Vijay settled well. In holidays, Vijay continued his own lessons with visiting Guruji in Goa. Vijay was offered positions at the Deodhar School of Indian Music and Bhartiya Vidhya Bhavan with whom he associated for a year, and later opened his own institution of Tabla in the suburb of Bombay where he lived. He joined the S.N.D.T. University Music Dept as a staff faculty member in 1981.
He currently teaches with the Indian Music and Dance Collective in Edinburgh, Scottish Academy of Asian arts in Glasgow and Education Dept Glasgow City Council.
Performing
In 1967, Vijay began performing as a solo performer and accompanist. Since then he has performed at various music festivals in India. Vijay's playing reflects the grand heritage of the Farukhabad style. His innate sense of rhythm, displayed with crisp, deft strokes, is accessible for the lay person as well as being appreciated by connoisseurs. His solo performances can hold an audience for hours but his sympathetic accompaniment to fellow performers, allowing them to shine, has won him much respect.

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