Umakant and Ramakant Gundecha are one of India’s leading exponents of the Dhrupad style of music. They are among the most active young performers of Dhrupad in Indian and international circuits. Born in Ujjain in Central India, both were initiated into music by their parents.
Gundecha Brothers received conventional university education and learned the Dhrupad vocal art under the renowned Dhrupad vocalist Ustad Zia Fariduddin Dagar and also with Ustad Zia Mohiuddin Dagar (the distinguished performer of Rudra Veena) in Dhrupad Kendra Bhopal.
The Gundecha Brothers have sung great Hindi poetry by Tulsidas, Kabir, Padmakar, Nirala in Dhrupad style . They have recorded about numerous cassettes and CDs by H.M.V, Music Today, Rhythm House, Senseworld Music, Sundaram Records, IPPNW Concerts Berlin, Navras and Audio Rec London. They have also sung for many television channels in India and have been broadcasted on British, U.S., German and French, Japan and Australian Radio as well. As well as being an integral part of all of India’s prestigious music festivals, the Brothers have also performed at many important international music festivals and institutions in about 25 countries in Europe, U.S.A, Australia, Japan, Egypt, Singapore, Bangladesh, U.A.E and Hongkong.
They have received M.P. Govt. Scholarship from 1981 to 1985, National Fellowship from 1987 to 89, Ustad Allauddin Khan Fellowship in 1993, Sanskriti Award in 1994 and Kumar Gandharva Award in 1998 by Govt. of Madhaya Pradesh and Dagar Gharana Award by Mewar Foundation in 2001.
Partial Discography:
Vol. 1, Raag- Bhimpalasi, Gurjari Todi, Malkauns (Rhythm House)
Vol. 2, Raag- Bihag, Madhumad Sarang, Sohni (Rhythm House)
Bhaktimala – Rama – Vol. 1 (Music Today)
Bhaktimala – Shiva – Vol. 1 (Music Today)
Bhaktimala – Hanumana – Vol. 2 (Music Today)
Bhaktimala – Ganesh – Vol. 1 (Music Today)
Young Masters -Vol.1 (Music Today)
Raga – Shyam Kalyan and Jaijaiwanti (Music Today)
Vol. 1, Raga – Bhupali, Puriya Dhanashri, Shankara (HMV)
Vol. 2, Raga- Jounpuri, Megh, Komal Rishabh Asawari (HMV)
Raga- Darbari (Audio Rec, 1998)
Raag- Yaman and Charukeshi (Navras)
Durga Kavach (Isha Music)
Raga – Komal Rishabh Asawari (Sense World Music, 2003)
Darshan (Sense World Music, 2004)
Raga- Bhairava (Sundaram Records, 2003)
Sattva (Sense World Music, 2006)
Tears on a Lotus (Sense World Music, 2008)
Night Prayer (Felmay Records, 2013)
Author: Angel Romero
Angel Romero y Ruiz has dedicated his life to musical exploration. His efforts included the creation of two online portals, worldmusiccentral.org and musicasdelmundo.com. In addition, Angel is the co-founder of the Transglobal World Music Chart, a panel of world music DJs and writers that celebrates global sounds. Furthermore, he delved into the record business, producing world music studio albums and compilations. His works have appeared on Alula Records, Ellipsis Arts, Indígena Records and Music of the World.
