Awards & Recognition

Uttara is an artist with a sound academic background. She graduated in English Literature & went on to pursue her passion for music, earning a Master’s degree in music from S.N.D.T. Women’s University. She was honored with the title “Gaana-Hira” for ranking first in the university’s music faculty.
Uttara also holds a degree in Library Science earning a fourth rank in Mumbai University.
A U.G.C. fellow, Uttara earned a doctorate degree in music in 2003 for her thesis on Hindustani Classical Vocal Mehfil in The Twentieth Century(1940-2000). Her academic foundation adds a unique intellectual dimension to her musical artistry.

Uttara’s creative urge extends beyond performance into composition. She has composed music for Marathi plays such as “Waatewarati Kaachaga”, addressing child abuse, & “Aasawanchaa Yeto Vaas”, highlighting child labor.
Additionally, she set tunes to the poems of great Marathi poets, namely Kusumagraj, Indira Sant, B.B. Borkar, P.S.Rege , G.V. Karandikar, which received widespread praise for their emotional depth & musicality.
Her innovative concert “Krushnanaad” seamlessly blends classical, semi-classical, and folk music, showcasing her versatility as an artist. She has also designed “Surmohi”, a tribute to the compositions of her guru Dr. Smt. Sushilaji Pohankar.
Uttara has also translated select Tagore poems in Marathi preserving the original tunes, lyrical structure & poetic essence.
She gives a fresh voice to the Bengali poetry & makes it enjoyable for the Marathi speaking audiences.

In her pursuit of expanding her musical horizons, Uttara has ventured into Baul music, a genre of spiritual music rooted in the folk music tradition of Bengal.
Since 2014, Uttara began studying Baul music under the guidance of internationally acclaimed Baul Sadhika, Smt. Parvathy Baul, becoming the only practicing Baul singer in Maharashtra.
Through her training with Parvathy Baul and other Baul practitioners, Uttara has internalized the devotion, spontaneity, philosophy & the spiritual depth of this rare tradition. Uttara narrates the stories in the Baul songs, sings to the accompaniment of instruments like Ektara(a string instrument) and Duggi(a small drum). She also dances to the beats of anklets on her feet.
Her expressive renditions invite audiences to embark on a journey creating a direct & immersive experience.
Learning of Baul songs trained Uttara in understanding Bengali language & Uttara is now translating & singing Baul songs in her mother-tongue Marathi . Preserving the musical form & essence of Baul philosophy these translations are building a bridge between the poets of Bengal & Marathi speaking audiences.
Her sincere surrender to Baul Music has added a new layer to her already diverse musical repertoire.

Uttara is steadily carving a personalized idiom in classical music, blending tradition with innovation. She has performed in major cities across India, and some cities in the USA, captivating audiences with her emotive voice and expressive style.
She has successfully delivered effective lecture- demonstrations in the country and recently in the United Kingdom.
Her Recitals are regularly featured on All India Radio, Insync Music TV channel and Sangeet Samvaad Radio an internet music channel.
Uttara’s music can be enjoyed in YouTube, Spotify, Apple Music & other major platforms.