About
Dr. Uttara Chousalkar
Dr. Uttara Chousalkar is a renowned Indian classical vocalist & performer who has captivated audiences with her rich, soulful voice & in-depth understanding of music. A unique blend of researcher & artist, Uttara’s journey in music has been shaped by dedication, academic rigor, & creative expression.
Dr.Uttara is a rare artist who moves with equal ease between two distinct musical worlds..namely Hindustani classical music, with its deep discipline, structure & grammar & Baul music a mystical practice rooted in song, devotion & spontaneity. Her uniqueness lies not just in mastering two diverse traditions, but in the way she renders emotions with clarity & depth across both. In classical music, she unfolds a raga with measured elegance; in Baul, she allows the music to flow with raw honesty, embodying its liberating spirit & inner search.
Dr.Uttara is a rare artist who moves with equal ease between two distinct musical worlds..namely Hindustani classical music, with its deep discipline, structure & grammar & Baul music a mystical practice rooted in song, devotion & spontaneity. Her uniqueness lies not just in mastering two diverse traditions, but in the way she renders emotions with clarity & depth across both. In classical music, she unfolds a raga with measured elegance; in Baul, she allows the music to flow with raw honesty, embodying its liberating spirit & inner search.
Early Musical Journey and Mentorship
Uttara’s musical journey began at the tender age of eight, under the able guidance of Smt. Vimal Katti & around the age of twelve Uttara began receiving music lessons from the renowned singer Dr. Smt. Jyotsna Mohile-Rao.
In the year 1985 Uttara began learning from Dr. Smt. Sushilaji Pohankar. Dr. Sushilatai was an exceptional vocalist,a scholarly musicologist ,researcher & a visionary Guru. Sushilatai nurtured Uttara in the time-honored Guru-Shishya Parampara.
Under Sushilatai Pohankar Uttara learned not only classical & semi-classical vocal techniques but also gained deep insight into the art of performance. As Sushilatai was an expert on the study of Indian folk music Uttara received training in various folk songs from different Indian regions.
Uttara also learned various bandishes in multiple ragas from the great Sitar exponent & Vaggeykar(composer) Pt. Shankar Abhyankar enriching her musical repertoire.
Highlights
An Artist Who Creates Magic with Every Note
Performances
Academic Excellence and Musical Training
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 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.
Contributions to Indian Music
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.
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.
Baul Music Practitioner
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.
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.
A Rare Star in Indian Music
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.
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.
What the Press Says
Acclaimed for her mastery and dedication, Dr. Uttara Chousalkar continues to inspire the world of Indian classical music with every note.
“Uttara, the youngest vocalist at the IMG Young Artist Festival, showed a highly developed aesthetic sense with an imaginative swaravistaar.”
“Uttara has a substantial voice of volume and melody. She presented an accurate draft of the raga Marwa.”
“Uttara’s recital at Rajasthan University was well applauded.”
“Uttara’s vocal recital at the 20th concert of Sangeet Sankalp at the Punjabi University, Patiala was a delight to the audience.”
Dr. Uttara Chousalkar
Dr. Uttara Chousalkar continues to make a significant mark in the world of Indian classical music, earning recognition for her artistry, creativity, and commitment to preserving and evolving traditional music.