Umakant Gundecha - vocal,
Anant Ramakant Gundecha - vocal,
Akhilesh Gundecha - Pakhawaj

Seating: On the floor with back jack support, on regular chairs and cushioned chairs.
Dress Code: Casual, comfortable, decent. Please take off your shoes before entering the performance space.
Food and beverage: Only water is allowed inside the performance space. Please bring your own supply.
Parking: 6-hour metered parking is allowed on both sides of the street from 6 pm to midnight on Monday through Friday and 8 am to midnight on Saturday. On Sundays, street parking is free. There are also parking garages around the block.
CCIM is wheelchair accessible.

CHHANDAYAN'S PROGRAMS ARE MADE POSSIBLE BY THE NEW YORK STATE COUNCIL ON THE ARTS WITH THE SUPPORT OF THE OFFICE OF THE GOVERNOR AND THE NEW YORK STATE LEGISLATURE.
And the following donors: N. Balasubramanium, Sanjeev Bala, Penny Brill, Anjan and Sheba Chatterjee, Erawati Bawle, Matteo Banerjee, Paresh Trivedi, Keyur Thakar, Jagat Mavani, Rajesh Abhyankar, and others.

This event is co-sponsored by Sneha Arts Foundation.

For over three decades, the Gundecha Brothers have been among the most influential figures in the revival and global expansion of Dhrupad, the oldest surviving vocal tradition in Indian classical music. Originally established by Padma Shri awardees, Pt. Umakant Gundecha and Pt. Ramakant Gundecha, the group has evolved into a new trio after the untimely demise of Pt. Ramakant Gundecha, comprising Pt. Umakant Gundecha, his nephew Anant Ramakant Gundecha, and Pt. Akhilesh Gundecha on pakhawaj. Together, they continue the deep tradition of Guru-Shishya Parampara while expanding the expressive, therapeutic, and social relevance of Dhrupad in contemporary times.

The trio are the first Dhrupad musicians to present this ancient art form on some of the most prestigious international stages, including the Lincoln Center in New York and collaborated with the Manganiyar Folk artists, setting a historic precedent for Indian classical music. Their worldwide tours have taken them to more than 30 countries across five continents, where they have not only performed but also taught through immersive workshops and lecture - demonstrations.

Their discography includes over three dozen albums released by national and international music labels, and they have featured
prominently on leading global media platforms such as BBC, ARTE, ABC, NHK, The Art of Jugalbandi and Innovation. Their intergenerational jugalbandi, combining the seasoned depth of Pt. Umakant, the vibrant voice of Anant, and the rhythmic mastery of Pt. Akhilesh, has expanded the expressive vocabulary of Dhrupad. They have revitalized the duet form in the Dhrupad tradition, building on the rich legacy of the Dagar family while introducing dynamic approaches that resonate with contemporary audiences. In sum Umakant, Anant, and Akhilesh are more than performers. They are visionaries, educators, cultural ambassadors, and agents of social transformation. Their work ensures that Dhrupad is not only preserved as an ancient tradition but embraced as a living, healing, and ever-evolving art form. Radio France, Hungarian National Radio, and India’s Doordarshan and All India Radio. Apart from performing Dhrupad they have also composed and produced the Promo for the 100 Tansen Festival.

The life, work, and vision of the Gundecha Brothers have inspired multiple acclaimed films and documentaries, including: “The Power of Sound” by Canadian film maker, Andrée Martin; “When You Are There, You Are Not There” by Victor García; “Swar Siddhi” biographical
documentary on the brothers' life and music, which received a Special Mention at the Dadasaheb Phalke Film Awards.

The Gundecha Brothers trio uses Dhrupad music to promote social awareness and healing. They have performed concerts to raise funds for causes like Parkinson’s Disease and organ donation, collaborating with medical institutions. Their initiatives demonstrate Dhrupad's transformative power for mental, emotional, and physical well-being while applying Indian classical music for the public good.

Their intergenerational Jugalbandi, combining the seasoned depth of Pt. Umakant, the vibrant voice of Anant, and the rhythmic mastery of Pt. Akhilesh, has expanded the expressive vocabulary of Dhrupad. They have revitalized the duet form in the Dhrupad tradition, building on the rich legacy of the Dagar family while introducing dynamic approaches that resonate with contemporary audiences. In sum Umakant, Anant, and Akhilesh are more than performers. They are visionaries, educators, cultural ambassadors, and agents of social transformation. Their work ensures that Dhrupad is not only preserved as an ancient tradition but embraced as a living, healing, and ever-evolving art form.

Gundecha Brothers - Drupad concert

Gundecha Brothers - Drupad concert