Gomant Vibhushan recognises Ajit Kadkade’s lifelong commitment
The World Music Day was celebrated on June 21 for honouring the universal language of music. The day and the related events promoted inclusivity and cultural unity through free concerts and performances. ‘Trenchtown Rock’, a song by the iconic singer, songwriter, and guitarist, Bob Marley has a line, “One good thing about music, when it hits, you feel no pain”. In fact, good music works as a balm for the soul.
Goa, besides being a treasure trove of valuable folk music, boasts of illustrious vocalists from the world of Indian classical music including Master Dinanath, Kesarbai Kerkar, Mogubai Kurdikar, Anjanibai Malpekar, Kishori Amonkar, Jyotsna Bhole, Lata Mangeshkar, Asha Bhonsle, Ramdas Kamat, Prasad Sawakar and so on. Towering instrumentalists like Dattaram Wadkar, Khaprumama Parvatkar and Tulshidas Borkar also belonged to this land. On the other hand, Anthony Gonsalves, Alfred Rose, Chris Perry, Remo Fernandes, Lorna, Sonia Sirsat and many more, who earned a name in Western music, too have roots in Goan soil. Ajit Kadkade is one such gem in the musical fortune of Goa, who was awarded this week the highest civilian state award – Gomant Vibhushan. He is the second vocalist after Prabhakar Karekar – yet another Goan luminary – to have been bestowed with the particular distinction.
Kadkade carries expertise in Natya Sangeet or songs from the Marathi stage musicals too. His journey in the world of music began as a disciple of Madiye Guruji, followed by training under Pt Govindrao Agni and Pt Govindprasad Jaipurwale. Subsequently he went to stay with the acclaimed Goan vocalist, Pt Jitendra Abhisheki, and learnt Indian classical music from the maestro under ‘Gurukul’ system, for a decade. Absence of family history pertaining to music did not deter Kadkade from his musical goal. Interestingly, Pt Abhisheki was reluctant to teach him music due to his lack of basic knowledge in it. However Kadkade’s determination to learn music finally made Pt Abhisheki drop his reluctance. At one point of time, Kadkade was very much interested in cricket as also wanted to become a doctor. However, destiny led him to music and made him a leading vocalist of his era.
As Kadkade completed his strenuous training under Pt Abhisheki, he was determined to take up music as the sole career. Initially, he acted in some Marathi stage musicals like ‘Sharada’, ‘Saubhadra’, ‘Gora Kumbhar’, ‘Mahananda’, ‘Amrit Mohini’, etc, but the singing roles in musical plays did not interest him. Finally he decided to hold his public concerts with the rendition of Ragas in Hindustani classical music, besides Natya Sangeet, Bhakti Sangeet, Bhavageet, Bhajans and Abhangs. The chiselled voice with a sharp edge and distinct diction made Kadkade popular among the audiences. His popularity took him to foreign countries for delivering performances. His Bhajans dedicated to Sai Baba and Dattatreya became chartbusters. Besides Marathi, he also sang songs in Hindi, Konkani and Kannada.
The innumerable concerts of Kadkade during past 50 years have undeniably appealed to the listeners, with his mellifluous voice stirring the soul of the audiences. Around 200 music albums in his name, including Hindi albums like ‘Sai ki chitthi aayi hai’, ‘Sai mangal’ and ‘Kabir ke dohe’ have worked towards generating a spiritual atmosphere. The Gomant Vibhushan award presented to Kadkade recognises an artist of high calibre and his lifelong
commitment to music. It also salutes and honours the long musical tradition in Goa that has provided peace and joy to the countless lovers of music world over.
