A traditional composition in Raga Gaud Malhar presented by Prof. Ojesh Pratap Singh...

Professor Ojesh Pratap Singh is a disciple of 'Padmashri' Pandit Ulhas Kashalkar, the renowned exponent of Gwalior, Jaipur and Agra gharanas (traditions/schools) of Khyal gayaki and one of the finest classical vocalists of the country. He has been teaching Hindustani Vocal Music in the Department of Music of the University of Delhi for more than two decades. He is an 'A' grade artist of Radio and Television and has performed at many places in India, as well as, England, China, Mauritius, Sri Lanka and Nepal.

This is a short video clip of his performance in a home concert, celebrating the auspicious day of 'Guru-Poornima' with the disciples on 16th July, 2019. Accompanying artists are Shri Sagar Gujrati on the Tabla and Shri Prabhat Rao on the harmonium. Disciples Pulkit Sharma and Bhavik Mankad are on the vocal support while strumming the Tanpura.

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It is a voice that holds the audience spellbound with its enigmatic finesse. A young and gifted vocalist, Ojesh has a melodious and supple voice that can delve into the depths of melody and explore a wide range of notes with its sheer strength of volume. His singing bears the stamp of years of training and dedicated practice, which began at the impressionable age of five. His first teacher was none other than his music loving father, who weaned and inspired him into music, never to look back.

The first step turned into a stride for excellence and knowledge about the nuances of Hindustani music. This set the course of training for Ojesh from great masters of music beginning with Ustad Ghulam Siraj Khan of Rampur-Sahaswan Gharana (tradition) followed by Pandit Mahadev Govind Deshpande, an outstanding disciple of Pt. Vinayak Rao Patwardhan of Gwalior Gharana. An artist, who believes that music is fathomless in content, Ojesh is one of the select disciples, who is reshaping and refining his 'gayaki' (style of singing) under the guidance of the renowned exponent of Gwalior, Jaipur & Agra Gharanas, Pandit Ulhas Kashalkar. The renowned maestro is one of the finest classical vocalists of the country in contemporary times.

His quest to learn about the rich traditions of Hindustani music took him to the portals of higher education. Ojesh completed his post graduation with distinction in Hindustani vocal music and topped in M.Phil. from the University of Delhi. He then did his Ph.D. research work with Research Fellowship from the Universities Grants Commission, on the subject -"Role and importance of literary content in the compositions in Hindustani vocal music". He authored a book on this subject, titled "Hindustani Sangeet Mein Sahitya". Ojesh is also the recipient of the prestigious 'National Scholarship', from the Government of India during 1990-92, for pursuing his study of music.

Ojesh exhibited his aptitude and forte for Hindustani music at several solo concerts. The experience not only gave him a favourable exposure but also empowered him with the art of striking a rapport with the audience while striking a balance in maintaining the purity of the ragas during his renditions.

Ojesh is an 'A' grade artist of All India Radio and empanelled with the Indian Council for Cultural Relations for their foreign cultural exchange programs. As a child artist, he earlier performed regularly for Radio & Television and has now matured into a seasoned vocalist whose performances are marked by his acute sense of aesthetical embellishment and improvisation, conscious approach towards the purity of raga, form and the literary content. Not only the audience, but eminent music critics also have also succumbed to the innovative beauty of his impeccable renderings.

The Faculty of Music & Fine Arts, University of Delhi, Delhi, is fortunate to have Ojesh as a Professor of Hindustani vocal music. In his 23 years of academic career, Ojesh has delivered lectures, conducted workshops and performed in many concerts at various places in India, as well as China, Mauritius, Nepal, Sri Lanka and England.

He is a member of the Expert/ Jury panel for 'Sahitya Kala Parishad', New Delhi and also the 'National Youth Festival' organized by the Ministry of Youth Affairs.

Ojesh literally means "aura" and true to his name, Ojesh is spreading the radiance of a divine gift-music as he continues his melodious journey towards developing a finer artistic insight and skill with the blessings of his Guru.