Gandharva Mahavidyalaya Pune proudly celebrates the brilliance of Indian classical music and dance by recognizing individuals who contribute to its legacy. These awards honor not only legendary performers but also Gurus, accompanists, innovators, and enablers whose dedication and artistry ensure the preservation and advancement of this rich tradition. Each award is a tribute to the passion, skill, and commitment of these extraordinary individuals who shape the art forms through teaching, performance, and unforgettable mehfils.

"Pandit Vishnu Digambar Paluskar" Sangeet Shikskak Gaurav Puraskar (Felicitation of an Exemplary Music Teacher)

Bharatiya Sangeet Prasarak Mandal started the esteemed Sangeet Shikskak Gaurav Puraskar in the memory of founder of Gandharva Mahavidyalaya, Lahore, Pandit Vishnu Digambar Paluskar. Guru plays an essential role in the musical journey of each student. The Guru shapes the caliber of a student knowing his strengths and weaknesses. The valuable guidance and the teaching of the Guru transform a disciple into a complete artist. This award acknowledges the efforts taken by a Guru and salutes the age-old knowledge sharing tradition of India which is kept alive by these Gurus.

Every year, the institute expresses its respect to an extraordinary music teacher by conferring this prominent award.

Year Pt.Vishnu Digambar Paluskar Sangeet Shikshak Gaurav Puraskar
2022 Smt Sudha Patwardhan
2022 Pt Vijay Koparkar
2022 Shri Vikas Kashalkar
2018 Pandita Padma Talwalkar
2017 Pt Ulhas Kashalkar
2016 Pt Madhup Mudgal
2015 Shri Vasant Pendharkar
2014 Pt Nathrao Neralkar (Aurangabad)
2013 Smt Sucheta Bhide – Chapekar
2011 Shri Manohar Mahadev Dabke
2010 Smt Shobha Abhyankar
2009 Pt Ulhas Kashalkar
2008 Pt Mohanrao Karve
2007 Pt Vasantrao Rajurkar
2006 Dr. Sunita Khadilkar
2005 Pt Mahadeorao Gandhe
2004 Pt Dinkar Kaykini
2003 Pt Suresh Talwalkar
2002 Pnadita Rohini Bhate
2001 Pt Pandharinath Nageshkar
2000 Pt T D Janorikar
1999 Smt Rohini Bhate
1998 Pt Gangadharbuva Pimpalkhare
1997 Shri Anant Marathe
1996 Pt Yashvantbuva Joshi
1995 Pt Manohar Chimote
1994 Pt Bhaskarbuva Joshi (Donated the award amount to Vidyalaya for ‘Yuva Puraskar’)
1993 Pt Dattopantopant Agashe

"Pandit Vinayakrao Patwardhan" Jeevan Gaurav Puraskar (Lifetime Achievement Award for Exceptional Contribution to Music)

Instituted in 2012, the Pandit Vinayakrao Patwardhan Jeevan Gaurav Puraskar honors distinguished individuals whose lifetime contributions have significantly supported and advanced the realms of Indian classical arts.

This prestigious award celebrates those who have enriched the traditions of Shastriya Gayan (classical singing), Vadan (instrumental music), and Nrutya (classical dance), as well as various other forms of music and their mehfils (concerts). Beyond performers, the award also acknowledges the invaluable contributions of individuals who work behind the scenes to propagate and enhance Indian classical arts. This includes instrument makers, program hosts, sound system operators, and app developers—each playing a unique role in preserving and innovating within this rich cultural heritage.

Gandharva Mahavidyalaya Pune takes pride in recognizing these unsung heroes, whose dedication and efforts have paved the way for the continued growth and appreciation of Indian music and dance worldwide.

Year Pt.Vinayakrao Patwardhan Jeevan Gaurav Puraskar
2022 Shri Anand Deshmukh & Shri Mangesh Waghmare
2022 Shri Balasaheb Mirajkar (Alias – Yusuf Mulla Mirajkar)
2022 Niyajahmad Abashaheb Mirajkar
2018 Shri Ramchandra Mali (“Swaranjali”)
2017 Shri Ashok Patki
2016 Shri Prasad Upasanee (USA) (iTabla Pro)
2015 Smt Sulochanabai Chavhan
2014 Shri Suresh Narang (Mumbai)
2013 Dr. Veena Sahastrabuddhe
2012 Pt Dinkar Panshikar
2011 Dr. Kamal Gajanan Ketkar
2010 Pt Vinayak R Athavale
2009 Smt Gosavi (Kalyan)
2006 Pt Sharad Sathe

“Ramkrishnabua Vaze” Puraskar (Felicitation of an Upcoming Young Artist)

In year 1994, Pandit Bhaskarbua Joshi, the recipient of the Sangeet-Shikshak Gaurav Puraskar, donated the entire amount of his award to the Gandharva Mahavidyalaya in memory of his guru Gayanacharya Ramkrishnabua Vaze. Pandit Vazebua always encouraged the budding talents in music, supported the young artists in every possible way.

Keeping up his legacy of encouragement to the young generation, Ramkrishnabua Vaze Puraskar started to support upcoming talented young artists - female or male.

Year Pt. Ramkrishnabuva Vaze Yuva Gayak Puraskar
2023 Smt. Shruti Vishwakarma
2022 Shri Suranjan Khandalkar
2019 Shri Omkar Dadarkar
2018 Shri Bhagyesh Marathe
2017 Smt Surashree Joshi
2016 Shri Ramakant Gaikwad
2015 Smt Gayatri Joshi
2014 Shri Aditya Khandwe
2013 Smt Ranjani Ramchandran
2012 Smt Nupur Kashid
2011 Smt Apoorva Gokhale
2010 Smt Saniya Patankar
2009 Smt Gauri Damle Pathare
2008 Smt Aparna Gurav
2006 Pt. Anand Bhate
2005 Shri Pushkar Lele
2004 Shri Rajendra Kandalgaonkar
2002 Smt Aparna Panshikar
2001 Shri Sandeepan Samajpati
2000 Pt. Shashank Maktedar
1999 Vidushi Savani Shende
1998 Pt. Shaunak Abhisheki
1997 Vidushi Manjusha Kulkarni
1996 Shri Shekhar Kumbhojkar
1995 Pt. Vijay Koparkar

"Pandit G L Samant" Sangatkar Puraskar (now Pt. Chandrakant Kamat Sangatkar Puraskar) - Felicitation of an Exemplary Music Tabla accompanist

Originally instituted as the Pandit G. L. Samant Sangatkar Puraskar in 1996, this award was renamed to honor the legacy of Pandit Chandrakant Kamat and his outstanding contributions to the world of accompaniment in Indian classical music.

While eminent artists often receive accolades for their performances, the vital contributions of their accompanists frequently go unnoticed. Gandharva Mahavidyalaya Pune established this award to bridge that gap and celebrate the skill, dedication, and artistry of these exceptional musicians.

This Sangatkar Puraskar is specifically dedicated to taal vadan (percussion) accompanists, who bring rhythm and life to the performances of Indian classical vocalists, instrumentalists, and dancers. Their nuanced understanding and artistry elevate every performance, making it a truly memorable experience for audiences.

Year Pt G L Samant Sangatkar Puraskar
2018 Pt. Omkar Gulavadi
2016 Shri Sandesh Popatkar
2015 Shri Pandurang Ghotkar
2014 Pt. Vishwanath Shirodkar
2013 Pt. Anish Pradhan
2012 Pt. Ramdas Palsule
2011 Shri Raju Javalkar
2010 Shri Bharat Kamat
2009 Shri Rajendra Durkar
2008 Shri Vikas Purandare
2007 Shri Mauli Takalkar – Taal
2006 Shri Raju Javalkar
2005 Shri Bajirao Sonavane
2002 Shri Subhash Kamat
2001 Shri Vinayak Phatak
2000 Shri Vinayak Thorat
1999 Shri Dattopant Raut
1998 Pt. Nana Mule
1997 Pt. Lalaji Gokhale
1996 Pt. Chandrakant Kamat
Year Pt. Chandrakant Kamat Sangatkar Puraskar
2023 Shri Raghunath Nakod (tabla)

"Pandit Govindrao Tembe" Sangatkar Puraskar (now Pt. Tulshidas Borkar Sangatkar Puraskar) - Felicitation of an Exemplary Swarvadya Accompanist

Originally instituted as the Pandit Govindrao Tembe Sangatkar Puraskar in 1996, this award was renamed to honor the remarkable legacy of Pandit Tulshidas Borkar.

Like the Pandit G. L. Samant Sangatkar Puraskar, this award recognizes the outstanding contributions of accompanists, specifically those skilled in Swar Vadan. While lead performers often take center stage, the artistry and expertise of accompanists are integral to the success of any performance. Gandharva Mahavidyalaya Pune acknowledges these unsung artists who bring depth and harmony to Indian classical music and dance concerts.

The Pandit Tulshidas Borkar Sangatkar Puraskar celebrates these exceptional accompanists whose melodic brilliance enhances the beauty of mehfils and performances. Their unwavering dedication and artistry form the foundation upon which unforgettable moments in Indian classical performing arts are created.

Year Pt. Govindrao Tembe Sangatkar Puraskar
2018 Pt. Ravindra Katotee
2016 Shri Prabhakar Dhakade
2015 Shri Sudhir Jawalkar
2014 Smt. Seema Shirodkar
2013 Pt. Sudhir Nayak
2012 Pt. Sudhanshu Kulkarni
2011 Shri Ramakant Paranjape
2010 Pt. Pramod Marathe
2009 Shri Narendra Chiplunkar
2008 Shri Ratnakar Gokhale
2007 Shri Parshuram Bapat
2006 Shri Ramakant Paranjape
2005 Shri Shreeram Shahapurkar
2002 Dr. Arvind Digambar Thatte
2001 Shri Madhukar Khadilkar
2000 Shri Anant Kunte
1999 Pt. Purushottam Walavalkar
1998 Pt. Rambhau Vijapure
1997 Pt. Tulsidas Borkar
1996 Pt. Appasaheb Jalgaonkar
Year Pt. Tulsidas Borkar Sangatkar Puraskar
2023 Shri Subhash Daskkar (harmonium)

Special Awards for the Students

Apart from conferring various well-known awards, Gandharva Mahavidyalaya felicitates and promotes several students who excel in various examinations. Students are awarded on the occasion of the Annual Function of the Mahavidyalaya.

Year Yuva Nrutya Kalakar (Young Dance Artist)
2019 Nupur Daithankar (Bharat Natyam)
2018 Asmita Thakur (Kathak)
Year Yuva Vadak Puraskar (Young Instrumental Artist)
2022 Shri Rohit Marathe
2022 Shri Pranav Gurav
2019 Shri Abhishek Borkar (Sarod) and Namrata Gaikwad (Shehenai)
2018 Shri Abhinay Ravande (Harmonium)