About Hegdeji
Born in Uttara Kannnada district of Karanataka, where the colorful Yakshagana opera holds sway, Parameshwar Hegde was drawn into music at a very young age. He started learning Hindustani music when he was barely ten. Very soon, under the guidance of Sri.S.M.Bhat and Sri Pt.Chandrashekar Puranika Math, his interest in music grew into a passion.
It was in 1976 that Parameshwar Hegde went to Dharwad to seek advanced training under Padma Vibhushan Pt. Basavaraj Rajguru. The maestro, who had made a relentless quest for music by training under no less than 12 of the best maestros of the Kirana, Gwalior and Patiala ghranas, took an immense liking for the young vocalist. Over a decade and a half, he lovingly taught Parameshwar Hegde the nuances of gayaki and the best compositions from his amazingly vast repertoire.
An 'A' grade artist on All India Radio, Parameshwar Hegde has been featured in several national broadcasts. He has appeared on television also & is much sought after as a concert artist and a major attraction at prestigious music festivals all over India. He is a resident of Bangalore but regularly travels on concert tours abroad, to the U.S.A, Canada, United Kingdom and the Gulf countries.
Parameshwar Hegde is today acknowledged as a new star in the firmament of Indian classical music. A worthy torch-bearer of Pt. Rajguru's legacy, he has further embellished it with his own approach.
Hegdeji - the Artiste
The music of Parameshwar Hegde is marked by an adherence to the principles of purity and restraint. It is distinguished by an intense quest for beauty through the medium of melody. Critics discern in Parameshwar Hegde's singing the most beautiful elements of Rajguru's music, which is the confluence of three gharanas- Kirana, Gwalior and Patiala. In addition, Parameshwar Hegde brings to his art his own fine imagination, which takes flight in passages of subtle and daring improvisation.
Gifted with an evocative voice with commendable octave range, Hegdeji brings to his vocalism an agile imagination, a passion for the purity of the swara coupled with clear intonation and a remarkable grasp with layakari. His taans are forceful and his rhythm play has a charm of its own. A dynamic fusion of swara and 'laya' which is the hallmark of the Gwalior Gharana informs the music of Hegdeji. Listening to his music is most definitely an exhilarating and a powerful musical experience. Hegdeji is also adept in rendering 'bhajans' 'padas' and 'vachanas' soulfully.
Parameshwar Hegde is undoubtedly a genuine custodian of the art of Pt.Basavaraj Rajguru one of the greatest musicians of our era.
What the Critics Say
HINDUSTANI SANGEETH KALAKARA MANDALI CONCERT - BANGALORE
The spontaneous aspect of his simple, open and uninhibited presentation kept the melodic continuity intact. His soothing voice and good knowledge made his brilliant `Tans , Sargams' a pleasure to listen to.
The Hindu, September 29, 1989
NATIONAL CENTER FOR PERFORMING ARTS - Bombay
Each of the ragas presented was a gem of the purest luster, a shining example of sincere gayaki.....An uninhibited artiste whose art has not been polluted as yet by the lure of the metropolitan lucre.......
-SUMIT SAVUR, Indian Express, Bombay, December 27 1991.
SAWAI GANDHARWA MUSIC FESTIVAL - Pune
His pleasing voice, in its systematic exposition, revealed the rich knowledge gained under his guru, the late Pt. Basavaraj Rajguru......
- Vinay Kelkar, Kesari, Pune, December26, 1993
Exquisite `alap' singing in Shri . Hegde's `Vilambit Khayal' enhanced his music.....His singing revealed the rich beauty of swaras and his taans were forceful and pure in their rendering......
- Ashok Ranade, Sakaal, December 26, 1993
KALA BHARATI inaugural concert - Bombay
The three raga offerings showed his thorough grounding in the Khayal technique, at times reminiscent of his guru's vocalism.......the most abiding impact came from the (raga) "Shankara" as the artiste could capture and project its colourful, aggressive character as few else could......
- Mohan Nadkarni , The Times Of India, Bombay, March 17, 1994
`RAAG MILAN CONCERT' - Mysore
The range of Hegde's voice (sargams traversing three octaves with delicate care and touching the upper dhaivata to offer a glimpse of the universe) , sweep of his imagination, versatility in handling akaar, taans, and total sublimation to Naada Rasaabdhi reminded one of "Naabhi Hritkanta Rasana" appearing in Tyagaraja's "Shobhillu Sapthaswara" (Jagmohini).
- G.T.Narayana Rao, The Hindu, Bangalore, October 10, 1997
"SWAROTSAV MUSIC FESTIVAL" - NAGPUR
It was Parameswar Hegde, who gave a scintillating performance with his masterly rendition of the "Raag Puriya Kalyan".It was studded with superb layakari and tihais. The taans were well structured and his rendition of the drut followed by his pulsating exposition of the "Raag Haunsa Dhwani" left no doubt in one's mind about the bright future the artiste has.
- Nandan Andhare, The Hitavada, October 23, 1997
HOUSE CONCERT- FREE HOLD, NEW JERSEY
Pt.Hegde's music is marked by restraint and sensitivity. He is unhurried in his approach and stays away form mannerisms some younger musicians are apt to employ to win instant accolades from the listeners.....
He started the concert with Rageshri-Bahar, a rather unusual combination, Employing the ascending notes of Rageshri and the descending notes of Bahar.The result was indeed very interesting as the joyous notes of bahar acted as a counterpoint to the rather plaintive notes of Ragesri.As one discerning felt, the tension and anguish built up by Rageshri were relieved as it were by the succeeding notes of Bahar, creating a very dramatic effort.
-H.Y.RAJGOPAL via e-mail
PANDIT PARAMESHWAR HEGDE IN MONTREAL
He stuns his audience with alterations of daring bursts and subtle inflections, but one trait Pt.Parameshwar Hegde's awesome voice control cannot temper is the honeyed melody that comes with his singing, like the signal fragrance of jasmine.
- JOONED KHAN Foreign Editor LA PRESSE
Hegdeji - the Teacher
Hegdeji's personal commitment to train worthy disciples for the next generation is amply illustrated by the fact that he spends not less than 40 hours a week giving one-to-one classes of an hour's duration, 7 days a week. This, in addition to his performances and activities as an organizer of various music programs!
The fraternity of Hegde ji's shishyas is spread across India and the USA. There are a couple of students in the USA who visit India for a few months every year and learn from Hegdeji.
Several of Hegde ji's senior students come down to Bangalore from around the world to perform every year during Guru Poornima. During the last Gurupoornima function, 14 of his students came down from the USA, France and Dharwad, apart from Bangalore, to sing before audiences of around 200 music lovers of Bangalore.
Kaushik Ital, one of Hegde ji's seniormost students who regularly gives vocal support to Hegde ji in concerts, won the All-India first position in the very prestigious AIR classical music auditions. He was honoured in the Gurupoornima function with a memento from the Parameshwar Hegde music academy.
Hegdeji - the Organizer
RAJGURU SMRUTI is a public charitable trust established in memory of the great exponent of Hindustani Music, Pandit Basavaraj Rajguru. Parameshwar Hegde is the managing trustee of this Trust. The main objective of the Trust is to nurture and promote the development of Indian classical arts in general, and Hindustani music in particular. These are coming under increasing threat from various different quarters, be it the ubiquitous T.V in the home, the frenetic pace of modern life, or the consumer culture which threatens to overwhelm our saner selves. Our classical arts have survived many centuries of drastic changes, even as they have adapted to the new needs and visions of the different eras. In this millennium a special effort is called upon each of us to save this heritage which is on the `endangered list '.
With the objective of promoting the best in our artistic traditions, Rajguru Smruti organizes concerts by well-established as well as up-coming artists and conducts seminars, workshops and lecture demonstrations, the common motif in all the endeavors being a commitment to excellence. The other important objective of the trust is to promote classical art forms in rural areas by hosting performances of renowned artists as well as upcoming artists.
Rajguru Smruti conducts three annual programmes under its auspices :
- Sangeeth Samaroah
Sangeeth Samaroah is an annual 2-day musical extravaganza featuring some of the most reputed and upcoming talents in the Hindustani Music scene.
- Sur Prabhat
This is a one of its kind concert. Something unique that Rajguru Smruti offers its music aficionados. This is an early morning concert conducted in the bucolic environs of Chitra Kala Parishat.
- Parampara
'Parampara' concerts strives to uphold the Guru-Shishya sambandh. This concert features performances by a Guru and two of his students.
All these events have been major success stories every year. For feedback on this website, please email us .