Shripad Hegde

Pandit Shripad Hegde (Kannada: ಶ್ರೀಪಾದ ಹೆಗಡೆ) is an Indian music composer, Hindustani classical vocalist (born on 1 January 1957) who hails from Kampli of Uttara Kannada District, is on the staff of All India Radio, Dharwad since 1987.

Early Life and musical training
Born in a family with a background of Yakshagana tradition, Pt Shripad Hegde was attracted to music at a young age. He started his initial training in Hindustani music in his teen under Pandit Ganapati Bhat a student of Padma Vibhushan Pandit Basavraj Rajguru. In the year 1982 Pt. Shripad Hegde moved to Dharwad to devote himself fully in the music. He was privileged to have mentored of the stature of Pt Basavaraj Rajguru vocalist of Kirana Gharana who taught Shripad Hegde with love and affection. It was a decade long dedicated and rigorous training under Pt Basavaraj Rajguru that shaped Pt Shripad Hegde into a Kirana Gharana vocalist.

Career
Endowed with resonant and sonorous voice Pt Shripad Hegde has developed his own style assimilating the finer and delicate nuances of both Gwalior Gharana and Kirana Gharana. Like his mentor he is eclectic and blends into his style the aesthetics subtleties of other schools of singing.

Though Khyal is his forte, he is equally adept in singing light classical varieties. His recitals are regularly broadcast from AIR Dharwad. He has also featured in Sunday night concert of AIR.

Shripad Hegde has rendered several music concerts like Alladiyakhan Punya Samaroh Mumbai, Karnataka Sangha Mumbai, Deenath Mangeshkar Punyatithi .Goa, Mugubai Kurdikar Punyatithi Goa, Dasara Festival Mysore, Sitar Ratna Music Festival Dharwad, Art circle golden jublee conference Hubli, Dharwad Utsav, Kundgol ustav, Purandarotsava Hampi, Hindustani Kalakar Mandali Bengaluru, Rajguru Sangeeta Pratistan Bengaluru, Puttaraj Gavayi Jayanti Utsav and many other places for music festivals.

As a Music Composer
Apart from being a classical singer Shripad Hegde is also known for his compositions. Some of them are Shruti Sanjeevini, Divya Sannidi, Prema Sangama, Vachana Vaibhava in light music. His classical CDs called 'Parampara' and 'Rageshri' have also been released.

As recognition to this talented personality many accolades have been conferred to him like, first place at AIR national level for the composition of "Megha medini" a sangeeta rupaka, first place at state level for the composition of "Garudamruta".

As a Teacher
Shripad Hegde not only established himself as artist of the classical music but also as a Guru. He has represented himself in conducting many workshops and lectures on music through Karnataka Sangeeta Nritya academy.

Shripad Hegde has followed the noble tradition of teaching. Thus, he has produced many singers to the world of music.

Awards
Pandit Shripad Hegde is the recipient of many honours and awards. They include 'Karnataka Kalashri' by Karnataka Sangeeta Nritya Academy and Department of Kannada and Culture, 'Aryabhata' by Aryabhata cultural organisation of Bengaluru, 'Ragaratna' , 'Chandrahasa', 'Gaan Govind', Gaana Gandharva'.