Tabla Maestro, Guru and Scholar Pandit Bhai Gaitonde

Born in 1932 in Kanakavli, Maharashtra, Shri. Suresh Bhaskar Gaitonde received his initial training in Tabla under his father B.T. Gaitonde of the Farrukhabad gharana. Subsequently, he was groomed under Pandit Jagannathbuwa Purohit, Ustad Ahmedjan Thirakwa, Vinayakrao Ghangrekar and Pandit Lalji Gokhale. Shri. Gaitonde is a performer of distinction, proficient both as an accompanist and a soloist on the Tabla. He has accompanied eminent Hindustani vocalists including Pandit Kumar Gandharva, Dr. Vasantrao Deshpande, and Pandit Yashwantbuwa Joshi and has worked in close association with the well-known composer Neelkanthbuwa Abhyankar. He has taught and lectured on the art of Tabla and has published a number of books and cassettes in India and abroad. He has been honoured by several institutions for his work in music. Shri Suresh Bhaskar Gaitonde receives the Sangeet Natak Akademi Award for his contribution to Hindustani instrumental music.
Pandit Bhai Gaitonde passed away due to heart attack on 27th June (2019) around 11:30 PM at his home in Thane.