Late Pandit Vasantrao Deshpande (1923-83) was indeed a genius in the field of music with an equal command of Khayals, Thumris, Dadras, Bhajans, Marathi Stage Songs and Film Songs. He could win the hearts of all types of listeners within no time. He established a rapport with them at once, through his jovial manner of speech and an extremely lively style of rendering both established and less-heard Ragas. He had acquired a vast fund of knowledge from eminent Gurus like Shankarrao Sapre of Gwalior Gharana, Sureshbabu Mane of Kirana Gharana, Asad Ali Khan of Patiala Gharana, Aman Ali Khan of Bhendibazar Gharana and through his personal contacts with luminaries like RamiRrishnabuwa Vaze, Master Deenanath Mangeshkar, Hirabai Badodekar and Begam Antar. His style reflects the influences of all these. And he had the rare sense of using that, which was apt in the chosen genre. Gifted with a seasoned and flexible voice, he could leap easily from any note to any note and execute a wide variety of Taans with an amazing speed. He himself was a good tabla player and had accompanied great artists like Kumar Gandharva and Hirabai Badodekar on the Tabla. He encouraged the tabla accompanist with him to play to his heart's content. He was the recipient of the Sangeet Natal? Academy award (1983). He was an able stage actor and singer as well, and was chosen the president of the Marathi Natya Sammelan in 1983.


Artists: Sanjeev Abhyankar (Vocal), Bharat Kamat (Tabla), Pramod Marathe (Harmonium)

Tracks:
1. Raga Madhuwanti (29.3) - Sanjeev Abhyankar (Vocal), Bharat Kamat (Tabla), Pramod Marathe (Harmonium)
2. Raga Shuddh Baradi (29.15) - Sanjeev Abhyankar (Vocal), Bharat Kamat (Tabla), Pramod Marathe (Harmonium)