Rahul Deshpande

Rahul Deshpande
Deshpande singing in Vasantotsav in 2010
Background information
Born	(1979-10-10) 10 October 1979 (age 45) Pune, Maharashtra, India
Genres	Hindustani classical music
Occupations	Singer
Years active	1984–present
Website	www.rahuldeshpande.com

Rahul Deshpande (born 10 October 1979) is an Indian classical music singer and actor. He is the recipient of a National Film Award, Filmfare Awards Marathi And Maharashtra State Film Awards for his work in Me Vasantrao. He is the grandson of Vasantrao Deshpande.^[1][2][3]

Early life

Rahul Deshpande was born on 10 October 1979 in Pune, Maharashtra.^[4]

Education and career

Rahul developed his interest in vocal music by studying the music of Kumar Gandharva. Initially, he sought guidance of Pandit Gangadharbuva Pimpalkhare and Dr. Madhusudhan Patwardhan. He further learnt under the tutelage of Smt. Ushatai Chipalkatti and Pandit Mukul Shivputra. He also learned the tabla from Pandit Suresh Samant. His repertoire includes khayal, tap khayal, dhruvpad, thumri, kajri, hori, tappa, ghazal, abhanga, bhajan, natyasangeet and bhavgeet. Rahul has judged Zee Marathi's popular reality TV show "Sa Re Ga Ma Pa - Little Champs" and Zee Yuva's "Sangeet Samrat parva2". His work in the re-opening of the musical play Katyar Kaljat Ghusali was appreciated.^[5][6][7] He was the playback singer for the songs of "Khansaheb Aftab Hussain Bareliwale", played by Sachin Pilgaonkar in the film. The role was played by Rahul himself in the play Katyar Kaljat Ghusali.^[8]

Also, every year he arranges the "Vasantotsav" in the memory of his late grandfather Pandit Vasantrao Deshpande.^[9][10]

A revised version of Kakasaheb Khadilkar's Sangeet Maanapmaan played in Maharashtra in 2011 and 2012, the centenary year of the play's first performance. It has been revised by Rahul Deshpande. "Originally, the play has five parts with around 52 classical songs. Deshpande's version will have two parts and 22 classical songs."^[11]

Stage appearances

• Katyar Kaljat Ghusali
• Sangeet Sanshaykallol
• "Sangeet Manapman"
• "Sangeet Saubhadra"

Discography

Year	Film	Song	Composer	Notes
2011	Balgandharva[12]	"Ravi Mi"	Govindrao Tembe
	Morya	"Dev Chorla Slow Version"	Avadhoot Gupte
2012	Satrangi Re	"Door Rahile Gaav"	Ajay Naik
2015	Katyar Kaljat Ghusali[13]	"Dil Ki Tapish"	Shankar–Ehsaan–Loy
		"Ghei Chhand Makarand"
		"Sur Se Saji"
		"Surat Piya Ki"
2017	Vitthala Shappath[14]	"Thai Thai Majhi Vithai"	Chinar-Mahesh
	Hampi	"Apanehi Rang Mein"	Narendra Bhide
2018	Pushpak Vimaan	"Deh Pandurang"
		"Anandache Dohi"
2019	Bhai: Vyakti Ki Valli	"Kanada Raja Pandharicha"	Ajit Parab
	Bhai: Vyakti Ki Valli 2	"Kumar Savare"
	Anandi Gopal[15]	"Tu Aahes Na"	Jasraj-Saurabh-Rishikesh
2021	Free Hit Danka	"Ha Rang Chadhu De"	Baban Adgale & Ashok Kamble
	Tamasha Live	"Chitrapatachi Nandi"	Pankaj Padghan
	Godavari	"Khal Khal Goda"	AV Prafullachandra	Maharashtra State Film Award for Best Male Playback Singer[16]
2022	Me Vasantrao[17]	"Kaivalyagaan"	Rahul Deshpande	National Film Award for Best Male Playback Singer[18]
		"Tere Dar Se"
		"Punav Raticha"
		"Ram Ram Lori"
		"Vitthala Darshan Deun Ja"		Maharashtra State Film Award for Best Male Playback Singer[16]
		"Main Patiya"
		"Lalan"
		"Pavan Chalat"
		"Le Chali Taqdeer"
		"Radhadhar Madhu Milind"
		"Aaj Sugandha"
		"Ghei Chhand Makarand"
		"Malini Kanwahi"
		"Jan Saare Majla"
2024	Amaltash[17]	"You Liberate Me"
	Phullwanti	"Hey Sharade"	Avinash–Vishwajeet
		"Bho Shambho"
	Gulabi	"Safar"	Sai-Piyush
2025	Sangeet Manapmaan[19]	"Vandan Ho"	Shankar–Ehsaan–Loy

Achievements and recognition

• Rasikagrani Dattopant Deshpande Award, presented to him at the Sawai Gandharva Music Festival.
• Master Dinanath Mangeshkar Award by Lata Mangeshkar. (2012)^[20]
• Kothrud Bhushan Award by then Chief Minister of Maharashtra, Devendra Fadnavis.
• Sudhir Phadke Award for his outstanding achievements at a young age.
• Special Jury Award Best Singers in Zee Chitr Gaurav 2016.
• National Film Award for Best Male Playback Singer for Me Vasantrao (2022)^[21]
• Fakt Marathi Cine Sanman for Best Music Director for "Punav Raticha" – Me Vasantrao (2022)
• Pravah Picture Awards for Best Male Playback Singer for the song "Khal Khal Goda" from Godavari (2022)
• Mata Sanman for Best Male Playback Singer for Me Vasantrao (2023)
• Zee Chitra Gaurav Puraskar for Best Male Playback Singer for the song "Khal Khal Goda" from Godavari (2023)
• Filmfare Awards Marathi for Best Male Playback Singer for the song "Kaivalyagaan" from Me Vasantrao (2023)
• Sakal Premier Awards for Best Music Direction for Me Vasantrao (2023)
• Navarashtra Planet Marathi Film & OTT Awards for Best Male Playback Singer for the song "Kaivalyagaan" from Me Vasantrao (2023)

Personal life

Rahul is married to Neha Deshpande and they have a daughter.^[22]

References

1. "Rahul Deshpande gives a 'Hatke' performance". The Times of India. Retrieved 31 January 2017.
2. "A musical extravaganza - Pune Mirror -". Pune Mirror. Retrieved 31 January 2017.
3. "Three-day arts & culture carnival at Upvan Lake". The Times of India. Retrieved 31 January 2017.
4. "On Rahul Deshpande's 42nd Birthday, Daughter Renuka's Special Musical Gift". News18. 11 October 2021. Retrieved 1 January 2023.
5. "Subodh and Mrunmayee in Katyar Kaljat Ghusli - Times of India". The Times of India. Retrieved 31 January 2017.
6. Kulkarni, Preeti. "Katyar Kaljat Ghusli movie review: Subodh Bhave, Sachin Pilgaonkar and Shankar Mahadevan give an unforgettable Diwali treat to music lovers!". Retrieved 31 January 2017.
7. "Katyar Kaljat Ghusli – Music Review (Marathi Soundtrack)". Music Aloud. 4 November 2015. Retrieved 31 January 2017.
8. "Revival of sangeet-natak by a new theatre group in Pune | Latest News & Updates at Daily News & Analysis". dna. 30 May 2011. Retrieved 31 January 2017.
9. "Music across boundaries". Indian Express. 11 January 2008. Retrieved 7 December 2010.
10. "Classical, fusion music at Vasantotsav - Times of India". The Times of India. Retrieved 31 January 2017.
11. Bengrut, Dheeraj (15 December 2011). "Act 100". indianexpress.com. Mumbai: The Indian Express Limited. Retrieved 15 February 2012.
12. "Recreating the magic of the Gandharva music". Archived from the original on 2 May 2012. Retrieved 16 December 2011.
13. "How 'Bajirao Mastani' and 'Katyar Kaljat Ghusali' brought classical music back to Bollywood-Entertainment News , Firstpost". web.archive.org. 16 December 2023.
14. "A song dedicated to lord Vitthal to be out soon". The Times of India. 5 July 2017. ISSN 0971-8257.
15. "Zee Studios Presents 'Anandi Gopal' – Dumkhum®". 26 January 2019.
16. "59th Maharashtra State Film Awards: Asha Parekh, Shivaji Satam, Anuradha Paudwal honoured, here's the winners list". The Indian Express. 22 August 2024.
17. "Rahul Deshpande stars as his late grandfather Vasantrao Deshpande in this biopic". IMDB.
18. "68th National Film Awards: Rahul Deshpande bags best male playback singer for Mee Vasantrao". The Times of India. ISSN 0971-8257.
19. Navarashtra (28 November 2024). "14 गाणी, 18 गायकांचा आवाज, बहुचर्चित मराठी संगीतमय चित्रपट 'संगीत मानापमान' चे भव्य म्युझिक लाँच". Navarashtra (in Marathi).
20. "Lata Mangeshkar presenting award to singer Rahul Deshpande at Master Dinanath Mangeshkar Awards 2012 in Mumbai : rediff bollywood photos on Rediff Pages". pages.rediff.com. Retrieved 31 January 2017.
21. "Rahul Deshpande on winning the National Film Award: Awards not important but it feels good". Hindustan Times. 26 July 2022.
22. "Raga and symphony". The Times of India. 15 January 2009. Retrieved 31 January 2017.

External links

• Official website
• Media related to Rahul Deshpande at Wikimedia Commons