Kedar Naphade

Kedar Naphade (केदार नाफडे) is an Indian classical harmonium player.

Early life
Kedar Naphade was born on 10 January 1972 to a Maharashtrian family in the city of Mumbai, India. His father, Sudheer Naphade is a professional in the Merchant Navy and was the Nautical Advisor to the Government of India. His mother Pushpalata Naphade is a physician. He grew up in a traditional middle-class environment in a suburb of Mumbai. He received initial music education and training in the harmonium from his grandfather Dadasaheb Naphade and from Arvind Gajendragadkar. From the age of 9, he started learning harmonium solo and accompaniment from Tulsidas Borkar. He also received education from Padmavati Shaligram-Gokhale of the Jaipur-Atrauli gharana from 1989–1993.

He completed his engineering degree at the Indian Institute of Technology in Mumbai in 1993. Subsequently he relocated to the United States of America, where he completed his Ph.D. in Operations Research from Lehigh University in 1997.

Career
Kedar has been actively involved in the field of harmonium performance since 1982, showcasing his talents both as a soloist and an accompanist in Hindustani Classical music. His musical journey began as a child artist on Mumbai Television Channel Doordarshan during the early 1980s. He embarked on his professional career in the realm of Hindustani Classical music at the age of 18, commencing solo and accompaniment performances in 1990.

Notably, Kedar gained recognition with his performance at the Annual Alladiya Khan Smruti Samaroha in Mumbai in 1992, collaborating with Smt. Padmavati Shaligram-Gokhalie.

Kedar's musical style draws influence from the works of musicians like Tulshidas Borkar and P. Madhukar. He performs classical renditions, semi-classical forms like Marathi Natyasangeet (Stage Music), bhajans, and thumri.

His contributions to music encompass a range of engagements. Kedar has participated in numerous harmonium solo recitals and has provided accompaniment for vocalists in various concerts, spanning across India, Europe, and the United States. His portfolio includes over 500 concert appearances, including performances at events and venues like the Alladiya Khan Smruti Samaroha, Dadar Matunga Cultural Center, and Vile Parle Music Circle in Mumbai, Kala Academy in Panaji Goa, Lincoln Center in New York, Carnegie Hall in New York, and The Smithsonian Institution in Washington D.C.

He has also been featured on radio stations such as the National Public Radio, WKCR 89.9, e-Prasaran Internet radio etc. He has collaborated on stage with other musicians of India such as his guru Smt. Padmavati Shaligram-Gokhale, Pt. Jasraj, Smt. Veena Sahasrabuddhe, Pt. Ulhas Kashalkar, Smt. Prabha Atre, Smt. Laxmi Shankar, Pt. Phiroz Dastur, Smt. Ashwini Bhide-Deshpande, etc.

He has also collaborated with other instrumentalists and worked in instrumental ensembles with other instruments such as the sitar, flute, violin and mandolin.

Kedar started teaching the harmonium under Ace Open University in 2010.

Awards and recognitions
Swar Sadhana Samiti young artist award (1983, 1984)