Sweekar has always had a keen ear and great absorbing power for music. When a toddler, Sweekar would sit on his grandma’s (Late Smt. Vimal Katti) lap, who would sing to him and he would sing along. Before his formal training in music began, he would crawl around his mother while she did her riyaz or gave music lessons to her students. That’s how he got familiar with the various Ragas and Bandish/Khayal. Since his early childhood, he has been receiving this informal but valuable education about the Hindustani classical music.
Sweekar’s father realized his musical inclination and aptitude, and started giving him Tabla lessons when Sweekar was just 7 years old. The idea was to get him well acquainted with the concept of Rhythm – Laya. He would sit attentively while his father played the Sitar/Santoor, and thus built a strong affinity towards string instruments. When it was time for him to choose his path for the musical journey, he chose Sitar. His father bought a small Sitar for him, and thus began his musical education under the guidance of his father. By the time he passed out of school, he knew that he wanted to pursue music as his career and joined a college that supported and nurtured his musical abilities to the full extent. Sweekar has participated in many intercollegiate competitions, national competitions and has won several awards. Now, as a Professional Sitarist, he has given several performances in India and overseas.
Sweekar Katti’s Father: Dr. Sunil Katti
Sweekar Katti’s Father: Dr. Sunil Katti
Sunil was initiated into classical music right from his childhood by the musical atmosphere at his home. He received his initial training in vocal classical music from his mother Smt. Vimal Katti. He continued learning instrumental music on Sitar from his elder brother Pt. Shashank Katti. After few years, Sunil developed a liking for the Santoor. The guidance received from an early age led him to develop the skill of playing the Santoor to the highest proficiency.
He was awarded the First Prize in ‘Tabla’ at the All India Radio competitions held in 1972. He also bagged the First Prize in ‘Sitar’ at the same competition in 1975. Currently, he is a regular performing artist (Santoor) at All India Radio. He is a Gold Medalist in Sangeet Alankar [M.A.Music(Sitar)] from the ‘Akhil Bharatiya Gandharva Mahavidyalaya Mandal’. He is a ‘Sangeetacharya (PhD in Music-Sitar) from the ‘Akhil Bharatiya Gandharva Mahavidyalaya Mandal’ completed under the guidance of Dr. Vasantrao Rajopadhye and Pt. V.R.Athavale. Sunil has worked as a Lecturer of Music (Sitar) at the SNDT University for 30 years.
Sunil is also well known in the field of Music Direction. Along with his brother, he has composed music for various cassettes,dramas like ‘Durga jhali Gauri’, documentaries, etc. under the combined name ‘Shank-Neel’. His personal recording includes a special cassette along with his brother named ‘Rutu Rang’ which comprises of a Trio between Santoor, Sitar and Surbahar. He has performed all over India and abroad at Various Music Festivals and for well known organizations.
Sweekar Katti’s Mother: Dr. Vandana Katti
Dr. Vandana Katti was initiated into vocal music by her father Shri. Mohan Shirodkar at an early age of 8.Later, she continued learning from Pt.Vasantrao Kadnekar. She got the opportunity to learn the gayaki of Jaipur Atrauli Gharana under the able guidance of Smt. Manik Bhide, a senior disciple of Gaan Saraswati Kishori Amonkar. She also receives able guidance from her husband Dr. Sunil Katti.
She has as impressive lineage and musical credentials. She showed promise at an early age having picked up the National Talent Search Scholarship while she was still at school besides many prizes and awards as she went along, while sitting at the feet of Smt. Manik Bhide. She bagged the Top position in the AIR competition and the Kesarbai Scholarship from NCPA.
She has completed her B.A., M.A., M.Phil in Music from the SNDT University. She has a doctorate in Music from the Akhil Bharatiya Gandharva Mahavidyalaya Mandal under the guidance of Pt. V. R. Athavale. She has performed at prestigious music festivals all over India and abroad.
Sweekar Katti’s Mother: Dr. Vandana Katti
Young Sweekar Katti Playing Santoor
Sweekar Katti, when young, experimented with various musical instruments before finalizing Sitar as the instrument of choice for his career.
Toddler Sweekar Katti on Tabla
Awards
- Won the Swar Sadhana All India Music competitions.(2004)
- Won the Sharda Sangeet vidyalaya music competitions (2005)
- 1st Prize in Intercollegiate Festival ‘Enigma’ organised by Podar college(2006)
- 1St Prize in Intercollegiate Festival ‘Aarohan’ organised by Ruia college(2008)
- 1st Prize in Intercollegiate Festival ‘Mood Indigo’ organised by IIT-Powai (2009)
- Gold medal in the Youth festival organized by the ‘Mumbai University’ (2008)
- Gold medal in ‘Indradhanushya’,an Inter university youth festival held at Nasik
- Sweekar has also won prizes at inter university youth festival held at Gujarat & Kolhapur
- He has also won the prestigious ‘AVIDES–Acharya Vishwanath Dev Classical Talent Competition’ (National level) organized by Padmavibhushan Sangeet Martand Pt. Jasraj held at NewYork (USA) in November 2010
Education
- Sweekar is a ‘Commerce Graduate’ from D.G.Ruparel College.
- Sweekar is a ‘Gold Medalist’ in ‘Sangeet Visharad’ of the Akhil Bharatiya Gandharva Mahavidyalaya Mandal and has received ‘Naresh Belwalkar Award’ and ‘Rangnath Dattatray Award’.
- He is also a ‘Gold Medalist’ in ‘Master of Arts (M.A-Music)’ from the ‘Shivaji University,Kolhapur’.
- He has cleared the ‘National Eligibility test’ (NET) and is eligible as an ‘Assistant Professor’ with ‘Junior Research Fellowship’ (JRF).
- He has received ‘Scholarship’ from the ‘Ministry of culture Govt. of India’ under the scheme of scholarship to young artists for the year 2009-10
- Sweekar’s Debut Classical solo Album ‘Sur Anant’ was released by Legendary Kathak Maestro ‘Pt.Birju Maharaj’ and ‘Begum Parveen Sultana’
- Sweekar is an outstanding Sitar player.He is pursuing the art of Sitar with utmost dedication and determination.His talent,energy and musical personality is very unique – Vedic Heritage Journal (USA)
- Sweekar is a ‘Graded Artist’ of the ‘All India Radio (AIR)’ and gives regular performances
- Sweekar features in the List of “Young World Leaders” featured by “MOSAICQUE International Magazine” – His keen interest in exploring new avenues has enabled him to contribute to innovative ideas of performance which include a combination of Instrumental music,Vocal music and Dance
- Despite his young age, Sweekar comes across as a very mature artist. With his Talent and dedication he promises to carve out a place for himself amongst the leading Sitarists of the next generation – Vedic Heritage Journal (USA)