Dr. Chaitanya Kunte (alias Keshavchaitanya J. Kunte) is a multi-dimensioned personality - a Harmonium player, composer and musicologist. Chaitanya received extensive training in Hindustani Art music, especially for Harmonium under able guidance of Dr. Arawind Thatte. He was fortunate in having guidance of Pt. Mohanrao Karve for vocal music and Dr. Ashok Da. Ranade for musicology.
As a Harmonium player:
Dr. Kunte is one of the leading Harmonium players in India having accompanied maestros such as Bhimsen Joshi, Dinkar Kaikini, Balasaheb Puchhawale, Yashwantbuwa Joshi, Ramashray Jha, Chhannulal Mishra, Birju Maharaj, Rajan Sajan Mishra, Ulhas Kashalkar, Rashid Khan, Kishori Amonkar, Vasundhara Komkali, Prabha Atre, Veena Sahasrabuddhe, Ashwini Bhide, Arati Ankalikar, Padma Talwalkar, Shruti Sadolikar and many others.
His accompaniment is marked with perfection and accuracy, yet it is aesthetically enriching with a deep understanding of the vocalist’s style and music in totality. A graded artiste for All India Radio, he has accompanied on Harmonium for several commercial cassette recordings.
Besides being a busy and popular Harmonium accompanist, Chaitanya Kunte is taking huge efforts for Solo Harmonium recitals and continuing the mission lead down by his Guru, Dr. Arawind Thatte for establishing concert-status to Harmonium in Hindustani music scenario. Chaitanya has given Solo Harmonium performances in Pune, Thane, Ahmedabad, etc. He was honored with ‘Pt. Govindrao Patwardhan Award for Excellence in Harmonium’ in 2007.
He has toured USA (2005, 2012, 2013, 2015), Australia, New Zealand, Singapore (2005, 2008), Dubai (2004), Japan (2016), Israel (2017) for concerts, where he was appreciated for his accompaniment, solo Harmonium playing and lec-dems.
As a musicologist:
After attaining degrees, M.A. in Indology and History, and an M. Phil. in Archaeology, Chaitanya Kunte received fellowship for his research on ‘Tappa’ from Ministry of Culture, Govt. of India.
He was honoured with Doctorate in Music (2017) for research work entitled ‘Music at the places of prayer in 21st century urban Pune: An ethnomusicological study’, from Savitribai Phule Pune University.
He has 4 authored books and edited 5 books and published several research articles.
Books -
Edited Books
Positions held:
Awards and recognitions:
Dr. Kunte have received awards such as -
As a Harmonium player:
Dr. Kunte is one of the leading Harmonium players in India having accompanied maestros such as Bhimsen Joshi, Dinkar Kaikini, Balasaheb Puchhawale, Yashwantbuwa Joshi, Ramashray Jha, Chhannulal Mishra, Birju Maharaj, Rajan Sajan Mishra, Ulhas Kashalkar, Rashid Khan, Kishori Amonkar, Vasundhara Komkali, Prabha Atre, Veena Sahasrabuddhe, Ashwini Bhide, Arati Ankalikar, Padma Talwalkar, Shruti Sadolikar and many others.
His accompaniment is marked with perfection and accuracy, yet it is aesthetically enriching with a deep understanding of the vocalist’s style and music in totality. A graded artiste for All India Radio, he has accompanied on Harmonium for several commercial cassette recordings.
Besides being a busy and popular Harmonium accompanist, Chaitanya Kunte is taking huge efforts for Solo Harmonium recitals and continuing the mission lead down by his Guru, Dr. Arawind Thatte for establishing concert-status to Harmonium in Hindustani music scenario. Chaitanya has given Solo Harmonium performances in Pune, Thane, Ahmedabad, etc. He was honored with ‘Pt. Govindrao Patwardhan Award for Excellence in Harmonium’ in 2007.
He has toured USA (2005, 2012, 2013, 2015), Australia, New Zealand, Singapore (2005, 2008), Dubai (2004), Japan (2016), Israel (2017) for concerts, where he was appreciated for his accompaniment, solo Harmonium playing and lec-dems.
As a musicologist:
After attaining degrees, M.A. in Indology and History, and an M. Phil. in Archaeology, Chaitanya Kunte received fellowship for his research on ‘Tappa’ from Ministry of Culture, Govt. of India.
He was honoured with Doctorate in Music (2017) for research work entitled ‘Music at the places of prayer in 21st century urban Pune: An ethnomusicological study’, from Savitribai Phule Pune University.
He has 4 authored books and edited 5 books and published several research articles.
Books -
- Ranade, Ashok. Kunte, Keshavchaitanya. (2017). Pashchatya Sangeet Samdnya Kosh. Mumbai: Popular Prakashan. ISBN: 9788179919255.
- Kunte. K. J. (2020 February). Raga Chaitanya Pratham. Pune: Amaltash Books. ISBN: ASIN: B083FXBHZC
- Kunte. K. J. (2020 March). Raga Chaitanya Dwitiya. Pune: CSSH, SPPU. ISBN: ASIN: B083FVW8LZ
- Kunte. K. J. & Gadgil, Mugdha. (2021, May). Hṛdayakautukam and Hṛdayaprakāśa: Translation and analytical study. Pune: Aahat Publications. ISBN: 9798504091297
Edited Books
- Swar-Smriti (Memoir of Pandit Mohav Karve, April 2011, Shridatta Prakashan, Pune),
- Marmagya (Dr. Ashok Da Ranade commemoration volume, November 2012, Dr. Ranade Gaurav Granth Samiti, Pune),
- Sangeet Sangati (a book consisting selected articles by Dr. Ashok Da Ranade, October 2014, Rajhans Prakashan, Pune),
- Charitra Kosh Sangeet Khand (June 2014, Saptahik Vivek Prakashan, Mumbai)
- Dr Ashok Da Ranade's Sangeetache Saundarya Shastra (e-edition, 2019)
- Dr Ashok Da Ranade's LokaSangeeta Shastra (e-edition, 2020)
- Chhandowati (Malini Rajurkar 60’ souvenir, January 2001, Pune),
- PunyaSwar (a journal published by Centre for Performing Arts, SPPU from 2009 to 2016),
Positions held:
- He is currently working as Assistant Professor and Guru at Centre for Performing Arts [Lalit Kala Kendra Gurukul] of Savitribai Phule Pune University.
- Dr. Kunte is founder director of ‘Dr. Ashok Da. Ranade Archives of performing culture’, Pune.
- He is regularly invited as a guest faculty at music departments in Mumbai University, SNDT, FLAME university, etc.
Awards and recognitions:
Dr. Kunte have received awards such as -
- ‘Pt. Govindrao Patwardhan Award for Excellence in Harmonium’ (2007),
- ‘Keshavrao Bhole Sangeetkaar Puraskaar’ (2010),
- ‘Vasantotsav Award’ (2010),
- ‘Di Go Datar Sangeet Shikshak Puraskar’ and
- ‘Dhrupad Gayak Shankarrao Ashtekar Award (2015),
- ‘Rohini Bhate Award for music compositions for dance’ (2017).
- Music Forum Research Award (2019).
