Prathap Awad

By Sana Ejaz

Dhrupad Hindustani Percussion Pakhawaj

3 minute read

Prathap Awad is a distinguished pakhawaj maestro from Maharashtra, deeply rooted in the Nana Panse tradition. He holds an M.A. in Pakhawaj from Bharati Vidyapeeth University, Pune, and has trained extensively within a lineage of East Indian percussion. With a career spanning over two decades, he has established himself as a sought-after accompanist in both Hindustani and dhrupad traditions, performing across leading Indian and international festivals.

Awad has accompanied top-tier classical artists, notably dhrupad vocalist Pandit Uday Bhawalkar and rudra veena maestro Ustad Bahauddin Dagar, gaining acclaim for his rhythmic precision and dynamic dialogue. His versatility is evident in performances at prestigious events like the Sawai Gandharva Sangeet Mahotsav, Shankar Lal Music Festival (Delhi), Dover Lane Festival (Kolkata), and many Darbar Festival editions. Internationally, he’s collaborated in fusion projects like “Dhrupad Fantasia” with Uday Bhawalkar and the Hathor Consort in Europe, showcasing his adaptability and cross-cultural creativity.

Prathap Awad has been featured multiple times at the Darbar Festival in London. In 2015, he accompanied Ustad Bahauddin Dagar and tanpura player at Queen Elizabeth Hall, adding textural depth and rhythmic clarity to the understated ambience of the program. In 2022, he appeared onstage again with headline artists such as Shubha Mudgal, Sabir Sultan Khan, Purbayan Chatterjee, and Uday Bhawalkar—delivering compelling strokes that showcased his mastery during group sessions.

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Pandit Ram Mallick & Samit Mallick | Dhrupad | Full Concert

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