Dr. Sumati Mutatkar was a renowned Indian classical vocalist and musicologist belonging to the Agra Gharana. She had contributed her invaluable talent to enrich Indian culture. This illustrious performer turned teacher and had directed performances ranging from dhrupad-dhamar and khayal, to the lighter tappa-thumri. In short she covered a wide range of classical music. She performed in concerts for many years. Dr. Sumati Mutatkar also served as a broadcaster artist.
Early Life of Dr. Sumati Mutatkar
Dr. Sumati Mutatkar was born in the year 1916 in Balaghat, Madhya Pradesh, to Gajanan Amberdekar, a judge by profession and Sundari Subedar. She got her training in Indian classical music under the great guidance of classical music maestros like Pandit S. N. Ratanjankar. She gained the opportunity of being related with almost all the prominent Gharanas of music. She also learnt from Pandit Rajabhaiya Poochwale of Gwalior gharana, Ustad Vilayat Khan of Agra Gharana, Pandit Anant Manohar Joshi and Ustad Mushtaq Hussain Khan of Rampur Gharana. She had also attended Bhatkhande Music Institute at Lucknow under the expert tutelage of eminent classical musicians.
Career of Dr. Sumati Mutatkar
In the year 1953, Dr. Sumati Mutatkar was selected for the post of music director at All India Radio. Acknowledging her talent she had been made the Deputy Chief Producer of music afterwards. She joined as the faculty member of Music and Fine Arts, Delhi University. After retirement in the year 1981, Dr. Sumati Mutatkar ornamented the post of Dean of the Faculty. In the year 1979, she was nominated as a Fellow of the Sangeet Natak Academy. Dr. Sumati Mutatkar travelled in an extensive manner. Books written by her are also widely published. She was considered as an accumulation of a fund of knowledge and information. She used to visit and participate at the seminars organized by the ITC Sangeet Research Academy.
Achievements of Dr. Sumati Mutatkar
Dr. Sumati Mutatkar was awarded the highest award of the Sangeet Natak Akademi, India`s National Academy for Music, Dance and Drama, for lifetime achievement, the 1979 Sangeet Natak Akademi Fellowship. As recognition to this astonishing talent, the Government of India in the year 1991 conferred her with one of the highest prestigious civilian award, the Padma Shri. In the very next year, she was conferred the ITC award. In the year 2001, she was again awarded with the Kalidas Samman. The Akashvani Samman was also conferred to her.
Death of Dr. Sumati Mutatkar
This eminent persona of musical world breathed her last on February 28 in the year 2007 at a private hospital in Kolkata. At the time of her death she was 91 years old.
