About

Pt. Vinod Kumar Dwivedi has carved a name for himself as one of the leading senior Dhrupad Dhamar exponents/vocalists in the country. He has established his position as an outstanding singer, eminent guru, composer, and writer both in India and abroad. Dhrupad music is a revered genre of Indian Classical Music that dates back centuries. It is known for its profound spirituality, intricate melodic patterns, and rhythmic precision. Pt. Vinod Kumar Dwivedi has played a crucial role in preserving and promoting Dhrupad. Pandit Vinod Kumar Dwivedi has been awarded the Central Sangeet Natak Academy Award 2023, the highest Indian recognition given to individuals in the field of performing arts, which is bestowed by the honorable President of India for his outstanding contribution in the field of Hindustani vocal Music. Through his selfless dedication,
he has taught numerous students, composed numerous compositions, and performed tirelessly to revive and uplift this rare art form. His efforts have been instrumental in  ensuring the continued appreciation and practice of Dhrupad music, making him a prominent figure in its preservation and
promotion. Pt. Vinod Dwivedi is a senior artist at AIR (All India Radio) and Doordarshan. He has written and composed around 600 Dhrupad, Dhamar, Khayal, Chaturang, Bhajan, and Geet pieces based on Indian Classical Music. Currently, he is working as the director of Ranjana Devi Sangeet Mahavidyalaya in Kanpur. He is also the guru of Dhrupad Kendra Kanpur(which was curated by Sangeet Natak Academy as a training program in 2018) , where students learn the rare
art form of Dhrupad without any financial expenditure or fees. He has also performed in many prestigious concerts such as the Indian Embassy UAE Dhrupad Mela, Sri Lanka Broadcasting Corporation, Haridas Sangeet Sammelan, Harrivallabh Sangeet Sammelan, Tansen Samaroh, 
Balgandharva Samaroh, Nana Pansey Smriti Samaroh, Akhil Bhartiya Sangeet Sammelan, Prayag Sangeet Samiti, and many ICCR programs in India and abroad. He has recorded CDs under the labels of Bihaan Music, Agi Music, Vidhya Bharti, and Sangeet Natak Academy. Pt. Dwivedi not only sings Dhrupad Dhamar but also performs Khayal, Bhajan, Thumri, Geet, and Chaturang. He is an ICCR panel artist and an examiner at Lucknow’s Bhatkhande Deemed University, Bhatkhande Vidyapeeth, Prayag Sangeet Samiti, and Banaras Hindu University. He was trained by famous musicians Late Pt. Kashi Nath Bodas, Shri Shri 1008 Shobhan Sarkar, Late Pt. Vidur Mallick, and Pt. Abhay Narayan Mallick. Throughout his career, he has taught around 1200 students from various  countries worldwide, following the Guru-Shishya Parampara. He also provides free music education to approximately 160 financially disadvantaged students living in slum areas. Thanks to his efforts, many of his students have become well-established and are contributing to their families and society through music. Pt. Vinod Kumar Dwivedi has been performing and teaching his rare art form for the past 35 years. He has mentored many disciples in various areas of music, including classical music, Bollywood, Akashwani Doordarshan, stage performers, professors, lecturers, and teachers at various universities, colleges, and schools. At present, many students from different countries are learning music under the guidance of Pt. Vinod Dwivedi in the Guru-Shishya Parampara. His disciples, like Ankit Tiwari and Shivam Pathak, are also doing exceptionally well in Bollywood as singers and music directors. Pt. Dwivedi has created around 600 bandishes (musical compositions) in classical and semi-classical music, which are highly popular among musicians and students. He also provides free education to students who come from financially weak backgrounds in rural areas. Pt. Dwivedi is associated with organizations such as Sangeet Natak Academy, Allauddin Khan Academy Bhopal, U.P. Ministry of Culture, NCZCC, Bhatkhande Vidya Peeth, Prayag Sangeet Samiti, Vidya Bharti, Sanskar Bharti, etc., as an active performer in the field of Hindustani Vocal. Pt. Vinod Kumar Dwivedi is one of the leading dhrupad dhamar exponents in the country. He has been promoting this rare art form of music for the last 35 years. He has performed at many reputed stages to promote this rare art form. He has also made significant contributions to the preservation and enrichment of bandishes (compositions) and literature in this art form, which was almost on the verge of extinction a few decades ago. He has created around 600 bandishes, which are highly valuable in contemporary times. He has been preparing many disciples who are capable of preserving this rare art form in the future.His Dhrupad Kendra serves as a gurukul where disciples come to gain knowledge and wisdom of this rare art form under the spiritual Guru- Shishya parampara (teacher-disciple tradition). Throughout his career, he selflessly taught approximately 1200 students from various parts of the world, following the Guru-Shishya parampara. He has also authored a book titled “Dhrupad Shobhanam” (Vol. 1 and 2), which includes his around 500 compositions in different genres of Indian Classical Music. This book is highly beneficial for students in the field of music. Pt. Vinod Dwivedi has an extensive discography (CDs and albums) that includes Dhrupad albums, Parv Geets, Bhajans, Desh Bhakti Geets, Rare Taals and Raags, and Bandishes in the Dhrupad genre, among others. He has incorporated novelty into his art form, making it accessible for common listeners to understand and enjoy Dhrupad. His bandishes encompass the essence of Bhakti Ras (devotional sentiment) and various important aspects of our religious holy books. In addition, he conducts free workshops and lecture demonstrations on Indian Classical Music in rural areas of our country. Pt. Dwivedi’s efforts have attracted more people around the globe towards the rare art form of Dhrupad. Many individuals are showing their utmost devotion to learn and preserve our rich and rare cultural heritage by practicing and performing this art form.

Impact/ Outcome of the work done

Pt. Vinod Kumar Dwivedi is serving the nation through his art. He has trained many  students in different fields of music, including Indian classical music, Bollywood music, approved
Akashwani and Doordarshan artists, stage performers, music instructors, professors, and teachers in various universities, colleges, and schools. Many of his students receive scholarships from CCRT (HRD and Ministry of Culture) under the Cultural Talent Search Scholarship and Young Artist Scholarship schemes. He also provides free music education to around 160 financially disadvantaged students living in slum areas. Thanks to his efforts, many individuals have achieved financial stability and are contributing positively to their families and society. Dhrupad is a rare art form of music, and Pt. Vinod Kumar Dwivedi has made significant efforts to uplift this art form. He has selflessly performed in rural areas and abroad to promote and preserve this rare art form, without seeking any financial benefits. As a result of his efforts, our society has shown a keen interest in the dhrupad and dhamar forms of music. Many youngsters are now learning this rare art form, and many of them are excelling in it. Thanks to his contributions, Indian classical music,
especially the dhrupad genre, is experiencing a revival in both urban and rural areas of our country

Contribution to the Society and field of Music

Currently, Pt. Vinod Kumar Dwivedi is one of the most active performers and dhrupad vocalists in the country. He has performed at renowned national and international music festivals, such as Harrivallabh Samaroh, Tansen Samaroh, Taj Mahotsav, Balgandharva, Nana Pansey Samaroh, Sri Lanka Indian Classical Music Festival, ICCR UAE, and Haridas Sangeet Sammelan. Not only is he an active performer, but also an esteemed guru in this field. Throughout his career, he has taught approximately 1200 students from various countries under the guru- shishya parampara. He also provides free music education to around 160 financially disadvantaged students living in slum areas. Thanks to his efforts, many individuals have achieved stability and contributed positively to their families and society. Dhrupad is a rare art form of music, and Pt. Vinod Kumar Dwivedi has played a significant role in its revival. He has performed and conducted lecture demonstrations in rural areas and abroad without seeking financial gain. Additionally, he authored the book “Dhrupad Shobhanam” (Vol. 1 and 2), which includes around 500 compositions in different genres of Indian Classical Music, benefiting students in this field. He has also recorded tutorial videos of Indian Classical music for students in remote and rural areas, allowing them to learn this rare art form without any financial burden. Thanks to his efforts, Indian Classical music, especially the dhrupad genre, is experiencing a revival in both urban and rural areas of our country. Pt. Vinod Kumar Dwivedi, a senior guru, vocalist, and composer of Dhrupad music, has selflessly taught 1150 students, composed 600 compositions, and worked tirelessly to uplift this rare art form. Performing globally and in rural areas, he promotes and preserves Dhrupad without financial gain. His dedication to popularizing Indian Classical Music, especially Dhrupad is ready commendable and inspiring.