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Born and brought up in Mumbai, Sureshji's
talent was tapped by Shri Parshwanath
Digrajkar, who used to visit Sureshji's
father during festivals to render Bhajans.
Sureshji was barely four years old when he
tried to imitate the tunes sung by the
Master - he was too young to imitate words,
so he made up his own. Shri Digrajkar
offered to undertake Sureshji's training
from immediate effect. For four years he
coached Sureshji in vocal music.
It was at the insistence of their family
doctor, Dr Shah that Sureshji was brought to
Acharya Jiyalal Vasant, who's Sangeet
Niketan had repute for training children
scientifically in the field of Indian
classical music. When Guruji heard
Sureshji render one of the Natya Sangeet
compositions, he decided to take him under
his wings and not only train him in
Hindustani Classical music but also offered
to take care of his formal education. The
child artists trained at the Niketan used to
be invited from music patrons all over the
country to perform. So Sureshji got an
exposure to the stage throughout the
country. During this period he also learnt
to perfect the art of Tabla playing. His
performances received kudos from the press
and the patrons, wherever he performed .He
graduated with Vocal and Tabla from Prayag
Sangeet Samiti, Allahabad, to which the
Niketan is affiliated. Since Guruji
had a firm belief in the rules laid down for
"Uttam Vaggeykar", he trained his
students in all the variations of vocal and
in instrumental music and Dance, too. So
Sureshji learnt to play Sitar and learnt
Katthak dance as well.
In 1976 he joined his Guruji's daughter,
Prem Vasant, who was at that time in
Germany, to accompany her for performances
on the Sitar and also perform as a vocalist.
Both of them toured throughout Europe &
England. On his return from Europe, Sureshji
was invited by Sur Singer Samsad to perform
as a classical singer in the Haridas Sangeet
Sammelan. Shri Brijnarain, Director Sur
Singer Samsad suggested that he should
participate in the 1st Film Sangeet Sammelan,
which was being organized by the SSS. Sureshji
complied, albeit reluctantly. He won the
coveted Madan Mohan Best Male Singer Award
and was promised a break in one of his
forthcoming films by Shri Ravindra Jain on
the stage itself. Shri Jain fulfilled his
promise and Sureshji sang for the male lead
for Rajshri Production's Film "PAHELI".
The rest is history.
Sureshji has had the good fortune to sing for
stalwarts as well as the budding music
directors. He has received many a coveted
award, including 9 for Maharashtra, 3 for
Gujarat, 2 for Punjab State Best Male
Playback Singer awards, just to mention a
few. He has to his credit perhaps the
largest collection of quality songs. Today
Sureshji is acclaimed as one of the most
talented & versatile playback singers.
He has also ventured in the field of music
directions. His maiden venture "ASHI HI
DNYANESHWARI" won him the Best Music
Director Award of Maharashtra Government.
Besides, Sureshji has also proved his mental
as a true disciple. He has ventured into the
filed of teaching music by carrying forward
the torch of "GURU-SHISHYA-PARAMPARA".
He has fulfilled his Guruji's dream of an
academy where talented children receive
scientific training in Indian Classical
Music. The Trust ACHARYA JIALAL VASANT
SANGEET NIKETAN runs an academic school
from Nursery to the SSC with Junior College
of Commerce attached to it. The Niketan has
its own Voice Culture Studio, where students
receive their professional training. The
Niketan has quite a few students who have
already made a name for themselves and are
doing their teacher proud.
He is a judge in Zee TV SaReGaMaPa, jury member of Screen Awards, Sahara Awards and Maharashtra Gaurav Puraskar.
He has also received Lata Mangeshkar award from MP and 1st Vikramaditya Award from Ujjain, MP.
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