Arati Ankalikar-Tikekar

Arati Ankalikar Tikekar
Arati Ankalikar Tikekar
Background information
Native name	आरती अंकलीकर - टिकेकर
Born	January 27, 1963
Origin	Mumbai, Maharashtra, India
Genres	Hindustani classical music, Jaipur Atrauli Gharana
Occupation(s)	Classical vocalist playback singer
Years active	1975–present
Website	Official Website

Arati Ankalikar-Tikekar (born in Bijapur) is an Indian classical singer. She has received training in Agra as well as Gwalior and Jaipur-Atrauli gharanas. Arati's performances are marked by her command over both rhythm and melody. She has received the National Award for Best Female Playback Singer twice (in 2006 and 2012). She is married to Indian film actor Uday Tikekar. Her daughter Swanandi Tikekar who is in her mid-twenties dabbles in acting as well.

She is best known for her albums Tejomay Nadbrahm and Raag-Rang, and playback for the movies Antarnaad, De dhakka, Savlee, and the hit Sardari Begum, "Ek Hazarachi Note".

Arati Ankalikar-Tikekar is currently recognised as one of the top vocalists of her generation. Now in her mid-fifties, Aarti has established her vocal credentials for about three decades. She has to her credit a number of audio cassettes and CD recordings marketed by HMV, Polygram and Rhythm House. She has been the main playback singer for several notable Marathi, Konkani as well as Hindi films, namely:

She started her training with veteran Pandit Vasantrao Kulkarni of the Agra Gwalior gharanas. Thereafter she received training from Gana Saraswati Smt Kishori Amonkar of the Jaipur Atrauli gharana for a very brief period. She continued her training under Pandit Dinkar Kaikini (Agra Gharana) for a few years. All of her teachers have influenced Arati's style. Listening to her performances one sees a hodgepodge of the various styles of the gharanas represented by her teachers.

A recipient of a Central Government scholarship (1975–1980) and the Surashri Kesarbai Kerkar scholarship (1980–1982), Arati stood first in the All India Radio competition held during 1983 and 1984 in Indian classical music, thumri and ghazal and was awarded the gold medal in all three categories. She has received the Mayor Award (2001) and the Kumar Gandharv Samman by the Madhya Pradesh government (2006–2007)

Arati has performed at many conferences in India, such as the Sawai Gandharva Mahotsav (Pune), the Malhar Utsav (Delhi), Pandit Mallikarjun Mansoor Pranam (Bhopal), the Gunidas Sangeet Sammelan (Mumbai), the Dover Lane Festival (Calcutta), the Shankarlal Festival (Delhi) and ITC Sangeet Sammelan and at sabhas organised by the Madras Music Academy (Chennai). She has been on concert tours in United States, Canada, UK and UAE. Arati has to her credit a number of audio cassette and CD releases. She was the main playback singer for the Shyam Benegal film Sardari Begum.