MAHAPRASAD KAR

Background

Mahaprasad hails from a family of renowned musicians. His grandfather, Shri Khetramohan Kar, was a noted tabla maestro and his father, Shri Prafulla Kar, is a music director, singer and lyricist of national repute. Mahaprasad is a professional singer and has recorded numerous songs for Oriya and Bangla films and albums. He has also performed widely on the stage since the age of nine.

Education

Mahaprasad started learning classical music under the tutelage of Pandit J.V.S. Rao at a tender age of seven. He has since earned recognition as a “A” Grade artist for All India Radio and Doordarshan and has sung for H.M.V, T-Series, Venus and other recording companies. Mahaprasad is the youngest "A" Grade artist for All India Radio and Doordarshan from Orissa. He has been awarded “Visharad” certificate by Akhil Bharatiya Gandharva Mahavidyalaya Mandal, Pune.

Mahaprasad is reputed to be the most talented young artist from Orissa today. The Department of Culture, Orissa has also conferred “A” Grade artist status on him.

Style

Geet Gobindam, Odissi, Bhajans, Semi-Classical, Geet and Ghazals

Languages

Apart from performing in Hindi, Mahaprasad is also versatile in Oriya, Sanskrit, Bangla, Punjabi, Gujurati and Telugu.

Profession

Mahaprasad has been professionally recording songs for Oriya and Bangla films and albums since 1987. His first album as a child artist was recorded in 1980 under the HMV banner. Since then he has performed on the stage and in films and albums with famous singers and musicians like, Vani Jayaram, Chitra, Swarnalata, Suresh Wadekar, Kavita Krishnamurti, Anup Jalota and Hariharan.

Mahaprasad has sung in many Oriya films like Nag Panchami, Suna Pua, Pacheri Uthila Majhi Duaru, Dharma Adhrama and Bangla film Nag Jyoti.

Performances

Mahaprasad has performed on numerous occasions in different cities across India and abroad. He has represented the State of Orissa on many occasions in cities and states like Bombay, Calcutta, New Delhi, Arunachal Pradesh, Guwahati, Patna, Madras etc.

Some of his prestigious performances in India are listed below:

· Puri Beach Festival at Puri, Orissa, 1997

· Konark Festival, Konark, Orissa

· National Spirit of Unity concert for Universal Integration in Andhra Pradesh, 1997

· National Spirit of Unity concert for Universal Integration in New Delhi, 1996

· Concert for India International Trade fair in New Delhi, 1996

· Concert for 1996 Annual Conference for All India Medical Association in Bhubaneswar, Orissa

· Tamil Sangam concert in Bhubaneswar with Vani Jayaram

· Orissa Sangeet and Natak Academy – Tridhara festival

· Sahitya Academy of Orissa concert in New Delhi

· Utkal University’s 50^th Foundation Day celebrations, Bhubaneswar

· Rajarani Festival 2005

· Puri Mahotsava 2005

· Jugabandi Concert with Bhajan Samrat Anup Jalota 2005

Mahaprasad has also performed abroad in the United States (1998, 2003 and 2008), United Kingdom (1997) and Brazil (2007).

In 1997, Mahaprasad toured a number of cities in U.K. with his father, well-known music director Shri Prafulla Kar. They performed for Oriya, Bengali (organized by the Council for Bengali Cultural Associations, U.K.), Bihari and Gujurati cultural organizations across U.K. Some of their key performances in U.K. are listed below.

· Bharat Vidya Mandir, Manchester

· Oriya Association of U.K. reunion celebrations

· The Cultural Association of India, Cardiff, Wales

· Indian Association, Blackburn

· Council of Bengali Cultural Associations, U.K.

In 1998, Mahaprasad toured 23 U.S. cities accompanied by his father, Shri Prafulla Kar and renown tabla player Pradip Ghosh. They performed to enthralled audiences and Mahaprasad received rave reviews at every concert. Most of the concerts were hosted by various Indian organizations and temples across the United States representing a diverse and wide cross-section of the Indian community.

In 2003, Mahaprasad toured the U.S. again and performed in 24 concerts in 22 U.S. cities in a concert tour titled “Sur Sangam – Music and Odissi Dance Recital”. Accompanying him were his father, renowned music director Shri Prafulla Kar, his sister - noted Odissi exponent Sandhyadipa Kar, noted Odissi dancer Utkalika Pahadsingh and Tabla maestro Harish Roy.

In 2007, Mahaprasad captivated audiences in Sao Paulo, Brazil in a series of concerts showcasing both Indian Music and Odissi Dance. He was again accompanied by his father, Shri Prafulla Kar and his sister, noted Odissi dancer Sandhyadipa Kar

In 2008, Mahaprasad enthralled audiences in 20 U.S. cities on the “Sur Sangam – 2008” concert tour with his father, Shri Prafulla Kar and renown tabla player Pradip Ghosh. Some these concerts included Jugalbandi with Bhajan Samrat Anup Jalota too. All concerts were well-received and widely acclaimed at each and every venue.

Awards and Accolades

· Felicitated as the 'Best Young Artist' in the State of Orissa by Nehru Yuva Kendra Sanghathan, Govt. of India and State Youth Welfare Board, Govt. of Orissa on 31^st March 2002.

· Title of “Surashree” from Saradha Bali of Puri

· “Visharad” certificate by Akhil Bharatiya Gandharva Mahavidyalaya Mandal, Pune.

· “Mahaprasad may be the greatest musical boon of the country” – T. N. Seshan, Ex-Chief Election Commmissioner of India

· “Mahaprasad, a former student of Utkal University has established himself as an eminent singer of gazals, bhajans and Geet Govinda at a young age. Utkal University and the State of Orissa are proud of his accomplishments” – Prof. G. K. Das, Vice Chancellor – Utkal University, Orissa

· “Mahaprasad is one of the most versatile and talented singers among the young generation of Odissi and Hindustani classical artists today. He has a great sense for the intricacies of music and a deep understanding for this art form.” – Padmabhusan Guru Kelucharan Mohapatra

· “ Mahaprasad is a musical prodigy, a talented, gifted and blessed young singer. He has a tremendous command over Hindustani as well as Odissi classical music. This is especially evident in his rendering of Jay Dev’s Geet Govinda” – B. Chaudhury, Principal, Utkal Sangeet Mahavidyalaya, Orissa

· “ Mahaprasad is an outstanding singer, especially of bhajans, gazals and Geet Govinda. He has been highly applauded both in India and abroad.” – Kum Kum Mohanty, Chief Executive, Odissi Research Center, Orissa

· “I enjoyed the musical recital of Mahaprasad last summer here in U.K. All the audience were very much impressed with the voice, rhythm and art of delivery of classical songs by Mahaprasad.” – H. P. Adhikary, Convenor and Chairman – Council of Bengali Cultural Associations, U.K.