Swapna Datar
Swapna Datar, fondly and reverently addressed as Swapna Tai—an endearing expression denoting an elder sister—is among the distinguished violin exponents of North Indian Classical Music. A dedicated and deeply introspective artiste, she has carved a distinct and respected space for herself in the realm of Indian classical violin through years of committed sādhanā and artistic integrity.
Endowed with an exceptional command over both bowing and fingering, Swapna Tai’s violin articulates music with clarity, depth, and emotional nuance. Her renditions are marked by the serene and methodical unfolding of rāga, enriched with subtle embellishments and intricately woven rhythmic patterns that engage both the intellect and the soul.
Her artistry reflects a rare and harmonious synthesis of Tantakari Ang (the instrumental idiom) and Gayaki Ang (the vocal tradition), seamlessly adapted to the violin. In her solo presentations, these streams converge in perfect equilibrium, revealing a mature musical
the Training in Music
Swapna has received initial training of violin from Smt. Meera Patwardhan (1982 to 1985) & Pandit Atulkumar Upadhye (1987 to 1990). She started her advanced studies in violin under Pandit Vasantrao Sholikar of Bhopal in 1992 and this invaluable training is continued to date. Swapna is fortunate to have extensive training for the advanced technique of Violin playing & nuances of Raga improvisation under the able tutelage of Pandit Vasantrao Sheolikar for last the 20 years in traditional Indian ‘Guru-Shishya’ tradition. Swapna is also blessed by eminent Violin Maestro Dr. N Rajam.
theQualifications in Music
- Bachelor of Arts (Music) – Lalit Kala Kendra Gurukul, University of Pune (1990)
- Masters in Performing Arts – Khairagadh University (1996)
- B.Ed. – University of Pune (2000)
the Special Performances
SwarSwapn‘SwarSwapn’ is a dream project by Swapna Datar. She founded ‘SwarSwapn ViolinVrinda’, an ensemble of students especially from the age group between 9 to 25. It is a musical experiment aimed at giving encouragement to tender age students accustoming them to practice (Riyaz) at an early stage of life, giving them an experience of performance. The performance of SwarSwapn has designed with a unique blend of Ragas in Indian classical music with popular songs from Hindi film
music and Marathi popular music, which gives an aesthetically enriching experience.Swapna Datar’s narration embedded with motivating anecdotes and fables about music is also an equally enjoyable part of SwarSwapn.
SwarSwapna has received the heartiest applause and blessings from maestros such as Dr N Rajam, Pt. Budhaditya Mukherjee, Ust. Faiyaz Hussain Khan, Pt. Madhup Mudgal, Dr Arawind Thatte, Pt. Vijay Koparkar, Pt. Ramdas Palsule, Bhaav-andharva Hridaynath Mangeshkar, etc.More than 50 performances of SwarSwapn successfully done in various cities such as Pune, Mumbai, Panjim, Chandrapur, Jalgaon, Ahmednagar, etc., and these wider audiences have appreciated the unique presentation. SwarSwapn got specially featured by TV channels such as ABP-Maza and Sony Marathi. Some major performances of ‘SwarSwapn’ include –
- Anandwan, Chandrapur (January 26, 2017)
- Kimaya, Fergusson College, Pune (January 5, 2018)
- Shri Devi Bhagavati Prangan, Parse, Goa (January 27, 2018)
- MES Auditorium, Pune (July 21, 2018)
- Veer Savarkar Auditorium, Mumbai (October 14, 2018)
- Tilak Smarak Mandir, Pune (June 09, 2019)
- Dr. Arun Kumar Sen Smriti Samaroha, Mumbai (December 15, 2019)
- Dagdusheth Halwai Mahotsav, Pune
- Bhimsen Joshi Sanskrutik Samaroha, Pune
- Special shows at Industrial companies such as Tech Mahindra, E-Zest and Persistent.
Centenarian Violin Melodies (2018)
It was a special ensemble presentation of Swapna Datar with her 20 students in which she presented rare and century-old compositions of some of the prominent Hindustani Art music composers. It was presented under the ‘Performance from Archives’ series, organized by ‘Dr. Ashok Da Ranade Archives’, Pune.
the Violin Accompaniment
- During the initial years of her career as a Violin player, Swapna gained experience as a Violin accompanist. She is a seasoned and reputed Violin accompanist, though after pursuing a career as a solo Violinist, she has become selective as an accompanist. She has accompanied classical as well as light music concerts with equal fluency.
- Swapna accompanied BharatNatyam dancers such as Dr. Sucheta Bhide Chapekar, Sandhya Dharm, Parimal Phadke, Arundhati Patwardhan and Kathak dancers such as Sharvari Jamenis, Yogini Gandhi, Rujuta Soman, Abha Wamburkar, Shabhavi Vaze, etc.
- She has participated in ensemble presentations ‘Tala Yatra’ and Mridanga Samkeertan’ crafted by TalaYogi Pandit Suresh Talwalkar.
- Swapna has also shown her virtuosity in accompanying light music concerts such as ‘Prabhat Geete’, ‘Violina’, ‘Kavyer Katha’ etc. She has accompanied Ghazal and light music singers such as Arun Date, Suresh Wadkar, Prachi Dublay, Raman Randive, etc. in concerts and recordings.
- She has participated in many recording sessions for Music Composers such as Chaitanya Kunte, Milind Tulankar, Sameer Dublay, Kedar Bhagwat, etc. Swapna Datar is a regular participant in the thematic concerts presented by music composer Chaitanya Kunte and she has added in the musical relish with her Violin accompaniment in the concerts such as ‘Sant-Swar-Wel’, ‘Ramadas Padawali’, ‘Manarangache Aabhal’, ‘Onjalit Swar Tuzech’, ‘Eka Kawite Saathi’, etc.
- She participated as a Violin player in German composer Sandeep Bhagwati’s international project ‘Ecstasies of influence’ (2019)
the Swapna Datar as a music teacher
Swapna Datar is a devoted, competent music teacher. She has experience of Violin teaching for more than 20 years. After these long years of experience, she established ‘Pariwaar’ in 2019 where she conducts individual classes for Violin playing in Hindustani Art Music style for students in India and abroad. She has tutored many students personally and also worked as a music teacher in some institutes, such as ‘Dnyan Prabhodini School (2001 to 2003), Seva Sadan English Medium School (2002 to 2009). She is a recognized Guru at the Centre for Performing
Arts, Pune University. Apart from her base in Pune, she has been regularly conducting Violin training workshops at Goa since 2018. She has also conducted workshops at Escola Agostinho Roseta at Sesimbra and Lisbon, Portugal (2016), and Argentina (2019).
theSwapna Datar as an Actress
Swapna Datar has also explored her talent as an actress. In her college years, she acted in Marathi plays and won the ‘Best Actress of the year Award’ in the celebrated ‘Purushottam Karandak’ Marathi drama competition. She has acted the leading role in the Marathi drama ‘Sahasra Chandra Darshan’ directed by Pradip Vaidya. She is a graded voiceover artist in the Hindi drama section of All India Radio, Pune station
and is a regular broadcaster.