Padma Shree, His Holiness Acharya Pandit Goswami Gokulotsavji Maharaj Shree
Dr Pandit Gokulotsavji Maharaj is the most accomplished Indian classical vocalist of Khayal and Dhrupad gayan of this generation. Panditji is the world famed musician whose rare genius has open the ears and minds of millions to the wondrous aesthetics of the rich Indian musical tradition.
He has toured abroad more than 87 times and has represented India in International Conference. He has not only performed in India but also in London, Paris, San Francisco, Moscow, Chicago, Denmark, Sweden, France, Italy, Belgium, Spain, Japan, USA, Canada etc.
Under the pen name of Madhurpiya Panditji has created more then 5000 compositions in Khyal, Dhrupad and Dhamar in Sanskrit, Persian, Urdu and Braj Bhasha, to mention a few. He has created a number of new ragas such as Adbhut Ranjani, Divyagandhar, Madhur Malhar Prasandpada, Sneh Gandhar Madhur Dhwani Kanhda, Jai Bharatam. He conducts several creative projects for the revival of rare and old Samved Sanskrity. He has written books on Sanskrit Bhashya, Geeta, Upanishad and Vedas and thereby created such a unique quality of divine creation.
Pandit Gokulotsavji's Indian classical rendering takes listeners to higher spiritual heights sublimating the desire in process and landing them on a plane of internal peace. His flexible voice with exemplary breath control enriched evenness of tone, touches a range of emotions, as though, it move from a smaller truth towards greater truth till it reaches the ultimate truth of Ragas and emotions.
Dr Pandit Gokulotsavji from Indore Gharana is the son of the late Gridharlalji Maharaj, himself a knowledgeable musician. Indeed, by the time Gokulotsavji was old enough to embark upon his own journey into Hindustani classical music, he was well aware that he was following a path well-trodden by his ancestors.
In his youth, Gokulotsavji was tutored by Pandit Moreshwar Rao Golvelkar, a talented practitioner of the Gwalior and Kirana schools of music. Gokulotsavji’s guru ingrained in him a sense of dedication which soon began to stir in him a thirst to explore higher and nobler realms of music. It was under his tutorage that Gokulotsavji learnt many compositions by latter-day masters.
Dr Pandit Gokulotsavji grew up listening to recordings of old masters like Ustad Aman Ali Khan, Bhindi Bazarwale, Ustad Abdul Wahid Khan and particularly Ustad Amir Khan, the great maestro who inspired him to develop serenity and vigour in his performance. In fact for some time, his performance emulated the work of the titan. Gokulutsavji soon evolved though, modifying his style to suit his own compositions.
Many other classical musicians derive inspiration from his singing as he is regarded as the leading practitioner of Drupad gayaki and Kirtan pad gan . His taan patterns and elaboration of raga are totally unique and unknown to any gharana.
Gokulotsavji is an unrivalled contemporary composer and musicologist. His knowledge of scripture is also reflected in his books written on music such as “Vitthalesh Keertan Ratnakar” (in 2 volumes) which contains the compositions and gayakis of drupad-dhamar style. The combination of his intellect and meditation has produced unique musical compositions which continue to enthral and captivate audiences. Under the pen name of Madhur Piya, he has published some 5,000 compositions in Khyal Dhrupad and other allied genres, in Sanskrit, Persian, Urdu and Braj Bhasha. He has also created several Ragas.
Gokulotsavji's mellifluous voice covers an amazing three octaves. Its range and flexibility is complimented by an evenness of tone, a supple bass register, a strong medium and a bright agile top. He has amazing breath control and a seasoned stage presence which is derived out of a sur-minded and cerebral gayaki. His music touches a range of emotions. He dwells on each note in a leisurely fashion and weaves interesting patterns around them, rendering his recital unique. His introspective intricate taans go to fire his own fertile imagination. His introspective Gayaki (of which his use of sargam sequences is the highlight) puts him in a class of his own.
Gokulotsavji's music does not suffer from mechanical precision. Rather, it has a deep instinctive quality. His Rubaider Tarana (introduction of Persian couplets into Tarana) is meaningful and enjoyable. He has acquired the Late Ustad Amir Khan's technical finesse and skilful exposition of intricate taan patterns. To this he has applied his own imaginative skills and expertise, which is what makes his recitals so extraordinary.
Gokulotsavji’s approach to Indian classical music has a human aspect; he believes that music should be from the heart, its function is to reveal the joy and pathos of life. He believes also that the singer must be able to create a rapport with the audience, for it is only through notes and shruties that the musician can create and communicate the world of his own imagination.
Dr Pandit Gokulotsavji believes that music should be from the heart, its function is to reveal the joy and pathos of life. He believes also that the singer must be able to create a rapport with the audience, for it is only through notes and shruties that the musician can create and communicate the world of his own imagination.
Awards and Achievements of Dr Pandit Gokulotsavji Maharaj
Over a long and distinguished music career, Dr Gokulotsavji has won many international awards and accolades from fellow musicians. He is honored with Padma Shree by Government of India, Tansen National Award, D. Lit National award and twice with Presidents gold medal award, Hindustan Times Lifetime Achievement Award to name few.
Dr Pandit Gokulotsavji's brief about his awards and achievements is as:
Padma Shree by Government of India
National Tansen Samman Award
D.lit National Award
President Award twice
Swar Samman, New Delhi
Hindustan Times Lifetime Achievement Award
Abhinav Sangeet Ratna
Ustad Amir Khan Memorial Award
Shrestha Kala Acharya
Sangeet Vishwa Martand
Tan Samrat
Shatabdi Samman - International PVP Parishad
Honorary Trustee of Bharat Bhavan, Bhopal
Special 'Top' Grade of Aakashwani and Doordarshan
Published number of popular cassettes and CD recordings
Dr Rajni Nagar completed her Ph. D. on the life achievements of Panditji from Vikram Unversity which is a landmark in Indian History.
Ocean and Jewel Award in America
Peace and Bliss Award by Ambassador in England.
Some years before this, the Urdu service of All India Radio had received angry letters from its listeners in Pakistan, who pointed out that in a programm featuring Khan Sahib, another name had been wrongly announced. Even experienced music listeners were misled. It was indeed Gokulotsavji who had sung Khan Sahib’s compositions and was presented with an Ustad Amir Khan Memorial Award. Gokulotsavji said “It’s my misfortune that I could never meet Khan Sahib, but I listened to his recordings over and over again, and tried to emulate the spirit behind his music."He has a mind-boggling collection of Khan Sahib’s recordings which include even thumris, ghazals, and qawwalis besides khayals.“ which add up to around 3500-4000 hours, with rare ragas like Sarparda, Zurtaba, Kalingra, Lachchasakh, Chayanat, and Khemkalyan.
Concerts attended by Dr Pandit Gokulotsavji Maharaj
Dr Pandit Gokulotsavji Maharaj has represented India at the International Music Festival, International SECRA and the Bavarian World Festival in European countries such as Germany, Austria, Switzerland and France.
Conterts Worldwide
Place
Int.Secra World Music Festival
Zurich, Germany
Gokulotsavji Maharaj felicitation by Pandit Jasraj
Mumbai, India
National Program Of Music Television ITC
Kolkatta
Saptak Sangeet Samaroh
Ahmedabad
Shankarlal Festivals

Madhya Pradesh Kala Parishad
Bhopal
Haridas Sangeet Smaaroh
Mumbai
Vrindavan Tansen Sangeet Samaroh
Gwalior
Gunidas Sangeet Sammelan
Mumbai
Harvallabh Sangeet Samaroh
Jalander
Abhinav Kala Samaj Samaroh
Indore
Ustad Amir Khan Sangeet Samaroh
Madhya Pradesh
India Habitat Center
New Delhi
Annual Radio Sangeet Sammelan

Sangeet Natak Academy
Lucknow

Gokulotsavji has received accolades from Pandit Ravi Shankar, Ustad N Aminuddin Khan Dagar, Ustad Bismillah Khan, Ustad Vilayat Khan, Pandit Bhimsen Joshi, Pandit Jasraj, Pandit Ram Narayan and many more.
Glowing Accolades received by Dr Pandit Gokulotsavji Maharaj
People who have written glowing accolades in the work of Dr Pandit Gokulotsavji Maharaj are Padma Bhushan Pt. Ravi Shankar, Padma Bhushan Pt. Bhimsen Joshi, Padma Bhushan Ustad Amzad Ali Khan, Padma Bhushan Pt. Jasraj, Ustad Vilayat Khan, Padma Bhushan Ustad Amin Udin Dagar, Padma Bhushan Shanno Khurana, Padma Bhushan Pt. Debu Choudhri, Bharat Ratna, Padma Vibhushan Late Ustad Bismillah Khan.
“Music is not a profession for His Holiness Acharya Goswami Gokulotsavji. Music is his passion - a passion rising from the founts of deep devotion for he belongs to a religious body, the Vallabh Sampradaya, which has music firmly embedded in its fundamental thinking. His flair for music comes naturally and spontaneously. I have become a great admirer of his music”. - Pandit Ravi Shankar
“I cannot praise Gokulotsavji’s singing enough. His voice is so beautiful that each note emits light. His Khyal is wonderful because his foundation is in Dhrupad. We were privileged to hear Lahak taans which are seldom heard as they are difficult to sing in Khyal. His taan rendering is like torrential rain. He is a great and complete artist. He is the SUN and torch bearer of Vallabh sampradaya”. - N Aminuddin Khan Dagar
“Unquestionalbly, he is very great artist. How did he achieve so much?”. - Ustad Bismillah Khan
“Oh my goodness, he has everything. Waha - Incredible!”. - Ustad Vilayat Khan
“I have derived much peace and bliss from listening to Maharaji’s gayaki”. - Bhimsen Joshi
“His gayaki is matchless, pure and perfect”. - Pandit Jasraj“I have not heard anyone sing the sort of taans that Maharaji sings”. - Pandit Ram Narayan

Live Concert on 23rd October, 2010, Garware Hall, Karve road, Pune. At 6.30 PM
Accompaniment: Tabla: Shri Milind Pote, Harmonium: Shri Uday Kulkarni