A National Award-winning voice, three generations of violin tradition and accomplished accompanists come together at Cary Memorial Hall on November 15. Book through Jay-Ho! Tickets.
For those who know Rahul Deshpande through his classical concerts, Marathi musical theatre or his National Award-winning singing in Me Vasantrao, the opportunity to hear him live carries a special anticipation. This November, Greater Boston audiences have another reason to look forward to his arrival: a program that brings together five distinctive artists for Swardeepavali 2026.
The afternoon opens with violinist brothers Tejas and Rajas Upadhye, followed by Rahul Deshpande, accompanied by Amit Kavthekar on tabla and Milind Kulkarni on harmonium. Together, the lineup brings generations of learning and extensive concert experience to Cary Memorial Hall in Lexington on Sunday, November 15, at 4:00 PM.
With classical compositions, devotional poetry and Marathi musical traditions on the program, Swardeepavali invites listeners to make live music part of their Diwali celebrations.
Rahul Deshpande: An Inherited Legacy, an Individual Journey
Rahul Deshpande’s connection to music is deeply personal. The grandson of Pandit Vasantrao Deshpande, he portrayed the celebrated vocalist in the Marathi biographical film Me Vasantrao, bringing his grandfather’s life and musical journey to the screen.
His singing for the film earned him the National Film Award for Best Male Playback Singer at the 68th National Film Awards, announced in 2022—recognition of his own artistry in a project honouring his family’s musical history.
Rahul’s training, however, followed a path shaped by several teachers. He was very young when his grandfather died and has explained that he did not have the opportunity to learn directly from him. His gurus have included Pandit Gangadharbuva Pimpalkhare, Dr. Madhusudan Patwardhan, Usha Chipalkatti and Pandit Mukul Shivputra.
That foundation supports a career spanning Hindustani classical music, semi-classical performance and Marathi musical theatre. His stage work includes Katyar Kaljaat Ghusli, Sangeet Maanapmaan and Sangeet Saunshyakallol, while his wider repertoire includes bhajans, thumris and dadras.
This breadth makes his appearance particularly appealing: the musical discipline of a classical vocalist meets the expressive instincts of an artist at home in theatre and cinema.
Tejas and Rajas Upadhye: A Family Tradition in Two Voices
Opening Swardeepavali are Tejas and Rajas Upadhye, brothers trained by their father, violin maestro Pandit Atulkumar Upadhye. They carry forward a tradition extending to their grandfather, Pandit Balkrishna Upadhye, with roots in the Pandit Bhaskarbuwa Bakhale gharana.
Tejas began learning the violin at five and gave his first concert at nine. His work includes solo recitals, composition and fusion collaborations with sitar, sarod, bansuri and guitar. He also co-founded Swarazankar and the Centre for Promotion of Music, creating platforms that support younger Hindustani classical musicians.
Rajas began his violin training at seven. A computer science graduate from Fergusson College in Pune, he chose to pursue music professionally. His experience includes sharing the stage with Begum Parween Sultana and Pandit Rajan–Sajan Mishra, alongside performances in India and Europe.
Their duet offers the pleasure of hearing two musicians with shared training develop their own perspectives within one performance—passing phrases between the violins, responding to each other and shaping the music together.
Amit Kavthekar: From Alla Rakha’s Teaching to International Stages
Amit Kavthekar brings a distinguished percussion background to Rahul’s vocal session. A ganda-bandh, or formally initiated, disciple of Ustad Alla Rakha, he began learning from the maestro at six and also received instruction from Ustad Zakir Hussain.
His performance experience includes collaborations with Ustad Amjad Ali Khan, Ustad Shahid Parvez and Pandit Jasraj. In 2018, he performed at the United Nations Day Concert with Amjad Ali Khan, Amaan Ali Bangash and Ayaan Ali Bangash.
Kavthekar’s work also reaches into jazz, fusion and Western classical music, including collaborations with guitarist Al Di Meola. His teaching at the New England School of Music in Massachusetts connects that international experience with the region’s own musical community.
Milind Kulkarni: A Harmonium Artist Trusted by Leading Voices
On harmonium, Milind Kulkarni brings extensive experience accompanying celebrated Indian classical vocalists.
His engagement with the instrument began at seven. Over his career, he has accompanied Pandit Jasraj, Ustad Rashid Khan, Dr. Prabha Atre and Kaushiki Chakraborty, with international appearances including London’s Darbar Festival.
That experience places him within a demanding performance tradition, where melodic understanding, precision and sensitivity to the vocalist are essential. His presence adds further depth to the ensemble.
A Program of Classical Depth and Devotional Expression
The advertised vocal program includes bandish, abhang, natyasangeet, nirgun bhajan and thumri, offering a varied journey through classical and semi-classical music.
A bandish provides a composed foundation for exploring a raga. Abhangs bring the devotional poetry associated with Maharashtra’s saint tradition, while natyasangeet carries the emotional expression of Marathi musical theatre. Nirgun bhajans explore devotion to the formless divine, and thumri gives particular space to lyrical interpretation.
For experienced concertgoers, the attraction lies in how an artist develops these forms in the moment. New listeners can find their own connection through the words, the rhythm or a melodic phrase that holds their attention. No specialist knowledge is needed to begin listening.
The Fourth Entertainment Brings Swardeepavali to Lexington
The Fourth Entertainment presents Swardeepavali, bringing the instrumental and vocal sessions together under the invitation: “Let the Festival of Lights glow with Music.”
The concert offers an occasion to share musical traditions across generations and introduce friends to artists they may be hearing live for the first time.
The event posters acknowledge Castinetti Realty Group, The Treasury and UniBank as sponsors.
Swardeepavali 2026: Event Details
| Detail | Information |
| Date | Sunday, November 15, 2026 |
| Start time | 4:00 PM |
| Venue | Cary Memorial Hall |
| Address | 1605 Massachusetts Avenue, Lexington, MA |
| Opening session | Violin duet by Tejas and Rajas Upadhye |
| Vocal session | Rahul Deshpande |
| Accompanying Rahul Deshpande | Amit Kavthekar, tabla; Milind Kulkarni, harmonium |
| Presented by | The Fourth Entertainment |
| Ticketing partner | Jay-Ho! |
Book Your Seats Through Jay-Ho! Tickets
Jay-Ho! is the ticketing partner for Swardeepavali, connecting music lovers with this festive concert in Greater Boston.
Visit the Jay-Ho! Tickets event page and select “Buy Your Tickets” to view booking options and reserve your seats. With concert information and ticket access in one place, it is easy to turn an afternoon of music into a plan.
Book Swardeepavali 2026 tickets through Jay-Ho!
Bring someone who loves this music—or someone about to discover it.
FAQs
1. When is Swardeepavali 2026 taking place?
Swardeepavali 2026 will take place on Sunday, November 15, 2026, at 4:00 PM.
2. Where will Rahul Deshpande perform in Lexington?
The concert will be held at Cary Memorial Hall, 1605 Massachusetts Avenue, Lexington, Massachusetts.
3. Who is performing at Swardeepavali 2026?
National Award-winning vocalist Rahul Deshpande will headline the event, accompanied by tabla artist Amit Kavthekar and harmonium player Milind Kulkarni. Violinists Tejas and Rajas Upadhye will open the programme with a duet.
4. What can audiences expect from Rahul Deshpande’s performance?
The programme will feature a selection of Indian classical and traditional musical forms, including bandish, abhang, natyasangeet, nirgun bhajan and thumri.
