Mahesh Kale

Mahesh Kale is a San Francisco Bay Area–based, National Award–winning Indian classical vocalist who has become one of the most visible global ambassadors of the Varkari devotional repertoire. Trained in the gurukul tradition under the legendary Pandit Jitendra Abhisheki, he won India's National Film Award for Best Male Playback Singer for the film 'Katyar Kaljat Ghusali', and is celebrated for his soaring renditions of Marathi abhangs — the songs of Tukaram, Dnyaneshwar, and the Pandharpur pilgrimage. His 'Abhangwari' concert series recreates the spirit of the wari pilgrimage on stage, carrying abhang kirtan to sold-out audiences across the US, Europe, India, Australia, New Zealand, and Singapore. Through his Mahesh Kale School of Music he also teaches this living tradition to a worldwide community of students.