Mohan Nadkarni, born September 22, 1922, was one of India’s most well known musicologists and perhaps the most published author on the subject. He was the music critic of The Times of India for over 50 years, having reviewed thousands of concerts between 1948 and 2002.

He authored over 4000 articles on music, theatre including Sanskrit drama, classical dance, film music, ethnomusicology and cultural topics in leading publications all over India and internationally. He was himself a trained vocalist.

 

He reviewed the earliest concert performances of legendary musicians of the twentieth century. He also consulted with recording companies like His Master’s Voice, CBS Records, Polydor and other international labels helping produce the early LP records of many of these artistes in terms of repertoire selection and liner notes.

 

In the process, he developed lifelong friendships with musical luminaries of three generations and has recorded fond memories of his discussions, arguments and the rare camaraderie he shared with them at different times in their successful careers.

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Nearly every article and every single book that Mohan Nadkarni authored was typed faithfully by his wife Suniti across more than five decades.