Early Life
Kaushal S. Inamdar was born in Pune on 2nd October 1971. He completed his schooling from IES Modern English School, Mumbai and Billimoria High School, Panchgani. He graduated in the Arts stream from the D. G. Ruparel College, Mumbai with Economics & Political Science. While in college, Kaushal met the well-known playwright, Chetan Datar who mentored Kaushal and inspired him to write one act plays. While in school, Kaushal took primary lessons in Indian light music from well-known composer, Kamalakar Bhagwat. After graduation, he studied law for two years. During that time Kaushal simultaneously embarked on a career in writing for television. He also started learning about the finer nuances of music composition from the noted vocalist and musicologist, Pt. Satyasheel Deshpande. He quit his writing career and turned to music composing full time after his first stage show, Amrutacha Vasa, which won critical and popular acclaim.
Work
Some of the films that he composed music for are – Not Only Mrs. Raut, Balgandharva, Sanshaykallol, Ajintha, Pitruroon, It’s Breaking News (Hindi), Yellow and Rangaa Patangaa. His music of Balgandharva and Ajintha bagged awards at state and national levels also winning him international acclaim. His song Kaisa Rasta has been included in their anthology of world music by the German music label, Go Fish Records.
Apart from scoring for movies, Kaushal has also composed music for television and albums. Some of his albums are Shubhra Kalya Moothbhar, Gard Nila Gaganzhula, Bhavanjali, Mann Pakharache Hoi and Jaanvee. His score for television includes shows such as Chaar Diwas Sasuche, Bhatkanti, 405, Anandvan, Marathi Paul Padate Pudhe and Eka Lagnachi Dusari Gosht to name a few.
Marathi Abhimaangeet
He is best known for composing and producing the Marathi Abhimaangeet, possibly the largest song ever produced. The song has been recorded with 112 established singers and a choir of 356 singers totalling to approximately 460 singers. He decided to record the song when he was told by a radio jockey that radio stations don’t play Marathi songs as they were considered down-market. After this song, most radio stations changed their policy.
Events
He has composed music for several live shows as well including Celebrating India, Mumbai Festival and Rain Raaga with George Brooks and Louiz Banks. He has performed his show, KaushalKatta, in USA, Canada, Qatar, and Kuwait. His talk show Eka Sangeetkarachi Mushaphiri based on his experiences as a music composer has been performed in England, Scotland and Japan. Hamsika Iyer and Kaushal also have their band Rasayatra.
Collaborations and Accolades
Kaushal has collaborated with some of the finest contemporary musicians of national and international repute. These include singers like Shankar Mahadevan, Suresh Wadkar, Roopkumar Rathod, Anand Bhate, Raghunandan Panshikar, Shreya Ghoshal, Shalmali Kholgade and Hamsika Iyer and musicians like Louiz Banks, George Brooks, Christian Howes, Amir John Haddad and Juno Reactor (of Matrix fame). Stalwarts in the field of music, literature and film such as P. L. Deshpande, Kusumagraj, Manik Varma, Yashwant Deo, Shrinivas Khale, mega star, Amitabh Bachchan have appreciated his music. He has won various awards such as the Pulotsav Award, Raja Paranjape Award, Vitthal Umap Award, Keshavrao Bhole Award, Indradhanu Award to name a few.
Author
Apart for writing columns in various newspapers and reputed magazines, Kaushal has also authored the Marathi book – Kshitij Jase Disate (The Horizon Perceived). He also wrote songs for the Hindi film, It’s Breaking News. Writing poetry is his passion.