Harshad Golesar And Duhita Golesar Receive Padma Shri Mahendra Kapoor Award For Contribution To Indian Music

In a significant recognition for contemporary Indian music rooted in classical tradition, singers Harshad Golesar and Duhita Golesar have been honoured with the prestigious Padma Shri Mahendra Kapoor Award 2026 for their contribution to Indian music and their emergence as one of the country’s promising musical acts.

The duo, known for blending Hindustani classical music with contemporary live arrangements through their musical project, the Harshaduhita Collective, has built a growing reputation for performances that seamlessly move across Bhajans, Sufi, Ghazals, folk music, semi-classical compositions and contemporary reinterpretations.

Their recognition follows their widely appreciated journey on India's Got Talent Season 11, where they reached the semi-finals and earned praise for bringing Indian classical music into mainstream entertainment spaces with emotional depth and originality.

While recent television exposure brought them wider visibility, the artists’ journey has been shaped by years of rigorous training and inherited musical traditions.

Harshad Golesar comes from a priestly family in Nashik that has served a temple for twelve generations. Surrounded by devotional music from an early age, he later pursued formal musical education through a Bachelor’s degree in Music and eventually topped his university. He is currently a Sangeet Visharad trained under Pandit Prasad Khaparde in the Rampur Gharana tradition.

Meanwhile, Duhita Golesar was raised in Mumbai in a family deeply connected to Indian classical music and recordings. A Gold Medalist from the University of Mumbai with a Master’s degree in Music, she trained under Vidushi Shalmalee Tai Joshi in the Jaipur Gharana tradition. Alongside her classical training, she has also worked extensively in playback singing, recordings and commercial music projects.

Together, the duo has created a distinct musical identity that combines classical ragas and intricate rhythms with contemporary arrangements and large-scale live experiences.

Speaking about the recognition, Harshad Golesar said receiving an honour associated with legendary singer Mahendra Kapoor felt deeply emotional.

“Music has always been part of our lives and upbringing. From temple bhajans in Nashik to performing on national television, every step of the journey has shaped us. There were phases where people doubted us and moments where things felt extremely difficult, but we stayed committed to our music and continued working with complete faith. This recognition feels very special because it acknowledges years of silent sadhana and dedication,” he said.

Duhita Golesar said their larger aim has always been to create emotionally resonant and spiritually uplifting music.

“We have always believed that music should make people feel something deeply. Beyond performance and recognition, our intention has always been to create music that feels emotionally intense, spiritually strong and peaceful from within. We want audiences to leave our concerts feeling lighter and more connected to themselves,” she said.

Beyond television and digital popularity, the duo is now focused on expanding the Harshaduhita Collective into a global live music and cultural property. Their performances combine vocals with instruments such as keyboard, flute, harmonium, guitars, tabla and drums, creating immersive musical experiences that bridge spirituality, emotion and large-format entertainment.

The artists are also collaborating on projects with Shankar Mahadevan while actively working towards international touring and global cultural productions.

At a time when audiences are increasingly reconnecting with authenticity and cultural identity in music, Harshad and Duhita Golesar are emerging as part of a new generation of artists carrying Indian classical traditions into contemporary global spaces without losing their essence.