Shrinivas Khale

Shrinivas Vinayak Khale (30 April 1926 – 2 September 2011), fondly addressed as "Khale Kaka", was an Indian composer/music director from Maharashtra, India.

Shrinivas initially studied at the Music College (now the Faculty of Performing Arts of Maharaja Sayajirao University of Baroda) and obtained his Diploma in vocal music.

Shrinivas was trained by Madhusudan Joshi of the Agra-Atrauli gharana (school of music).

Although Khale primarily composed music for the Marathi film industry, he composed music in other Indian languages as well: Hindi, Bengali, Gujarati and Sanskrit.

He recorded 141 poems and composed music for six Marathi films (Yanda Kartavya Ahe–1956, Bolki Bahauli–1961, Palsala Pane Teen–year not known, Jivhala–1968, Porki–1970, and Sobati–1971 ; A film Laxmi Pujan–1952 was never released).

He also provided music to theatrical plays Paanigrahan, Vidushak and Devache paay during his stint in Akashwani, Mumbai.

In 2008, the Chandraseniya Kayastha Prabhu community organization of Vadodara held a musical program to felicitate Khale after he returned to the city after 30 years.

His last album "Nath Maza Mi Nathancha" was released in September 2009 which includes Abhangas and Bhaktigeet by Saint Krishnadas.

Among his disciples is noted music composer and singer Shankar Mahadevan.

Khale was born in a Hindu family, having origins from Parali village in Kokan-Raigad zilla, Maharashtra, India.

His father was Vinayak Kashinath Khale, and mother was Laxmi Vinayak Khale.

His elder brother, Kashinath Khale, influenced his choice of a career in music.

He is the recipient of the Padma Bhushan award in 2010.

On behalf of Hridayesh Arts, an annual award called the Swar Shrinivas Puraskar has been instituted.

The first recipient being Kamlesh Bhadkamkar who has spent 12 years as a music composer and has worked closely with Kaka himself.