Gokulotsavji Maharaj

Pandit Gokulotsavji Maharaj is a Hindustani classical musician, specializing in Khayal, Dhrupad Dhammar, Prabandh Gayaki and various other ancient Indian musical styles. He is also a singer-cum-composer, writer, poet and musicologist.

He composes music under the pen name MadhurPiya. He has created more than 5,000 compositions in Khayal, Dhrupad Dhammar, Prabandha Gayan, etc. in Sanskrit, Hindi, Braj Bhasha, Persian, Urdu. He belongs to the Samaveda (mother of Indian Music) and Krishna Yajurveda parampara (tradition).

He has received the Padma Bhushan and the Padma Shri

He has also created several new Raagas such as Bhaat Kalyan, AdhbhutRanjini, Hem Gaud, Madhur Malahar, Divya Gandhar, Khat Shringar, Prasanna Padaa, etc.

He has given interpretations and hidden meanings of syllables nom, tom, dere, na, tadani, etc., of dhrupad aalap and tarana, which were earlier considered to be meaningless and he states that these syllables derive their meaning, authority, creation and existence from vedic mantra beej-akshars.

Neeta Mathur (associate professor at Vivekanand College Delhi University) has authored a biographical book named "Shashtriya Sangeet ke Surya Acharya Pandit Gokulotsavji Maharaj (translation: "Sun of Classical Music Acharya Pandit Gokulotsavji Mahara" on Maharaj.

Maharaj has also served as the Member of Indian Council for Cultural Relations (ICCR), Trustee of Bharat Bhavan and Judge to the First Court of Harisingh Gour Vishwavidyalaya, Sagar.

Recordings - Music Albums Lalit, Bhatiyar and BageshreeAudiorecDouble CDMusic from India-LiveRam Priya, DeshkarAsian Music CircuitCDHaveli SangeetVarious Ragas are coveredTimes of IndiaCassettePristine Purity Khayal & TaranaCDBhina ShadajIndira Gandhi National Centre for the Arts(IGNCA) CDBandisheVarious Ragas are coveredCD