Vidyadhar Oke

Vidyadhar Oke (born 1952) is an Indian doctor, musicologist, harmonium player, and astrology consultant, who has done research in the use of shrutis (microtones) in Indian classical music and created a unique 22-shruti version of the harmonium.

Early life Oke is a Doctor of Medicine, MBBS, MD (pharmacology) from University of Mumbai, India. He later trained in management at the London Business School and Duke University, U.S.A; and in clinical research at Wellcome Trust, UK. Oke was fortunate to be trained at the Wellcome Research Laboratories at Beckenham, U.K., where 5 Nobel laureates had worked at a time. Oke met Rajiv Gandhi, the ex-prime minister of India in the "Young Scientists' Meet" convened by Raghunath Anant Mashelkar. For years, he gave services in the Pharmaceutical Industry in organizations including Wockhardt, GlaxoSmithKline, Piramal Group; and at 52 years, he retired as President and dedicated himself to music research.

Oke was educated at Raja Shivaji Vidyalaya (formerly known as King George High School), and Ramnarain Ruia College. He graduated from King Edward Memorial Hospital and Seth Gordhandas Sunderdas Medical College. While in school, Oke was selected to play a Chess match with Ramchandra Sapre, the first winner of the Indian Chess Championship. Oke won Badminton championships including the Inter-School/Collegiate and open events convened by Cricket Club of India, Matunga Gymkhana and Central Indian Railways Institute, Mumbai.

Musical career Oke's maternal grandfather and mother Shanta were harmonium players. Shanta was also a singer and student of Narayanrao Vyas, a disciple of Vishnu Digambar Paluskar. Oke, a renowned third generation harmonium artist playing the instrument since the age of four, His first public performance was a harmonium solo in 1972 on Mumbai Doordarshan.

22 Shruti Research

Oke's research on shrutis in the Indian classical music is insightful and potentially revolutionary. the world's first, which can also double up as an Accordion, Oke gave lec-dems on his research on shrutis at several locations including a TED-X talk at IIT Gandhinagar.

When compared with the primordial model of Bharata Muni, Oke’s research was found most convincing as it has the highest mathematical sophistication and accuracy, along with an amalgamation of principles of Indian music laid by great scholars of Indian music such as Bharata himself. The approval of great artists and musical instruments applying his model directly into the practice is a profound positive in his favor.

Author 11 Upanishade aani Vidyadharopanishad (Marathi) (Marathi Edition) - 10 December 2024 Shriram Kundali (based on modern research) (Marathi Edition) - 22 January 2024 99% Match: The Periodic Table and 22 Shrutis of Indian Classical Music : Unveiling the universal code of creation and music - 2023 Taj Mahal: An unbelievable discovery, 2nd Edition – 2023. Punarjanma : Mithya Kee Tathya (Marathi), Parama Mitra Publications – 2018. 22 Shrutis (Hindi), Sanskar Prakashan - 2015. Shrutividnyan Va Ragasoundarya, Rajhansa Prakashan - 2015 Taj Mahal, (A Music Drama approved by Maharashtra Rajya Prayog Parinirikshan Mandal or Sensor Board for Dramas, Maharashtra State) – 2014. Shrutigeeta, Madhav Rafter Publications – 2011. 22 Shrutis, (Marathi), Sanskar Prakashan - 2010. 22 Shrutis, (English), Sanskar Prakashan - 2007. Govind Gunadarshan, (A life sketch of Govindrao Patwardhan), Bhagyashree Publications – 2006. Manoranjak Swabhavashastra, (An Astrological treatise on the Chinese zodiac), Udveli Books −2002. Mitra Jivacha', (An Astrological treatise on the Chinese system of I Ching) Kasturika Communications -1996.

Astrologer A student of Late Pandita Leelatai Paranjpe, Oke has studied Hindu astrology, Chinese astrology, and Western astrology for 50 years. He is a great proponent of Grant Lewi, considered as the father of modern astrology in America. Lewi's Philosophy of Life is that Destiny, when multiplied by Free will, creates human life, which normally appears as a constant struggle between what is existence and what essence) ought to be. Knowledge about horoscope gives a glimpse into destiny and allows for prospective planning of Free will (alternatives and choices) to create the best possible conditions of Human Life. Oke has written newspaper articles and authored books including one on the 12 signs of the Chinese Zodiac besides presenting a daily Astrology programme on ETV Network, Mumbai.

The incorporeal essence of a living being called the soul exists as consciousness before birth and even before conception – a first fundamental fact of reincarnation. Oke has authored a book proposing examples of reincarnation of prominent Indian personalities including Narendra Modi, Manmohan Singh, Swami Ramdev, Mohan Bhagwat, Medha Patkar, Vishwanathan Anand, Sonu Nigam, A. R. Rahman, Rashid Khan, Shivkumar Sharma, Ajoy Chakrabarty, Shahid Parvez, Rajan Mishra, Kishori Amonkar, Alla Rakha, Vishnu Digambar Paluskar, Dadasaheb Phalke, D. V. Paluskar, Anokhelal Mishra, Vasantrao Deshpande and Bal Gandharva.

Awards Best Drama, Best Playwright and Best Music Director for 'Sangeet Tajmahal' (59th Maharashtra state sangeet natak competition, 2020) Pancharatna Puraskar (Harmony Foundation) Vitthalrao Korgaonkar Puraskar (Surel Samvadini Samvardhan, Belgaum) Maharashtra Granthottejak Sanstha (Pune) P.L.Deshpande Award (Uttung Sanskrutik Pariwar, Mumbai) Bandubhaiyya Chougule Puraskar (Indore) Appasaheb Jalgaokar Puraskar (Ganavardhan, Pune) Keshavrao Bhosale Award by Govt. of Maharashtra Thane Bhushan Award (Thane Municipal Corporation) Thane Nagar Ratna Award (Nagar Vikas Manch) Thane Manabindu Award (Maharashtra Times-Indradhanu) Anil Mohile Award (Siddhakala Academy) Vinayak Damodar Savarkar Award (Savarkar Nyasa) Dr. Sharadini Dahanukar Hirvai Sanman (King Edward Memorial Hospital and Seth Gordhandas Sunderdas Medical College|King Edward Memorial Hospital) Swara-Kranti Award (Nadabrahma) Sahavadak Puraskar (Swarabandh, Mumbai) Surmani (Sur Singar Samsad) Leadership through Innovation Award (Wockhardt) Best Music Director (Drama), Dnyanoba Majha, (Maharashtra Times Sanman) Best Music Director (Drama), Sanyasta Jwalamukhi, (Zee TV Nomination) Ashtapailu Puraskar, (Chitpavan Brahmin Sangh, Thane) Shraddhanand Puraskar, (Brahmin Sabha, Mumbai) Pune Marathi Granthalaya Puraskar (Pune) Akhil Bharatiya Marathi Prakashak Sangh Puraskar

Personal life Vidyadhar Oke is married to Bhagyashree Oke. She is a Kathak Dancer. They have three sons, Anand, Amod and Aditya Oke. Aditya is also a harmonium player. His daughter-in-law Vedashree Oke is a stage actress and a singer.