About Smita
Born on 21 March. Learning Sitar under the 'Guru-Shishya' tradition from the age of four. Her Guru Late Shri Vasudeo Rao Ashtewale was a traditional Sitar player from the well known 'Ashtewale Gharana' of Ujjain. She became 'Gandabandha Shagird' (disciple) of Sarod Maestro Ustad Amjad Ali Khan in 1997.
Awarded scholarship of CCRT New Delhi from 1984 to 1991 and scholarship to young artists in cultural field by Govt. of India in 1995 for two years. Visited China as cultural delegate in 1998. Passed M.A. in Ancient Indian History in 1995 and Master of Music from Khairagarh Music University, Madhya Pradesh in 1996. Awarded ‘B-High’ Grade of All India Radio. Daughter of well-known painter Shri Sachida Nagdev. Awarded Junior fellowship from Ministry of culture for two years.
- ‘Vadya Mahotsav’, Jawahar Kala Kendra, Jaipur – April 2025
- Bharat Bhavan ‘Sadaneera – Jal Ganga Samvardhan’ (Sitar aur Kavita) – June 2025
- ‘LokRang’ – composed and conducted orchestra of 85 Classical, Folk and Tribal Musicians, Bhopal – Jan. 2025
- Jury member of NCERT; ‘Rashtriya Kala Utsav’ – Jan. 2025
- 100 years of ‘Tansen Sangeet Samaroh’, performed at Shivpuri and ‘Guinness Book of World Records’, Gwalior – Dec. 2024
- IGNCA Delhi – ‘Sitar aur Kavita’ (Hindi Pakhwada) – Sep. 2024
- Indian Embassy Bangkok (Thailand) – Feb. 2024
- Singapore Fine Art Society and Nanyang Tech. University – Feb. 2024
- Int. conference on Water and ‘Sanskrit Divas’, ‘Sitar aur Kavita” with Mr. Rahul Sharma, France, Belgium – 2023
- Music and acting in a French documentary on ‘Humpi’ – 2022
- Concert Tour, Europe – 2022
- Orchha Festival – 2020
- Europe concert tour – France, Switzerland, Belgium – 2019
- IGNCA Delhi, Solo – 2019
- ‘Hotel De Ville’, Indian Embassy (Paris), International Music Festival (Switzerland), Belgium – April-May 2018
- Algerian Cultural Centre, Paris – July 2017
- ‘Swar-Maitry’ with European group ‘Piloot’ at ‘Museum of Mankind’ Bhopal and Ahmedabad – 2016
- Lecture, demonstration on Indian Classical Music and performance at ‘Music Conservatory’ Beijing and Eurasia University, Xian (China) September 2016
- Invited to perform at the opening ceremony of 'Zhujiajiao Water Village International Music Festival' September 2016 (Shanghai), China
- Lecture, demonstration on Indian Classical Music and performance at 'Hongkong Academy of Performing Arts', September 2016
- 'Festival of India' Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan, October 2016
- ‘Singapore Fine Art Society’, ‘Nanyang Technical University‘ and ‘National University of Singapore’ lecture, demonstration and concerts, January 2015
- Performed in India Week, Puteaux (France) for ‘Homage to Pt.Ravi Shankar' April 2013
- Performed at ‘Tansen Sangeet Samaroh’,Gwalior December 2013
- Performed with Guru Ustad Amjad Ali Khan at Wighmore Hall, London June 2012
- Performed at ‘Guimet Museum’ Paris, 2010
- Invited in ‘San Francisco International Festival of Arts’ in May, 2009
- Invited for ‘Artist in Residence’ programme by the French Government, 2005
