Born to Shri Govinda Hegde and Ganapamma Hegde in Uttara Kannada district of Karanataka, Pandit Parameshwar Hegde was drawn into music at a very young age. Under the influence of his father late Shri Govinda Hegde who was a dynamic theatre enthusiast himself, he started learning Hindustani music when he was ten years old. Soon, under the guidance of Sri.S.M.Bhat and Pandit Chandrashekar Puranika Math, his interest in music grew into a passion. It was in 1976 that Hegde went to Dharwad to seek advanced training under Pandit Basavaraj Rajguru.
Personal life
Pandit Parameshwar Hegde is married to Smt. Lalitha Hegde, a singer herself, who is the daughter of legendary Yakshagana artist and musician late Dr.Mahabala Hegde Keremane.They have two daughters, Veena and Vani.
Career
In his early music career days, Pandit Parameshwar Hegde was a rank holder in the Visharad exam conducted by the Gandharva Mahavidyalaya and a first rank holder in Vidwath exam conducted by the Government of Karnataka. Being an ‘A’ grade artist on All India Radio, he has been featured in several national broadcasts. He has performed with the world renowned musician Pandit Vishwamohan Bhatt in a couple of Jugalbandi concerts.He has appeared on television and is much sought after as a concert artist at prestigious music festivals like 'Basava Jayanthi Utsav', 'Impu', Hampi Utsav, 'Sawai Gandharv Bhimsen Mahotsav' and has also performed in India, U.S.A, Canada, United Kingdom and the Gulf countries. The music of Pandit Parameshwar Hegde is marked by an adherence to the principles of purity and restraint of the Kirana, Gwalior and Patiala gharanas. He is also known for his soulful rendering of ‘bhajans’ ‘padas’ and ‘vachanas’.
Music academy and Trust
‘Parameshwar Hegde Sangeeth Academy’ is the dream child of Pandit Parameshwar Hegde. The Academy wishes to focus upon promoting young talented artists, providing scholarships for poor but talented students especially from rural areas, honouring and acknowledging the contributions of great Gurus in the field of classical music, promoting Indian classical music in its intrinsic form both nationally and internationally. Another familiar and popular venture of the academy is the ‘Raag Anuraag’ series founded and orchestrated by Pandit Parmeshwar Hegde. ‘Raag Anuraag’ is the collection of short introductions of the wide range of ragas in Hindustani classical music to the unassuming public audience. ‘Raag Anuraag’ has been conducted from several years, the very recent being performed by the third-generation artists. Pandit Parameshwar Hegde founded 'Rajguru Smruti’, a trust in the fond memory of his Late guru Pandit Basavaraj Rajguru. Every year a number of programs are conducted by the trust, with an intention to promote the art form to Bangaloreans. Rajguru Smruti conducts three annual programs under its auspices:
‘Sangeeth Samaroh’which is a musical concert where a medley of artists are invited to perform. Veteran and young, hailing from different parts of the country, carrying the scent of different gharanas – various artists perform this concert, which is one of the most popular programs conducted by the trust.
‘Parampara’embodies the concept of Guru-Shishya tradition. An artist and his/her two disciples perform in this event – highly accomplished artists have performed with their disciples so far in this unique concert.
‘Sur Prabhat’This is a one of its kind concerts. Something unique that Rajguru Smruti offers its music aficionados. This is an early morning concert conducted in the bucolic environs of Chitra Kala Parishat, where popular national/international level artists are invited to perform in the picturesque open auditorium at the early hours of morning – a program solely dedicated the celebration of morning ragas. Few notable artists who have performed are Shubha Mudgal, Pandit Ronu Manjumdar, Ruchira Kedar, Pandit Rajan & Sajan Mishra.
Music compositions and Audio releases
Pandit Parameshwar Hegde has composed music for several movies and music albums. He has directed music for ‘Puttana Prapancha’, a Kannada short film, ‘Saacha’, a Kannada movie, ‘Manasaagide’, a Kannada music album and has also rendered his voice for Kannada songs like ‘Henthana Endigu’ in ‘Kiladi’ and ‘Kandu Kandu’ in ‘Dayavittu Gamanisi’ to name a few.
Music Teaching
Pandit Parameshwar Hegde offers several stages for his students to perform and thus hone their performance skills. Each month Hegde organizes a baithak where a few students are provided an opportunity to perform followed by his rendition. The discussion and feedback that ensues enriches the student's repertoire. There is also the annual ‘Guru Poornima’ celebration that completed 25 years in 2017. It spans over two full days, all the students of Hegde perform to pay a musical tribute to their guru. Many of his students are popular concert artistesas well as sought after gurus. His notable students include Vasundhara Das and Bharath B. J..
