Dr. Dhananjay Daithankar, a Pune-based santoor maestro and senior disciple of Padma Vibhushan Pt. Shivkumar Sharma, began on tabla before transitioning to santoor in 1977. A top-graded AIR/Doordarshan and ICCR-empanelled artiste, he has performed at premier festivals including Sawai Gandharva and Tansen Samaroh, and toured the U.S., Europe, and Asia. Honours include the Surmani title, a national scholarship, and the Dattopant Deshpande Award. His production Nupur-Nāad, with Bharatanatyam exponent and wife Dr. Swati Daithankar, reflects his mission to expand the santoor’s expressive scope.