Pandit Dinkar Kaikin It was at an early age that Pandit Dinkar Kaikini, veteran vocalist grew aware of the depths of Hindustani music and expressed a desire to be initiated into its beauty and subtlety. His thirst for music resulted in training under a series of music masters. Pt. Karekatte Nagesh Rao, a veteran exponent of the Patiala Gharana was his first true guru. Thereafter, he trained under Pt. Omkarnath Thakur of the Gwalior Gharana. Pt. Rajabhaiyya Poonchwale, another stalwart of the Gwalior Gharana also made a deep and lasting impact on the young boy. But it was his training under Padmabhushan Pt. S.N. Ratanjankar, disciple of Pt. Bhatkhande, foremost authority on the theoretical aspects of North Indian Music and Ustad Faiyaz Khan, the greatest exponent of the Agra gharana, that helped Pt. Kaikini realize the magnitude of North India's traditional Raga Sangeet. While in Morris College, Lucknow where he trained under Pt Ratanjankar, he developed a keen sense of aesthetics as well as a passion for teaching and imparting knowledge besides performing extensively. As a grand finale to this, he received the prestigious Bhatkhande Gold Medal for Khayal singing in 1943, following his performance in the final B.Mus. (Bachelor of Music) examination.