Aditi Kaikini Upadhya, one of India's most dynamic young Hindustani vocalists, was born in April 1961 into a family rich in musical tradition and artistic example. She received intense training in the traditional paramparic style, characterized by the dedicated and close tutelage of her Guru and father, Pandit Dinkar Kaikini, himself a grand and renowned gavaiyya of the Agra Gharana, and her mother, Shashikala Kaikini, respected radio vocalist and current Principal of the Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan's Music School in Bombay. It was from the same school that Aditi received her academic degree in music, the Sangeet Visharad, in 1982. A worthy spokeswoman of her father's powerful but nuanced style of singing, she has also chosen to highlight her lighter musical side, following training under Smt. Shobha Gurtu, known for her unparalleled mastery of Dadra, Thumri and Hori. Aditi Upadhya is an original and vibrantly creative musician.
She has been hosted by reputed presenters in India and abroad, including the National Centre for Performing Arts, Mumbai; Bhatkhande Sangeet Mahotsav, Mumbai; India International Centre, Delhi; Theatre de la Ville, Paris; Saaz, UK; National Institute of Advanced Studies (NIAS), Bangalore; Bangalore Sangeet Sabha; Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan, Bangalore; Ganjam Nagappa & Sons, Bangalore; and Dadar Matunga Music Circle, to name a few. Aditi Upadhya is also an able composer, carrying on her Guru's work in pioneering and innovative choral presentations and stage-work. Her brainchild, "Chatur Sujaan Dinarang Ek Parampara," a large-scale choral and theatrical production, tells the fascinating story of her grand Parampara. Her work in theater with M.S. Satyu has been immensely popular and received critical praise. She frequently gives lecture demonstrations and workshops on Indian classical music to both novices and connoisseurs. She has been regularly called upon to speak for audiences of intellectuals, theoreticians and scientists at Bangalore's National Institute for Advanced Studies.