Leela Karambelkar

Leela Karambelkar nee Puranik was born in Kolhapur. She had her early training in music from her father Narayanrao Puranik and started learning from Jagannathbuwa Purohit ‘Gunidas’ from 1956. In 1958, she was awarded the Sangeet Visharad degree (with distinction) and completed her Master’s degree in music from the S.N.D.T. University in 1960. She trained under Jagannathbuwa Purohit until his death in 1968, and thereafter, continued her study for twelve years under C.R. Vyas, senior disciple of Jagannathbuwa Purohit. She also learnt for two to three years from Ram Marathe, who was also a disciple of Jagannathbuwa Purohit.

After her marriage in 1959, Leela Karambelkar moved residence to Dombivli, where she was engaged in several activities related to music, theatre and literature. She was awarded the silver medal for two consecutive years in the preliminary and final rounds of the Maharashtra Rajya Natya Spardha. She composed music for the play ‘Mumbaigeeta’.

She has been teaching music since 1968.