Bhatkhande varsity VC removed from post
LUCKNOW : Governor Anandiben Patel on Sunday removed Bhatkhande Music Institute Deemed University vice chancellor Shruti Sadolikar Katkar from her post. An official statement mentioned no reason for the step.
The work of the vice chancellor has been handed over to Lucknow divisional commissioner Mukesh Meshram till the appointment of the next VC is finalised.
When contacted, Katkar refused to comment on her removal.
“Presently, I am in Mumbai. I will come and meet the governor to put my point in front of her. However, I have always worked honestly to improve the institute. My best wishes to the students and the staff,” she said over the phone from Mumbai.
Katkar was appointed vice chancellor of the prestigious Bhatkhande Music Institute Deemed University, Lucknow, in 2009.
A recipient of the Sangeet Natak Akademi award, she is the daughter of acclaimed classical maestro and guru the late Wamanrao Sadolikar who taught stalwarts like Lata Mangeshkar and Hridaynath Mangeshkar. Katkar has trained about 80 students under the ‘gurushishya parampara’ in addition to numerous pupils in institutions across India and abroad.
Music teachers and staffers of Bhatkhande had raised the banner of revolt against Katkar when she was blamed for the untimely death of internationally reputed sarangi maestro Pandit Vinod Mishra in January this year.
The maestro’s daughter Preeti Mishra said, “My father Pandit Vinod Mishra was retired forcibly and (he) was repeatedly humiliated by Shruti Shadolikar Katkar despite being an artiste of
› Presently, I am in Mumbai. I will come and meet the governor to put my point in front of her. However, I have always worked honestly to improve the institute. My best wishes to the students and the staff SHRUTI SADOLIKAR KATKAR
international repute. Ultimately, my father died without treatment in penury as Shruti Sadolikar Katkar blocked all his retirement funds and pension.”
She also said, “Yes, I made a complaint against her in front of the authorities. Now, I want an FIR against her registered for the death of my father.”
“In 2018, my father was selected by ICCR (Indian Council for Cultural Relations) to represent the country along with noted Kathak exponent Surabhi on the occasion of Republic Day. It was a programme by the government of India (Centre) and the Bhatkhande VC had full knowledge of that. He (Pandit Vinod Mishra) was going on a foreign trip for the honour of the country, not for personal gains. But when he returned, he was told that he was suspended because he represented India without the permission of the Bhatkhande VC. ”
The artistes and staff of Bhatkhande had demanded an inquiry into financial and administrative irregularities during Katkar’s tenure.
“There have been more than 80 complaints made against her with the state government,” said senior Kathak dancer Surabhi Singh Tandon.