| Saleel Kulkarni | |
| Birth Date: | 6 October 1972 |
| Birth Place: | Pune, Maharashtra, India |
| Occupation: | Singer, music director, poet, writer |
| Genre: | Soundtracks, albums, movie, light music |
| Associated Acts: | Writing, compering |
| Years Active: | 1996–present |
Saleel Kulkarni (Marathi pronunciation: [saliːl kulkəɾɳiː]; 6 October 1972) is a Marathi music composer, singer and author.
Saleel Kulkarni sang the Marathi Prose 'Jayostute ' on All India Radio, Pune station at the age of three. Thereafter, he undertook key lessons in singing and music from eminent personalities like Gangadharbuva Pimpalkhare, Jaymalabai Shiledar and Pramod Marathe. Formal education wise, Kulkarni is a medicine graduate and was working as a doctor in the early part of his life. While working as a music director for the last ten years, he has composed songs for Hindi and Marathi albums, serials and films.
As a singer, Saleel Kulkarni has rendered his voice for many composers for albums and shows. Some of the artists that have sung/recorded for Kulkarni include Bela Shende, Shankar Mahadevan, Hariharan, Shreya Ghoshal, Sandeep Khare, Hrishikesh Ranade, Suvarna Mategaonkar, Shubha Joshi, Madhura Datar, Vibhavari Apte Joshi, Avadhoot Gupte. Saleel played Judge for competitive singing reality show "Sa Re Ga Ma Pa" on Zee Marathi where along with assessing the performances of participants, he mentored and nurtured many upcoming talented individuals. He has also written columns in leading Marathi daily. He is author of a maiden book "Lapavalelya Kaacha" [1] Saleel runs a Music School in Pune.
Saleel Kulkarni teamed up with Sandip Khare for the show 'Ayushyawar Bolu Kahi' (आयुष्यावर बोलू काही). Kulkarni was also a part of Marathi SaReGaMaPa as judge and mentor.[2] He has performed in musical concerts in UK, US, Singapore, Switzerland, and Shanghai.[3]
He is doing selected shows with veteran music director Hridaynath Mangeshkar for program 'Maitra Jeevanche' (मैत्र जीवांचे). After a long break of almost 12 years Lata Mangeshkar sang Marathi bhavgeeta when she recorded songs with him as a music director for the album "Kshan Amrutache".
| Album title | Language | Year | Singers | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Anand Pahat | 1999 | Saleel Kulkarni | ||
| Tarihi Vasant Fulato | 1999 | Saleel Kulkarni, Ravindra Sathe, Shrikant Pargaonkar | ||
| 25 Chhan Chhan Baal Geete | 1999 | Saleel Kulkarni and others | ||
| Ayushyawar Bolu Kahi[6] | 2003 | Sandeep Khare Saleel Kulkarni | ||
| Namanjoor | 2005 | Sandeep Khare Saleel Kulkarni | ||
| Dibadi Dipang[7] | 2007 | Sandeep Khare Saleel Kulkarni | ||
| Sang Sakhya Re | 2006 | Sandeep Khare Saleel Kulkarni | ||
| Sandhiprakashat | 2008 | Saleel Kulkarni | ||
| Hrudayamadhale Gaane | 2009 | |||
| Damalelya Babachi Kahani | 2010 | Sandeep Khare Saleel Kulkarni | ||
| Kshan Moharate | 2008 | Hrishikesh Ranade, Prajakta Ranade | ||
| Barase Badariya | 2008 | Sawni Shende | ||
| Mazech Geet Mi Gate | 2007 | Suvarna Mategaonkar | ||
| Mazya Mana | 2000 | Bela Shende | ||
| Haribhajan | 2007 | Sanjeev Abhyankar | ||
| Aggobai Dhaggobai[8] | 2007 | Sandeep Khare, Saleel Kulkarni, Anjali Kulkarni | ||
| Aggobai Dhaggobai 2[9] | 2011 | Sandeep Khare, Saleel Kulkarni, Anjali Kulkarni, Shubhankar Kulkarni | ||
| Kshana Amrutache | 2013 | Saleel Kulkarni, Lata Mangeshkar | ||
| Ja Dile Man Tula | 2014 | Saleel Kulkarni, Sandeep Khare | ||
| Diva Lagu De Re Deva[10] | 2015 | Aarya Ambekar | ||
| Guru, Sakha, Bandhu, Maaybaap | 2016 | Saleel Kulkarni |
In 2010, Saleel Kulkarni had written a fortnightly column 'Musically Yours'[11] for leading Marathi daily Loksatta. The articles got finishing touch, got some literature treatment by author and came out as his maiden book 'Lapawlelya Kacha' (लपवलेल्या काचा).[12] Owing to insistent demands from Marathi readers all over the world, publication house 'Continental' produced 3rd & 4th edition of book.Released his second book ‘ Shahanya manasanchi factory ‘ in 2017 which was well received by the readers.
Saleel conceived and thematically designed the concept for weekly show 'Madhali Sutti' (मधली सुट्टी) being telecast on Zee Marathi.[13]
Saleel Kulkarni directed his maiden venture Wedding Cha Cinema, which released on 12 April 2019. Saleel has also written the story and screenplay for the movie.[14] He has also directed the movie "Ekda Kaay Jhale" (2022), which won the National award for Best Feature Film.[15]
| Song Name | Album Name | Singer | Lyricist | Music | Year | Language | |
| Aayushya Ek Yatra | Aayushya Ek Yatra | Saleel Kulkarni | U R Giri | Apr-05 | Marathi | ||
| Taaryas Ya Kadhicha | Aayushya Ek Yatra | Saleel Kulkarni | Suresh Dwadshiwar | Apr-05 | Marathi | ||
| Udu Udu Zalaya | Single | Aanand Shinde | Sameer Sawant | Saleel Kulkarni | Aug-17 | Marathi | |
| Baadara Re.... Meera - A Confluence | Single | Saleel Kulkarni, Meghana Sardar, Pradnya Kokil | Traditional | Saleel Kulkarni | Oct-17 | Hindi | |
| Gaayeja | Single | Kaushiki Chaktraborty, Mahesh Kale | Sameer Sawant | Saleel Kulkarni | Nov-17 | Hindi | |
| Un Lagale | Single | Devaki Pandit | Grace | Saleel Kulkarni | Jun-18 | Marathi | |
| Sur Nave String | Single | Aashish Kulkarni, Akshay Anamkar, Shreya Kharabe, Deepanshi Nagar | Sandeep Khare | Saleel Kulkarni | Jun-18 | Marathi | |
| Sur Nave Unplugged | Single | Nishant Phatak, Saurabh Salunkhe, Priya Padalikar, Manali Nerikar | Sandeep Khare | Saleel Kulkarni | Jun-18 | Marathi | |
| Ghana Vadan | Single | Rucha Mule Jambhekar | Baa Bha Borkar | Saleel Kulkarni | Jun-18 | Marathi | |
| Aaj Sare Mam Ekakipan | Single | Shounak Abhisheki, Rahul Deshpande | Shanta Shelke | Saleel Kulkarni | Jun-18 | Marathi | |
| Bhimarupee Maharudra | Single | Kids Chorus | Shri Ramdas Swami | Saleel Kulkarni | Aug-18 | Marathi | |
| Ruk Ja Zaalim | Single | Shubhangi Joshi | Sandeep Khare | Saleel Kulkarni | Aug-18 | Marathi | |
| Tu Gelyavar Phike Chandane | Single | Saleel Kulkarni | Baa Bha Borkar | Sourabh Bhalerav | Nov-18 | Marathi |
Kulkarni was married to National Award-winning singer Anjali Marathe, daughter of singer Anuradha Marathe. He has two children – son Shubhankar Kulkarni who sang in the movie Chintoo (चिंटू), as well as a daughter, Ananya. He later separated from Anjali Marathe.