September 22, 2025

BOSTON–In a world that often races toward the new, Shadaj has carved out a rare and essential space for the timeless. As the recipient of the Art & Culture Visionary Award at the 2025 New England Choice Awards, Shadaj is being recognized for its remarkable commitment to preserving and elevating Indian Classical Music—not just as an art form, but as a living, breathing experience that connects past to present, and tradition to innovation.

Founded in 2015 by Rajesh Godbole, a technology leader by profession and a music lover at heart, Shadaj was born out of a deeply personal journey. Raised in Pune, a city often referred to as the cultural capital of India, Godbole grew up surrounded by the sounds of Pandit Bhimsen Joshi, Kishori Amonkar, Kumar Gandharva, and Ravi Shankar. That formative environment, steeped in music, discussion, and reflection, shaped his vision for what Shadaj would eventually become: a sanctuary for the authentic, immersive, and intimate experience of Indian classical music.