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Born on October 2, 1927, Dinkar Kaikini's career as a musician was a testament to his limitless creativity: it exhibited a profound versatility and commitment to the art. He has devoted his life to performing, composing and teaching. His performing career started in 1946 and flourished thereafter. He toured widely internationally and served as an ambassador for Hindustani music, not only as a performing musician, but also as an educator. He also held prominent positions in the music field. He spent long years with All India Radio, starting in 1954, first as composer and then Producer. He was also Assistant Director for the Directorate, Ministry of Information and Broadcasting. This was followed by a long tenure as Principal at Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan's Music and Dance School, Mumbai. As Principal, Kaikini furthered his longstanding belief in promoting music through education and awareness.

Throughout his life, Kaikini had been a prolific composer, having composed hundreds of compositions in styles like khayal, dhrupad, dhamar, thumri and bhajan, as well as several new ragas. He also composed for large choruses and set music for films and the ballet production, 'Discovery of India' with Pandit Ravi Shankar.

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