Veenaji comes from a family of musicians. Her father, late Pundit Shankar Shripad Bodas, was a disciple of Pundit Vishnu Digambar Paluskar. Young Veena started her musical education with Kathak dance. She was initiated into Khayal singing by her father and her brother, late Pundit Kashinath Shankar Bodas. Padmashri Balwantrai Bhatt, late Pundit Vasant Thakar and late Pundit Gajananbua Joshi have also contributed to her education. The style she has created for herself retains the fundamental values of Gwalior Gharana while borrowing somewhat from Kirana and Jaipur gharanas. The vidwans laud the authenticity of her music while most listeners are moved by its directness and intensity. Apart from Khayal, she is sought after for her rich repertoire of bhajans. She has sung at all the prestigious venues and occasions including Tansen Samaroh in Gwalior and Sawai Gandharva in Pune. At the Vokalfestival in Stockholm and at the Voices of the World festival in Copenhagen she represented Indian Classical Voice. She has recordings under many leading labels. She has been awarded the Uttar Pradesh Sangeet Natak Akademi Award for the year 1993. She has been awarded the Sangeet Natak Akademi Award (Puraskar) for 2013. Saily Panse Shellikeri Saily was introduced to Indian Classical Music by her mother Smt. Kunda Panse at a tender age of five. She finished Sangeet Visharad under her guidance. Later she persuaded M.A music under the guidance of renowned artist Mrs. Arati Ankalikar. Saily is a graded artist of All India Radio. She has won many awards and prizes. She has extensively toured India, USA, Dubai and Abu Dhabi for her music concerts. She has performed for TV channels like Zee TV, Sahyadri, Saam Marathi and Zee Marathi.
