Navi Mumbai, renowned for its cultural prowess, recently witnessed an extraordinary moment of pride as Dr. Radhika Umdekar, a resident of Ulwe and a distinguished Vichitra Veena virtuoso from the Gwalior Gharana, left an indelible mark on the world stage. She performed at the prestigious G20 Summit cultural event, held at Bharat Mandapam, garnering acclaim from foreign delegates and world leaders.

Dr. Radhika Umdekar, also known as Veena Sadhika, was specially invited by the Sangeet Natak Academy in New Delhi to showcase her exceptional talent during a dinner hosted by President Smt. Droupadi Murmu at the G20 Summit. As a leading Vichitra Veena player, she has been making waves in the global music scene and has been imparting her knowledge through music classes in Sector 19, Palm Beach, Sanpada, and Sector 8, Ulwe, for several years.

Representing the rich heritage of North Indian Classical and Carnatic music, Dr. Radhika graced the cultural stage of the G20 Summit with solo, duet, and group performances that captivated the audience, which included Presidents and Prime Ministers from 20 different countries. Her participation was part of an ensemble called "Gandharv Atodyam" (Celestial Ensemble) organized by the Sangeet Natak Academy, featuring the theme song 'Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam.'

Dr. Radhika's stage presence, donned in the traditional 'Nawari' attire complemented by matching nathani, mani bhanda, komarbhand, and Gota mala, was nothing short of stunning as she skillfully played her Vichitra Veena. Notably, her performance earned accolades and personal appreciation from world leaders such as Prime Minister Fumio Kishida of Japan, Prime Minister Rishi Sunak of the UK, his wife Akshata Murty, and Prime Minister Sheikh Hassina of Bangladesh.

Dr. Radhika's musical journey has deep roots in her family's musical heritage, with her grandfather being the renowned Pt. Balabhau Umdekar, also known as "Kundal Guru," a celebrated exponent of the Gwalior Gharana of Hindustani classical music. Her father, Pandit Shriram Umdekar, is an "A grade" artiste proficient in Sitar, Surbahar, and Rudra veena.

One of her notable contributions to music is her work on the Vichitra Veena, an instrument that has seen a resurgence thanks to her efforts. Dr. Radhika's innovation includes modifying the instrument's size, making it smaller than the original, and enhancing its tonal quality, earning her recognition and appreciation for her uniqueness.