Our Team
Founder & President Mr. Rigveda Deshpandey (Mumbai)
Rigveda Deshpandey is a multi-talented personality. He has been whistling since the age of 6 looking up to his dad and founded the Indian Whistlers’ Association at a young age of 18 with a utopic dream of spreading whistling and getting whistlers together. His mother is his biggest support and critique and Rigveda believes that this art specially needs an extraordinary amount of family support to hone and prosper.
He is a Sound Engineer since 7 years and was inspired to become one while exploring recording of his whistling and sharing with his foreign friends. He has also worked as a Dubbing Supervisor, Writer and Quality Check on numerous projects of various clients like Zee, Star, History Channel, National Geographic etc. He loves teaching Sound Engineering and sharing his industry experiences with students and involving them in his projects for hands on experience.
He has started a Whistling Syllabus and teaches from the basics and how one should perform at international platforms. He was also a part of the winning team at International Whistling Convention, 2010 China and under his leadership a 8 member team travelled to World Whistlers Convention, 2016 Japan and won 3 -1st prizes.
He is now teaching Sound Engineering at a private college in Mumbai. He is a budding filmmaker and has co-produced, co-directed, co-written, co-edited a short film “The Final Full Stop” on the increasing problem of suicides and how to address the issue, which has been submitted to international film festivals.
He is currently writing a couple of more short films and documentaries and produces IWA’s all audio visual content and live shows.
Secretary: Mr. Rajesh Gaikwad (Mumbai)
Treasurer: Mr. Vijay Awari (Mumbai)
Vijay Awari is a science graduate from Mumbai University and works for Rashtriya Chemicals & Fertilizers Ltd. (RCF) as an Asst. Engg (Production). He has been whistling since he was in school. Whistling is a passion for him. He joined IWA in 2015 and wishes to take IWA to the topmost level in world of whistling.
He is usually softspoken with a calm demeanour but whistling excites him and is a moral compass and backbone of support for IWA and believes in working keeping a low profile.
Committee Member: Mrs. Aparna Naik (Mumbai)
Aparna Naik is a housewife with an unusual obsession ….whistling!! She is crazy about whistling and happy to be a part of the IWA. She is lucky to be one of those with a very very supportive family. Love dogs, books and music with a passion. She is a person who believes in calling a spade for what it is and is a moral compass and backbone of support for IWA.
Core Committee
Cpt. Chetan Bapat (Mumbai)
Sheldon D’Souza is a whistler, self-trained beatboxer and copywriter at a leading international ad agency. He loves the vibe of performing on stage. As a performer, his uniqueness lies in his trumpet tune and fast paced beats that resemble drum percussions all without instruments. To add more variety to his musical interests he even plays Ukulele, Guitar, and Puck (Harmonica).
He’s the founder of a music band-Wood String Beats. He’s performed at numerous college shows, studios, etc. He’s performed live on RJ Anita’s weekend brunch show and has appeared in Mumbai Mirror.
Dhaval Thakkar is born and brought up in Mumbai and works for Deloitte. Dhaval started whistling when he was in school at around 12 years of age, but wasn’t much appreciated by his father for the same. He still continued this unique hobby and was able to nurture it further and improve it post coming in contact with IWA.
Shailendra Apte is a Mechanical Engineer and a Supply Chain Specialist by profession. He is very passionate about music and likes singing, but whistling is what he loves most. He feels very happy and relaxed when he whistles as it helps him forget all tensions and worries. He has been whistling since many years for himself and is now learning the art of presenting it for others to make them happy.
Abhijit Katake Management professional serving for a group in Singapore. He started Whistling from@ age of 15. He used to listen to Dad whistling Dev Anand;s Songs. The same passion continued further and got appreciated when he used to Whistle “Are re are ye kya hua” in his hostel lobby. After long time of whistling as hobby and even performing couple of songs in family functions he decided to reach greater heights in this hobby.
Dr. Vrinda. B. Nair is an ENT Surgeon from Kerala, currently practicing in Chennai. Her maternal uncle gave her the first lessons of whistling around the age of 7. Her interest in musical whistling was kindled watching another uncle of her’s who could whistle tunes. Ever since, with great devotion she has persevered and trained herself to whistle any piece of music that she heard. She claims to have received all kinds of reactions from people…some were awed, some annoyed! She even had some real trouble with hostel wardens! Her parents never discouraged her but didn’t take her seriously either, until she started college. While in med school, it was her bestie Dr.Ann, a good singer herself, who trained her to ‘listen’ to music and polished her skills and encouraged her to participate in their Intercollegiate whistling competitions. Her skill then slowly began to be acknowledged among family and friends. It was her husband who insisted that she join the IWA. She says, ‘Joining this fraternity, was like meeting fellow ‘mutants’ (lol) and it was a great feeling to acquaint with people who took the art so seriously and to know that there are sooo many too..!’
