Pandit Damodar Keshav Datar (14 October 1932 – 10 October 2018), popular asD. K. Datar, was an Indian violinist. He was born inKurundwad,Kolhapur district, Maharashtra. His brother Narayanrao introduced him to music and he took early lessons in violin from PanditVighneshwar Shastri, who used to teach at theDeodhar School of Indian Music, Mumbai. Datar completed his Bachelor's Degree but took music as full time profession. He was nephew of Hindustani classical vocalistD. V. Paluskar, under whom he later on studied music. Influenced by Paluskar, Datar adjusted his violin playing technique to vocal dominated style and played violin according to thekhyal style ofGwalior gharana. Apart fromkhyal, he popularly also played onbhajan,thumri andnatya sangeet styles. Among various countries, he toured Europe, the United States, Canada, and Japan. He was also employed byFilms Division of India and regularly provided background score for various documentary films. He receivedSangeet Natak Akademi Award in Hindustani Music in 1995 and in 2004 was conferred withPadma Shri, India's 4th highest civilian honour. he died on 10 October 2018 of old age at his residing home inGoregaon, Mumbai.[1][2][3][4]