Ratnakar Pandey
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| Ratnakar Pandey | |
| Born | 21 November 1960 (age 65) Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh, India |
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| Nationality | Indian |
| Education | B.E. (Civil), M.N.R. Engineering College, Prayagraj, M.Tech (Civil), IIT Delhi, M.Tech (Humanities), IIT Delhi |
| Occupation | Former Railway Officer, Stage Singer, Vocal Artist |
| Years active | 1985–2020 (Railways); 2022–present (Music) |
| Known for | Indian Railways Service, Live Stage Singing, Ghazals, Thumri, Hindi Songs |
| Notable works | Live Performances through Ghazal Singing, Starmaker Performances |
| Awards | Best Depot Award (Central Railway, 1994) Best Purchase Section Award (Western Railway Headquarters, Mumbai) General Manager's Annual Award (2002–03) at DLW, Varanasi Railway Board Cash Award (2018–19) |
| Parents | Shri Prahalad Pandey, Smt. Vindhyavasi Devi |
| Religion | Hinduism |
Ratnakar Pandey is an Indian stage singer, vocal artist and a former Officer of the Indian Railways. People usually mention his distinguished run in the Railways for his services in supply chain and logistics to run railway transport and network across India for the safe operation and maintenance of passenger and freight trains. From the very beginning, there had been a musical environment in his home, which nurtured his interest in music alongside his professional career. During his last posting in Kolkata, he started performing as a live stage singer at Railway Club events on different occasions. He began with playback songs and later developed an inclination towards ghazals, thumri, and well-known classical Hindi songs, which gradually became his signature style. After retiring from government service in 2020, he devoted himself more actively to music and now performs regularly at cultural events, public programmes, and private functions.
During his tenure as a senior officer in the Indian Railways, Ratnakar Pandey earned recognition for his leadership, organizational abilities, and commitment to professional excellence. In July 2019, while serving as the Principal Head of his Department in South Eastern Railway, Kolkata, he hosted the Eastern Region Review Meeting on Scrap Disposal under the directives of the Ministry of Railways, New Delhi. The meeting brought together senior officials and field officers from across the region, helping to strengthen their understanding of the Ministry’s mission, vision, objectives, and strategic goals. A special session on “Stress Management for Executives” was also organized to enhance motivation, morale, and workplace effectiveness.
Alongside his administrative responsibilities, Pandey actively promoted cultural engagement within the railway community. On the occasion of the review meeting, he organized a cultural evening for visiting dignitaries and their families at a prominent officers’ club in Kolkata. The event featured performances by in-house artists, including group dances, solo dances, classical vocal music, and instrumental renditions on the saxophone. Retired Principal Heads of the Department were honoured during the programme, which was widely appreciated for its cultural presentations, hospitality, and overall organization.
All crisis situations, emergencies arising out, in the Railway Organization within his service period were successfully managed by him in a focused manner within very reasonable timelines.
Early Life & Education
Ratnakar Pandey was born on 21 November 1960 in Varanasi district in 1st Division, Uttar Pradesh. He was academically strong, and he grabbed the first position in the town in 10th Board Exam. He completed his Intermediate Science (I.Sc.) from the Uttar Pradesh Board in 1978 and then he qualified for admission to multiple Regional Engineering Colleges .
He earned a Bachelor of Engineering Degree in Civil branch, from Motilal Nehru Regional Engineering College (MNREC), Prayagraj, (1978 to 1982). Later, he completed an M.Tech Degree in Civil Engineering from the Indian Institute of Technology, Delhi in 1984, followed by an M.Tech Degree in Humanities from IIT Delhi in 1985 .
Having gone into Gazal singing involving Urdu word , he took a Certificate in Urdu language learning through on line classes in 2025 , so that his grasp for Urdu literature and Ghazals becomes deeper , and more nuanced.
Father, Shri Prahalad Pandey expired 2010, was also a very religious and a devotee of Goddess Kaali. He had Urdu reading capability and was in government service.His Mother, Smt. Vindhyavasi Devi expired in 2005, and having Urdu reading capability her neighbours , all the time.
Career
Through UPSC Engg. Services Exam. , as a member of 1983 Batch of (IES) , Ratnakar Pandey entered Indian Railways .During his service he worked across different Zonal Railways (engaged in Train operations) , different Production units (engaged in production of Coaches and Locomotives required by Railways ), and Head quarter of Railway Electrification Projects (engaged in execution of Electrification Works over the Railway Track for movement of Electric Locomotives). His day to day duties involved supply Chain , procurement , warehousing , logistics by way of timely supply of all the materials required by the organization to support the services of safe and punctual operation of Train services over vast network of Indian Railways through supply chain of all materials required for proper maintenance of all assets and reuired for all other works like capacity addition.
He served in Central Railway , Western Railway , Eastern Railway , Northeast Frontier Railway , South Eastern Railway, Rail Coach Factory, Kapurthala, Diesel Locomotive Works, Varanasi, Chittaranjan Locomotive Works , and Railway Electrification Project's Head Office at Prayagraj. He got postings at Mumbai , New Delhi , Kapurthala ( Punjab) ,Varanasi , Chittaranjan ( W.B.) , Prayagraj, Kolkata and Guwahati.
He went through professional training at Railway Staff College, Vadodara, plus a specialized program on Strategic Management at Carnegie Mellon University, Pittsburgh, U.S.A. in 2018.
During his posting in Marketing Division in DLW ( now BLW – Banaras Locomotive Works ) , he visited a number of Non Railway Customers ( NRC) of Diesel Locomotives produced by DLW, at Thermal Power Plants of NTPC ( National Thermal Power Corporation ), Steel Plants, Port Trusts , Nuclear Power Corporation , to help them in solving their problems of Spares required for maintenance of fleet of Diesel Locomotives available at their end . He organized regular meetings with all Non Railway Customers at BLW to help them interact with BLW Team to solve their problems in regard to maintenance of their Diesel Locomotives. He also organized structured training Programme for Executives of Non Railway Customers in proper maintenance of their Diesel Locomotives.
He organized a number of Vendor Development Meetings with new Vendors and Manufacturers , aspiring to do manufacturing and supply business with Railways . The motive behind these Vendor Meets was to expand the Vendor base of Railways, through clarity, transparency and guidance and thus improve upon pricing and sourcing of materials. These meetings were held in Guwahati , Kolkata and Jamshedpur , with very good participation by Vendors and display of items required by Railways , with important information pertaining to respective item.
During his last posting in Kolkata, he started his stage performance of sonap in the club on different occasions like Independence Day, Republic Day Farewell Parties, Valentine Day etc. From 2022 onward he has been showing up for cultural programs, corporate events, Railway Officers club functions, and public festivals. Along with this, he is also a regular performer on the Starmaker platform.
Ratnakar Pandey has sung ghazals of several world-renowned artists and songs of many legendary singers. His repertoire includes songs of different moods such as romantic, sad, patriotic, nostalgic, devotional, and intoxicated themes, making his live performances enjoyable for a wide range of audiences.
He has a large collection of ghazals by Mehdi Hassan and Jagjit Singh, and songs by Mukesh and Kishore Kumar, apart from other legendary singers. He can perform dedicated programs of up to two hours featuring the works of these legendary artists along with compeering. He has also learnt the Punjabi language through programmed online classes conducted by experts, enabling him to better understand and present compositions of different artists. His musical interests further extend to Urdu literature and the works of renowned Shayars (poets) of the nineteenth century onwards.
Musical Repertoire
Urdu Ghazals
| Artist | Number of Ghazals | Selected Titles |
|---|---|---|
| Mehdi Hassan | 11 | Rafta Rafta Wo Meri, Main Khayal Hoon Kisi Aur Ka, Ranjish Hi Sahi, Gulon Mein Rang Bhare, Mujhe Tum Nazar Se Gira To Rahe Ho |
| Jagjit Singh | 9 | Jhuki Jhuki Si Nazar, Tum Itna Jo Muskura Rahe Ho, Hosh Walon Ko Khabar Kya, Koi Fariyaad, Kal Chaudahvin Ki Raat Thi |
| Noor Jehan | 3 | Mujhse Pehli Si Mohabbat, Neeyat-e-Shauq, Humari Saanson Mein Aaj Tak |
| Begum Akhtar | 3 | Ae Mohabbat Tere Anjaam Pe, Mere Humnafas Mere Humnawa, Wo Jo Hum Mein Tum Mein Qarar Tha |
| Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan | 1 | Saanson Ki Mala Pe |
| Talat Aziz | 1 | Zindagi Jab Bhi Teri Bazm Mein |
| Chandan Das | 1 | Saath Chhootega Kaise Mera Aapka |
Hindi Film Songs
| Singer | Number of Songs | Popular Songs |
|---|---|---|
| Mukesh | 29 | Kahin Door Jab Din Dhal Jaye, Dost Dost Na Raha, Jeena Yahan Marna Yahan, Main Pal Do Pal Ka Shayar Hoon, Ek Pyar Ka Nagma Hai |
| Kishore Kumar | 20 | Musafir Hoon Yaaron, Pal Pal Dil Ke Paas, Mere Mehboob Qayamat Hogi, Chukar Mere Man Ko, Rimjhim Gire Sawan |
| Mohammed Rafi | 5 | Raha Gardishon Mein Hardam, Naseeb Mein Jiske, Bhari Duniya Mein |
| K. L. Saigal | 3 | Babul Mora, Ae Qatib-e-Taqdeer, Gham Diye Mustaqil |
| Talat Mahmood | 3 | Meri Yaad Mein Tum, Jaayen To Jaayen Kahan, Zindagi Dene Wale Sun |
| Lata Mangeshkar | 2 | Lag Ja Gale, Jyoti Kalash Chhalke |
| Asha Bhosle | 2 | Ye Mera Dil, Dum Maro Dum |
| Mahendra Kapoor | 1 | Tere Pyar Ki Tamanna |
| Mohammed Aziz | 1 | Aaj Kal Yaad Kuchh Aur Rehta Nahin |
| Qabban Mirza | 1 | Aayi Zanjeer Ki Jhankaar |
| Shailendra Singh | 1 | Main Shayar To Nahin |
| Hemant Kumar | 1 | Ye Nayan Dare Dare |
| Udit Narayan | 1 | Mehndi Laga Ke Rakhna |
Bengali Songs
| Song Title | Original Singer |
|---|---|
| Aakaash Keno Daakey | Kishore Kumar |
| Aei Ki Holo | Kishore Kumar |
| Ei Raata Tomaar Aamaar | Hemant Kumar |
Punjabi Ghazal
| Song Title | Original Singer |
|---|---|
| Vigar Gayi Ae Tere Bina Tu | Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan |
Performance Formats
| Music Program Formats |
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Sham-e-Ghazal Formats
| Ghazal Program Formats |
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He has affinity to learn languages. During the academic and service period he developed conversational capability in Bengali, Marathi and Tamil. Last year in 2025 he developed capability to read and write in Urdu, a language of Adab, Nafaasat, Politeness and a language of palaces of Mughal Rulers.
Notable Works
Ratnakar Pandey is mostly known for his live performances of Ghazals, Thumri, and a many classic Hindi melodious and mesmerizing songs, you know the vibe. He has gone on stage at cultural events, corporate programs, New Year celebrations , railway officers' club events, and also the Amar Ujala Diwali Carnival. In his musical collection he has more than 29 ghazals and over 74 classic Hindi songs and family functions like , marriage anniversary of relatives.
Achievements and Recognition
Ratnakar Pandey had a solid career in Indian Railways, nearly about four decades, and in that span he helped Indian Railway through efficient supply chain and logistics in IT Sector for its operation of Passenger and Freight Trains , production of Rolling Stocks in Production Units, and Electrification Projects across India. As a singer, people often bring up his expressive delivery, his confident stage presence, and the way he holds audience engagement steady. He has showed up at many public as well as cultural moments. Over time, he built a name as a versatile vocalists , especially tuned to ghazals and classical‑influenced Hindi music nearly 36 years.
| Year | Award / Recognition | Organization |
|---|---|---|
| 1994 | Best Depot Award for overall management and outstanding efficiency performance of Parel Stores Depot, Central Railway Mumbai | Central Railway |
| Best Purchase Section Award for procurement and management of Diesel Loco Spares | Western Railway Headquarters Purchase Office | |
| 2002–03 | General Manager's Annual Award for achieving the highest sale of Diesel Locomotive Spares in domestic and export markets | Indian Railways |
| 2018–19 | Railway Board Cash Award for exceeding Scrap Sale Targets and plans for exemplary work in Financial Market | South Eastern Railway, Kolkata / Railway Board |
Personal Life
Ratnakar Pandey lives in Prayagraj city of Uttar Pradesh , with his wife and two sons. His wife , M.A (Ancient history) , B.Ed. is homemaker , having hobby in interior decoration , Vaastu , cooking , horticulture and kitchen gardening. She was Secretary of Officers Club in Mazhgaon Officers colony of Central Railway in Mumbai , where she organized Annual Ganpati festival , Cultural Programmes for families and children of Officers of that colony , through in house participations .She accompanied her husband in his two trips to U.S.A.
His elder son, B.E. ( Industrial and Production Engg. ) has his own multi dimensional business and is in plans for exemplary work in Portfolio Management in Financial Sector in near future . His younger son B.Tech.( Computer science ) had his own Start Up business in IT Sector and works in field of Artificial Intelligence , since 2017, with tenure in Bay Area of West Coast of U.S.A. ( Silicon Valley).
Ratnakar Pandey is into music , literature and travel , in a very consistent way . He keeps performing in Ghazals and songs on Starmaker Platform and Railway Officers Club in Prayagraj and other forums. He has interest in Urdu poetry and Ghazals , step by step , slowly and surely. He has traveled quite a lot both within India as Central Service thus having wide vision result of being in and abroad, including trips to the United States, and more.
He has plans to deliver his performance of curetted songs ofor different moods and Gazals to overseas audience in near future specially in Middle East and European countries, but he is not averse to go go to any part of the world, as the curated numbers. To ecomonize on total cost, he considered not to take musicians and their equipments from India, but to give performances with help of local musicians in overseas country in multiple events in a region in any trip , in coming future , to spread the beauty of Indian Music , world over .