While studying Indian Classical music as a boy in Ujjain, Uday longed to be a classical singer and at last, his dream began to unfold when he was selected at 15 to study at the Dhrupad Kendra in Bhopal. By the age of 18, he had begun to realise the depths and potential of this style of music and since that time, he has devoted himself to the development of the Dhrupad style – it has become his career and his life's purpose.

Uday then lived and studied Dhrupad for 12 years in the residences of his Gurus, Ustad Zia Fariduddin Dagar and the Rudra-Veena Maestro Ustad Zia Mohiuddin Dagar in Bhopal and Mumbai. His long training with his Gurus in the rigorous practice of Dhrupad helped Uday to appreciate the subtle nuances and majesty of this music.

He has been awarded by National Scholarship, Junior Fellowship from the Government of India. In 1987, after hearing Uday for first time, Ustad Nasir Aminuddin Dagar presented a Gold-Medal.In 2001, Chief Minister Of Madhya Pradesh honored him by received “Rashtriya Kumar Gandhrva Samman”

In 1985 he gave his first performance at Bhopal, and since then he has performed at many prominent music festivals in India and abroad. He has been blessed by Ustad Zakir Hussain who accompanied Uday on the Pakhawaj at Prithvi Music Festival Mumbai.

He has been performing for Spic Macay for last 16 years for their festivals, Lec-Dem, Virasat and National conventions. In 1990, Uday Bhawalkar's international career began and subsequently, he has presented many solo concerts in Europe, USA, Canada and Mexico. He has performed in world music festivals in Europe including England (WOMAD) and Belgium (SFINKS). Uday has collaborated with artists from other disciplines and cultures including the contemporary dancer Astad Deboo, Ensemble Moderne in Germany and professional musicians from Spain and USA. Universities in Europe and USA have hosted his workshops. Additionally, he has contributed to the soundtracks of International Art films including Mani Kaul's Cloud Door, Arun Khopkar's "Rasik Priya-Lok Priya" Aparna Sen's Mr & Mrs Iyer and Amol Palekar's Anahat.

Several recordings of Uday Bhawalkar's Dhrupad performances are available on CD in India and abroad.