Ulhas Kashalkar's father Nagesh Dattatreya Kashalkar, an advocate by profession, spent his early years in Satara district in Maharashtra. During this period he received training in music from Matange Bua of the Gwalior Gharana. He lived in Pune for a few years during which he was highly influenced by great maestros like Bal Gandharva, Hira bai Barodekar and Master Krishna Rao. Later he migrated to Vidharbh where he was admitted to the Bar. In the years that followed he grew tremendously as a musician, though mostly self-taught. He started a school of music affiliated to Gandharva Mahavidyalay where he taught several children. His own sons Arun, Ulhas and Vikas received their initiation into music in this school. He further wrote several books on music, such as Gandharva Shiksha, which research scholars and musicians today vouch for. Though not a performer he was a highly revered teacher and was a scholar par excellence. Later in life he completely devoted himself to teaching and writing books. His body of literary work included various topics like philosophy and yoga. He gave expression to his spiritual calling through books such as Bal Jnaneshwari, Patanjali Yoga Sutra and Santa Charitra.