Happy Birth Day to the Great Classical Singer

The Singing Sensation – Gangubai Hangal

Vidushi Gangubai Hangal passes away: (1913 - 2009)

The doyenne of the Kirana gharana, Gangubai Hangal, who mesmerized audiences with her melodious voice for over seven decades, died at a hospital in Hubli on July 21st 2009. The frail 97 yr old was suffering from severe chest congestion and anemia.

Despite being diagnosed with bone cancer in 2002, it was her "never say die spirit" which made Gangubai battle the disease for three years and survive. On December 15, 2005 Gangubai, affectionately known as "Baiji" among the music fraternity, gave her first concert to a select audience after recovering from cancer and had been performing since then. Undeterred by her failing health, the renowned musician was still teaching music to her disciples who came from as far as Mumbai and Sangli in Maharashtra. Gangubai is survived by her two sons Narayan Rao and Babu Rao. Her daughter Krishna Hangal, who was trained by her in music passed away in 2004, causing Gangubai great sadness in her old age.

Pandit Kumar Gandharva

Pandit Kumar Gandharva

Pt. Kumar Gandharva was born on 8th April,1924 in Sulebhavi near Belgaum ( Karnataka) to a Kannadiga family. He studied music under Prof B R Deodhar and Ms. Anjanibai Mhalpekar, two eminent musicians of his time.

Kumar Gandharva or Shivaputra Siddharamayya Komkalimath (Kannada: ಶಿವಪುತ್ರಪ್ಪ ಸಿದ್ಧರಾಮಯ್ಯ ಕಂಕಾಳಿಮಠ) (8 April 1924 - 12 January 1992) was aHindustani classical singer, well known for his unique vocal style and his refusal to be bound by the tradition of any gharana. The name Kumar Gandharva is a title given to him when he was a child prodigy; a Gandharva is a musical spirit in Hindu mythology.

Pandit Mallikarjun Mansur

Pandit Mallikarjun Mansoor

Mansur’s music represented a confluence of three influential musical traditions. In childhood, he was trained in Carnatic music. In his youth, he studied under one of the stalwarts of the Gwalior tradition. And, finally, he migrated to the Jaipur-Atrauli gharana, to achieve great success and distinction as an exponent of its unique style.

He did not have either an authoritative voice, or an imposing stage personality. He was a picture of simplicity, and humility, totally focused on his music. A man of deep spirituality, and spartan lifestyle, he made his impact by the mastery of his art, and seriousness of purpose. He had spent so large a part of his life as a virtual nobody that, when he finally became somebody, it no longer mattered to him.

About Pandit Puttaraj Gawai

Pandit Puttaraj Gawai

Description

Pandit Puttaraj Gawai (ಪುಟ್ಟರಾಜ ಗವಾಯಿ) was born into a poor kannada Lingayat 

family in Devara Hospete in Hangal taluk of Haveri district of Karnataka. His parents were Revaiah Venkatapurmath and Siddamma. He lost his eyesight at a very early age.He lost his father when he was 10 months old. His maternal uncle Chandrashekharaiah took him under his wings and raised him.

Bharata Ratna Pandit Bhimsen Joshi

 

Born On: February 14, 1922 

Died On: January 24, 2011

Achievement: Enriched the Kirana gharana by adding his own distinctive style and adapting characteristics from other gharanas; Improvised and combined ragas to create new ragas; Recipient of Bharat Ratna, Padma Shri, Sangeet Natak Akademi Award, Padma Bhushan, and Padma Vibhushan.

Pandit Bhimsen Joshi was the numero uno amongst Hindustani classical vocalists. He was considered as the leading light of the Kirana gharana. Bhimsen Joshi is renowned for his unique style and mastery over ragas.

The Singing Sensation – Gangubai Hangal

Gangubai Hangal, a famous Hindustani Singer from Karnataka who sang under the Khyal genre, was known for her mellifluous but deep voice.

Her Early Life and Learning

gangubai-hangalGangubai Hangal was born on 5th March 1913 to Ambabai (a Carnatic vocalist) and Chikkurao Nadiger (an agriculturist) in Dharwad. Gangubai completed her elementary education from a local school and migrated to Hubli with her family in 1928.