Kumar Gandharva biography | |
Name | Kumar Gandharva |
Birth Name | Shivaputra Siddaramayya Komkalimath |
Known for | Hindustani classical music |
Personal Life | |
Important dates | Birthday: 8th April, 1924 Death: 12 January, 1992 |
Important places | Birthplace: Sulebhavi, Belgaum District, Karnataka, India
Place of death: Dewas, India |
Nationality | Indian |
Educational qualifications | |
Family | Father: Mother: Siblings: Spouse: Bhanumati Kans, Vasundhara Shrikhande Children: Kalapini Komkali, Mukul Shivputra |
Professional life | |
Teacher | B. R. Deodhar, |
Life | Kumar Gandharva had already started showing signs of his musical genius by the age of five. He had also started appearing on the stage when he was only 10 years old. At the age of 11, his father sent him to get music education under the well-known teacher Shri B. R. Deodhar. Within a few years, Kumar Gandharva was seen as a star of music and was praised a lot by his critics also.
He got married to Bhanumati Kans who was another teacher at Shri Deodhar’s school, in April 1947. Post this he moved to Dewas in Madhya Pradesh. Soon after moving he was attacked by tuberculosis. The doctors told him that he would never be able to sing again. Kumar Gandharva endured a long period of illness and silence for 6 years. Gradually, through care and affection of his wife who nursed him through illness, he was able to get well by 1953. However, his voice and his singing style was always affected with the scars of his illness. The illness forced him to change his style of singing also where he became known for his powerful short phrases and very high voice. Kumar Gandharva is remembered for his legacy of innovation and questioning traditions without rejecting them completely. This actually led to a new sound which was still in touch with the roots of Indian culture, with special significance to the folk music of Madhya Pradesh. His innovative approach for music led to creation of several new ragas with a combination of older ragas. Kumar Gandharva was a musicologist also as he used to spend time on contemplating various aspects of music during his illness. |
Achievements and Awards |
Padma Vibhushan
Padma Bhushan in 1977 |
Lesser Known Facts | |
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