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.

Vidushi Gangubai Hangal was born in 1913 to a family of hereditary courtesan musicians from Hangal, a small village near Dharwad in North Karnataka, India. Other than her mother Smt Ambabai, Gangubai owed her musical training to Shri Krishnacharya, Shri Dattopant Desai and most significantly, to Pandit Rambhau Kundgolkar, better known as Sawai Gandharva, to whom her mother took her for training. Thereafter she was justifiably the torch bearer of the Kirana gharana, the main architect of which was Ustad Abdul Karim Khan. Another strong influence on Gangubai`s music, though indirect, was the Agra gharana singer Zohrabai.

Gangubai`s stage debut took place in Mumbai, at the Bombay Music Circle, where she was heard by several eminent musicians. After her debut, Jaddan Bai (mother of film actress Nargis) convinced her to participate in a music conference in Calcutta, where she was awarded a gold medal by the Maharaja of Tripura. In 1924, on the opening day of the Indian National Congress session in Belgaum, Gangubai sang the National Anthem when she was only 11 years old. In 1928 her family shifted to Hubli where she lived ever since.

In her long and distinguished career spanning nearly 80 years, Gangubai Hangal retained a pre-eminent position amongst the most outstanding vocalists of Hindustani classical music. A recipient of more than 50 awards, including the Padma Vibhushan, the Padma Bhushan and the Central Sangeet Natak Akademi Award, four honorary doctoral degrees and 24 titles, Ms. Hangal had the rare honour of being felicitated by nine Prime Ministers and five Presidents. Karnataka University awarded her an honorary doctorate degree. She was also nominated by the Government of Karnataka to the Legislative Assembly in recognition of her service to music. She created history by giving a public concert at the age of 94. .