Kumar Gandharva
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Kumar Gandharva (Shivaputra Siddramayya Komkali) (April 8, 1924 in Sulebhavi, near Belgaum in N Karnataka – January 12, 1992 in Devas, MP) was a famous Hindustani classical singer, famous for his unique vocal style, refusal to be bound by the tradition of any gharana, and his innovative genius. The name "Kumar Gandharva" is a title given to him when he was a child prodigy; a Gandharva is a god of music in Hindu mythology.
[edit] Life
His birth name was Shivaputra Siddramayya Kamkali. He was born in Sulebhavi near Dharwad (Karnataka, India) to a Kannadiga family. After blazing a trail as a child prodigy in 1930s and securing his talent with solid foundation provided during tutelage under Prof B R Deodhar in 1930s and 1940s, he married Bhanumati Kans in April 1947 and moved to Dewas. Soon after his move to Madhya Pradesh, he was stricken with tuberculosis in his 20s, and some sources claim he was left with only one functioning lung but this claim is disputed. Bhanumati Kans, who was learning music first under Deodhar and later under Kumar Gandharva himself, nursed him through his illness. His first mehfil after recovery from illness took place in 1953. The illness greatly affected Kumar's singing in later years – he was to be known for powerful short phrases and his very high voice. He may not have reached the same heights of popularity as contemporaries like Bhimsen Joshi, but he always enjoyed the love and support of dedicated and connoisseur enthusiasts. His singing was also true to the Indian Classical Music tradition of dialogue with the listeners, of impromptu creation and interactivity.
Kumarji also experimented with other forms of singing such as Nirguni Bhajans (Devotional songs), folk songs, and with both ragas and presentation, often going from fast to slow compositions in the same raga, something rarely done by any other North Indian musician. One of the most inventive singers in recent years, he is remembered for his great legacy of innovation, questioning tradition without rejecting it wholesale, resulting in music in touch with the roots of Indian culture.
Some information gathered from internet archives : His style of singing attracted considerable controversy from novices as well as initiates. Veteran singer Mogubai Kurdikar did not consider his vilambit (slow tempo) singing interesting and his own teacher Deodhar criticised some aspects of Kumar's singing but their relationship was strained from 1940s when Kumar Gandharva married Bhanumati. According to Pandharinath Kolhapure's book on Kumar Gandharva, Deodhar was against the match. But the criticism mostly centred around his vilambit gayaki. His singing in faster tempos, particularly his mastery over madhya-laya, was very widely revered. He is remembered as an utterly original singer and an incredibly innovative composer.
Kumar Gandharva's first son, Mukul Shivaputra Komkali, was born around 1955. After Bhanumati's death in 1961 during childbirth, Kumar married Vasundhara Shrikhande, another of his fellow-students at Deodhar School. Vasundharabai formed a memorable duo with him in Bhajan singing. She also provided vocal support to his classical renditions quite often. Their daughter Kalapini Komkali would later accompany both her parents on tanpura.
Some of Kumar Gandharva's ideology is carried forward by his son and daughter, as well as students such as Satyasheel Deshpande.
He was awarded Padma Vibhushan award in 1990.
