The final journey of a legend
Padmanabha Venugopal
First Published : 25 Jan 2011 03:09:50 AM IST
Last Updated : 25 Jan 2011 11:26:06 AM IST
PUNE: Notes of ‘Mile sur mera tumhara’, the opening lines of a famous national-integration song that made Pandit Bhimsen Joshi an endearing figure for people at large, reverberated in the air as the epoch-defining Hindustani musician’s last journey began from residence Kalashree in Navi Peth area here to the crematorium on Monday.
Earlier, as the news of his death poured in, people made a beeline to his residence to pay last respects to the departed titan.
Pandit Joshi had been put on ventilator since January 17 after he was admitted to the ICU of a super-speciality hospital with kidney and respiratory complications.
Joshi had been the most celebrated exponent of the Kirana gharana of Hindustan Khayal music, though, soon into his career, his powerful voice, amazing breath control and sharp sensibility made his concerts sound a school of his own.
Born on February 4, 1922 at Gadag in Dharwad district of Karnataka, Pandit Joshi was a prominent disciple of Pandit Sawai Gandharva - and launched his music career in Pune.
Besides hardcore classical, he show tremendous flair for singing Sant Vani recitals modelled on the lines of Marathi Bhakti Sangeet. He also lent is voice as a Dhrupad singer for a Bengali film based on the life of classical composer Tansen. He also sang as a playback singer for Marathi film Gulacha Ganapati.
The Bharat Ratna was bestowed on him in 2008. He was also honoured with the Padma Shri, Sangeet Natak Akademi Award, Padma Bhushan and Madhya Pradesh Government’s Tansen Samman.
His elder son Jayant Joshi is a painter where as younger son Shrinivas Joshi is an accomplished Hindustani vocalist and composer.
Joshi launched Sawai Gandharva Music Festival at Pune decades ago as an homage to Pandit Sawai Gandharva.
This fete being held every year on the second weekend of December attracts Hindustani music lovers from all over the world.
Topics:
Pandit Bhimsen Joshi
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