Gangubai Hangal passes away...

The first time I heard Gangubai Hangal on the radio, I thought it was a male singer. When the compere announced after the recital that it was Gangubai Hangal, I learned that it was ms. Gangubai Hangal, of Kirana, from Dharwad, Bhimsen-ji's guru-bhagini, etc. I was amazed. Much later I heard her again on a cd, singing Poorya kallyan with her daughter Krishna. It was a treat.

Gangubai's singing struck me as austere. You knew from her gamaks and taans that she was fully in control over her technique and tone and time and pace, but she kept her raga simple. I thought that most embellishment was Krishna's* doing, but bai kept things to their pure basics. Similar was the case with Pt. Mallikarjun Mansoor; while he kept his singing to a bare minimum, his son Rajashekhar freaked out!

Gangubai Hangal. Well! Ninty Seven years of high degree of application. Senator of Karnatak Univ., Padmabhushan, Padma vibhushan, too! And 24 other honorary titles, - Doctorates from more than two universities...She was decorated by five presidents! Gangubai Hangal was that grand, yet she was a low profile celebrity. I admired her.

* Krishna Hangal, Gangubai's daughter and disciple, passed away not so long ago.

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