PanditBasavraj Rajguru (24 August 1920 – 21 July 1991) was a leadingIndian classical vocalist in theKirana gharana (singing style).
Basavraj was born into a family of scholars, astrologers and musicians inYaliwal, a village in the north Karnataka district ofDharwad, a great centre of classical music. He was initiated into classical music at an early age by his father, who was himself a renownedCarnatic musician trained inTanjavur.
Basavaraj was fond of music from a very young age. He would try to persuade drama producers and actors to let him sing in their plays, and first became known while singing for Vamanrao Master’s traveling drama company. When he was 13 years old, he lost his father. His uncle became concerned about his future in drama. Around this time Panchakshari Gawai discovered Basavraj and took him into his tutelage.
In 1936 at the 600th anniversary of theVijayanagara Empire inHampi, Basavraj gave his first concert with his guru Gawai.
After the passing away of Gawai in 1944, Basavraj moved toBombay and had the chance to learn from the Kirana musician and teacherSawai Gandharva. But Sawai Gandharva was suffering from paralysis and had to leave Bombay, so he toldSureshbabu Mane, another Kirana musician, to teach Basavraj. After learning from him, Rajaguru's quest took him to the North West of Pakistan, where he learned from Waheed Khan, Gawai’s guru. In Karachi he learnt from Latif Khan for six months.
Basavraj's repertoire ranged from the pure classical,Khyal, toVachanas,Natyageet,Thumri, andGhazal (different styles of Indian music) spanning eight languages.
The Government of India awarded him thePadma Shri in 1975 and thePadma Bhushan in 1991.[1]
He also receivedSangeet Natak Akademi awards from central and state governments. He was also awarded an honorary doctorate by the Karnataka University, Dharwad.
Basavraj died in July 1991, one of three illustrious Dharwad musicians to do so during this period (Kumar Gandharva died in January 1992 andMallikarjun Mansur in September 1992).
The first Pt. Basavaraj Rajguru Memorial National Award was conferred on vocalist Pt. Ullas Kashalkar of Kolkata on 23 August 2011 during the 91st birth anniversary of Pandit Basavaraj Rajguru.
The national award carries a cash prize of Rs. 100,000 and a citation. On the occasion two young musicians Jayateerth Mevundi and Sangeeta Katti were conferred the Pt. Basavaraj Rajguru Memorial Yuva Puraskars which carry a cash prize of Rs. 25,000 each and a citation.