Gangubai Hangal | |
|---|---|
 Gangubai with her daughter Krishna | |
| Background information | |
| Born | (1913-03-05)5 March 1913[1][2] |
| Origin | Dharwad, Karnataka,India[2] |
| Died | 21 July 2009(2009-07-21) (aged 96) |
| Genres | Hindustani classical music |
| Occupation | singer |
| Years active | 1913–2009[5] |
Gangubai Hangal (05 March 1913 – 21 July 2009) was an Indian singer of thekhayal genre ofHindustani classical music fromKarnataka, who was known for her deep and powerful voice.[6] Hangal belonged to theKirana gharana.[7]
She was awarded thePadma Vibhushan, India's second highest civilian honour in 2002 andSangeet Natak Akademi Fellowship, the highest award ofSangeet Natak Akademi, India's National Academy for Music and Performing Arts in 1996.
Gangubai Hangal was born inDharwad to Chikkurao Nadiger, an agriculturist[1] and Ambabai, a vocalist ofCarnatic music.[8] Hangal received only elementary education[5] and her family shifted toHubli in 1928 so that Gangubai could study Hindustani music.[1][9][10] She began to train formally aged 13 with Krishnacharya Hulgur, a kinnari (stringed instrument like a veena)player, studyingHindustani classical music.[11] From Hulgur, Gangubai learned sixty compositions in one year before he stopped teaching her after an argument about his fees. She also learned from Dattopant Desai before studying underSawai Gandharva, a respected guru.[12][13] Hangal could only study sporadically under Gandharva when he returned to his home, but she received an intensive training of three years after he relocated permanently to Hubli.[11]
Hangal's mother's family was considered to be of low social status and for women of her generation singing was not considered appropriate employment; Hangal struggled against this prejudice and made a career.[12] She performed all over India and forAll India Radio stations until 1945.[11] Hangal had initially performed light classical genres, includingbhajan andthumri, but concentrated onkhyal.[11]
Later, however, she refused to sing light classical, saying she sang only ragas.[14] Hangal served as honorary music professor of theKarnataka University.[5] She gave her last concert in March 2006 to mark her 75th career year.[5] Krishna Hangal, her daughter, would often provide her vocal support in concerts.[5]
Hangal married at age 16 to Gururao Kaulgi, aBrahmin lawyer.[15] They had two sons, Narayan Rao and Babu Rao,[16] and one daughter, Krishna, who died from cancer in 2004, aged 75.[17] Krishna-bai Hangal, who predeceased her more famous mother, was herself a performing musician who presented concerts. Gangubai Hangal had overcome bone marrow cancer in 2003, and died of cardiac arrest at the age of 96, on 21 July 2009, inHubli, where she resided.[5] She had her eyes donated to increase awareness fororgan donation.[5]
Gangubai died on July 21 in 2009. TheKarnataka state government declared two days of mourning for Hangal.[18] A state funeral was announced for 22 July in Hubli by the district commissioner of theDharwad district.[5]
Gangubai Hangal received a number of awards, which include:
In 2008, The State Government of Karnataka decided to name the proposed Karnataka State Music University, Mysore after Gangubhai Hangal. Subsequently, theKarnataka State Dr. Gangubai Hangal Music and Performing Arts University Act, 2009 has been passed by the State Legislature. Presently theKarnataka State Dr. Gangubhai Hangal Music and Performing Arts University operates from Mysore, Karnataka.[22]
Gangothri — the birthplace of Gangubai Hangal — has been converted into a museum by the Government of Karnataka.
Dr Gangubai Hangal Gurukul in Hubli trains artists in traditional Guru-Shishya parampara to become performing artists.
In September 2014, a postage stamp featuring Hangal was released byIndia Post commemorating her contributions to Hindustani music.[23]
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