Hirabai Barodekar | |
|---|---|
 Hirabai Barodekar, from a 1937 issue ofThe Indian Listener | |
| Background information | |
| Born | Champākali (1905-05-29)29 May 1905 |
| Died | 20 November 1989(1989-11-20) (aged 84) |
| Genres | Khyal,Thumri,Ghazal, andBhajan |
| Occupation | VocalHindustani Classical Music |
| Years active | 1920–1980 |
Hirābai Barodekar (1905–1989) was an IndianHindustāni classical music singer, ofKirana gharana. She was disciple ofUstād Abdul Wahid Khān.[2]
Hirabai was born as Champākali toKirānā Gharānā masterUstād Abdul Karim Khān and Tārābāi Māne. Tarabai was the daughter of Sardār Māruti Rāo Māne, a brother of princelyBarodā state's "Rajmātā" during the middle of the 19th century. Abdul Karim Khan was the court musician inBaroda when Tarabai was young, and he taught her music. The two fell in love and decided to get married; but Tarabai's parents disapproved of the alliance, and the couple had to leave the state (along with Abdul Karim's brother, Ustād Abdul Haq Khān). The couple moved toBombay (Mumbai), and had two sons: Suresh or Abdul Rehmān, and Krishnā; and three daughters: Champākali, Gulāb, and Sakinā or Chhotutāi. In their adult lives, the five respectively became known asSureshbābu Māne, Krishnarāo Māne, Hirābāi Badodekar (called Champu-tai by close friends), Kamalābāi Badodekar, andSarswatibāi Rāne.
She had her initial training from her brotherSureshbabu Mane and later training from the doyen of Kirana Gharana,Ustād Abdul Wahid Khān, who was a cousin of her father,Ustad Abdul Karim Khan. (In 1922, Hirabai's parents had parted company; thus Hirabai received only limited musical lessons from her father.)[citation needed]
She often performed along with her younger sister,Saraswati Rane.[3]
Hirabai appeared in her first public performance under patronage ofKesarbai Kerkar at the age of 15.[1]
She was an expert inKhyāl,Thumri,Marāthi Nātya Sangeet, andBhajan. She is credited with having popularisedHindustāni Classical Music among the masses. She was a pioneer of concerts by women artists in India. She was the first female artist to introduce ticketed concerts in India. Her rendition of 'Taar Sa' was very popular and became her hallmark. She madeKirana gharana more popular and rich.
Hirabai acted in several movies, including "Suvarna Mandir", "Pratibhā", "Janābāi", and "Municipality". She also started a music school, "Nutan Sangeet Vidyālaya", to teach music to girls. The school staged several plays.
Hirabai became a recording artist very early in her career. (Her 78 rpm recordings have been re-released on cassettes by RPG in their Classical Gold series). She was titled as "Gaanhira" (a singing diamond).
Hirabai's work in Hindustani music fetched her many prestigious accolades. She was awarded with theSangeet Nātak Akādemi Award in 1965[4] and thePadma Bhushan Award in 1970.[5] She was also awarded Vishnudas Bhave Award for her contribution to theater.[citation needed]
She was chosen to sing the national song,Vande Mataram, from theRed Fort in India's capitalDelhi on the day India received its independence from theBritish Raj (15 August 1947). She visited China and the East African countries as a part of an Indian delegation in 1953.[citation needed]
She was titled "Gaan kokila" (Nightingale of India) bySarojini Naidu.[citation needed] An annual music festival is held inMumbai by her disciplePrabha Atre by the nameSureshbabu – Hirabai Smruti Sangeet Samaroh since 1992, which has become one of the major festivals of music in the country.[6]
She was married to Manikrao Gandhi-Barodekar.[citation needed] Her grandson Nishikant Barodekar is a tabla player, a student ofZakir Hussain.[7]
Her prominent disciples includes:Saraswati Rane,Manik Varma, DrPrabha Atre, Malati Pande, Janaki Iyer, Shaila Pandit, Sulabha Thakar etc There were many women vocalists who were deeply influenced by Hirabai’s singing style and presentation skills.[8]
