Jitendra Abhisheki | |
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| Background information | |
| Born | Ganesh Balawant Nawathe[1] (1929-09-21)21 September 1929[2] |
| Died | 7 November 1998(1998-11-07) (aged 69) Pune, Maharashtra, India |
| Genres | Classical, semi-classical, devotional, musical theatre |
| Occupation(s) | Singer, composer, music teacher |
| Years active | 1929–1998 |
| Website | jitendraabhisheki |
Ganesh Balawant Nawathe (21 September 1929 – 7 November 1998), better known asPanditJitendra Abhisheki, was an Indianvocalist, composer and scholar ofIndian classical, semi-classical, anddevotional music. While he distinguished himself inHindustani music, he is also credited for the revival of theMarathi musical theatre in the 1960s. Abhisheki has been praised as being among the stalwarts of Hindustani classical music who mastered other musical forms such as thumri, tappa, bhajan, and bhavgeet. His work in Marathi natyasangeet is well-known.[3]
An annual Pandit Jitendra Abhisheki Mahotsav is held, and the last was held in mid-October 2018 at the Yashwantrao Chavan Natyagruha in Kothrud, Maharashtra.[3] In Goa, a Pandit Jitendra Abhisheki Music Festival held at the localKala Academy also reached its 14th edition in 2018.[4]
Jitendra was born in priestlyPadyeKarhade Brahmin family[5] inMangeshi,Goa. His family was traditionally attached to theMangeshi Temple ofShiva. His father, Balawantrao aka Bikambhat, was a half-brother ofDeenanath Mangeshkar and the temple priest and aKirtankar (performer of Kirtana, a devotional music style). Balawantrao taught Jitendra the basic principles ofHindustani classical music. Jitendra received further training in vocal music from Jagannathbua Purohit ofAgra Gharana, Azmat Hussain Khan ofKhurja Gharana, and Gullubhai Jasdanwala ofJaipur Gharana. Abhisheki was also well known for his renditions of hisMarathiNatya Sangeet compositions like "Guntatá Hrdáya Hai", "He Suránno Chandra Vhá" and other songs/Marathighazals such as "Májhe Jívana Gáne", "Kaivalyáchya", "Sarvátmaka sarveshvara", "Kátá rute kunálá" etc.[citation needed]
After receiving a degree in Sanskrit literature, he joinedAll India Radio (AIR) atMumbai for a brief period, when he came in contact with several musicians and also got an opportunity to display his musical talents by composing several pieces for radio programs. Around this time, he received a scholarship from the Indian Government for advanced training inHindustani classical music underAzmat Hussain Khan.
He composed the padas (songs performed live during play) for theKatyar Kaljat Ghusali play.[6] His music for plays like "Lekurachi Hoshiyari" and "Matsyagandha" became very popular. He also made music for movies like "Jait Re Jait" (1977) and "Umbartha" (1981).[7]
He composed vocal as well as background scores for 25 Marathi plays. After receiving aHomi Bhabha fellowship for 1969-1971,[8] he taught at a music school run in the USA by sitaristRavi Shankar. He maintained his ties to his homeland of Goa through his association with the Kala Academy, counselling and guiding students from that state.
Abhisheki died on November 7, 1998, in Pune, after a prolonged illness related to diabetes that he was previously hospitalized for.[9]
The Pt. Jitendra Abhisheki Sangeet Mahotsav is held annually in Goa.[10]
Besides sonShounak Abhisheki, Abhisheki's well-known musical disciples includeAsha Khadilkar,Devaki Pandit,Shubha Mudgal,Mahesh Kale, Mohankumar Darekar, Hemant Pendse,Ajit Kadkade,Raja Kale,Prabhakar Karekar,Vijay Koparkar,Sameer Dublay, Dr. Hrishikesh Majumdar and Dr Mrs Madhuri Joshi, Pt. Sudhakar Deoley ujjain
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