Kumar Gandharva (1924 - 1992)

Kumar Gandharva who was known as Shivaputra Siddharamayya Komkalimath, was an Indian legendary classical singer, well known for his unique vocal style and for his refusal to be bound by the tradition of any gharana. Kumar Gandharva, as he was renamed by Adi Shankaracharya, was born on 1924 to a musically inclined family in Belgaum . At the age of eight, Kumar Gandharva ji was an astonishing prodigy who could replicate the voice and style of living and dead legends. Under the tutelage of renowned musicologist and educator BR Deodhar, he honed his incipient talent, turning into a fine, thinking musician who was determined to find his own path. Kumar Gandharva was a shining star at the Deodhar School of Music and was often appreciated by his guru. His method of learning, which was fast and effective, impressed one and all , at this time Professor Deodhar placed him under the able guidance  of none other than   Legendary Ustad Bade Ghulam Ali Khan . Since Kumar ji lost one his lungs at a very young age due to tuberculosis, Khan Saheb stated that he won't be able to do that vigorous riyaz which he had to undergo as a student.

Even before his graduation, Kumar was teaching other students in the absence of teachers. Such was his reputation as a brilliant student. In his early 20s, Kumarji was a rising star, popular both amongst the audience and his critics.  However, his fate took a turn and in his mid-twenties, he was stricken with tuberculosis. His doctors informed him that he would never sing again and advised to move to the drier climate of Dewas, Madhya Pradesh for his health. For the next six years, Kumarji endured a period of illness and silence. During this difficult phase, Kumar would spend time by listening to the songs of birds, the rumbling of wind and to the songs sung by roadside entertainers. Kumar Gandharva, however, had music in his destiny. He was to turn his weakness around and establish his unique singing style for which he is remembered as one of the stalwarts of Hindustani classical music. Kumar Gandharva was not one to blindly give in to traditional learnings . Since he lost his one lung, in his singing, he would show an unconventional way to make Hindustani music a personal and vivid experience.

Kumar Gandharv ji's first concert right after his recovery came in the year 1953. Because of his disability, he had to change the traditional method of singing and started experimenting with ragas. He refused to be tied down by any kind of gharana and believed in being innovative. While experimenting with the traditional Hindustani classical music, he gave life to many new ragas. Collectively, he called them ‘Dhun Ugam Raagas’. Many such ragas like Madhsurja, Ahimohini, Saheli Todi, Beehad Bairav, Lagan Gandhar, Sanjaari and Maalvati are now widely accepted and practiced by many aspiring musicians. Another important contribution of this great musician was the creation of series of concert programs. He would choose a theme and then arrange a set of ragas and folk songs in a precise order in accordance with the theme chosen. ‘Geet Varsha’, ‘Geet Hemant’ and ‘Ritu Raaj’ were some of the themes chosen by him.Kumar Gandharva gave much importance to his musical accompanists. He even considered the role of a Tampura player to be as important as the main vocalist for the concert to be successful. Vasant Acharekar, his friend and Tabla player, went on to take care of his activities.Listening to his exceptionally mellowed voice, Ustad Faiyaz Khan had gladly agreed to help the young Kumar pursue his dream. Numerous legends and stalwarts were also enamoured by this man's extraordinary rendition at such a young age. He was also a great musicologist. Voice culture was really Kumarji’s starting point to reinvent, in a manner of speaking, the presentation of a raga. In that era, post-1947, the raga elaboration followed a stately flow. The singer began with a very slow tempo, which could go on for 30-45 minutes and then a faster tempo that built towards a climax. Also, because of great vocalists such as Ustad Bade Ghulam Ali Khan, Ustad Amir Khan, Pandit Bhimsen Joshi and Pandit Abhisheki, male singers tended to start on a really low register (kharja).“Kumarji had an incredible ear. He could imitate whoever he listened to down to every pitch. And hence his wide Hearing." 

Kumar Gandharv ji was honoured with so many awards. He was awarded the Padma Bhushan in 1977 and India's second-highest civilian honour, the Padma Vibhushan in 1990.Some of Gandharva's musical philosophy is carried forward by his son Mukul Shivputra and daughter, Kalapini Komkali as well as by students such as Madhup Mudgal, Vijay Sardeshmukh, and Satyasheel Deshpande. The Kumar Gandharva Foundation (Mumbai), formed by his student Paramanand Yadav, promotes the development of Hindustani music and Carnatic music. Gandharva's grandson Bhuvanesh (Mukul's son) has also made a name for himself as a classical singer.His contribution to Indian music and hence to the lives of all those who knew or heard him, is difficult to encapsulate. Gandharva ji died on 12 January 1992, at his Dewas residence, Madhya Pradesh after a long history of lung infection ailment for decades.