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Pandit Bhimsen Joshi son of a school master from Gadag, a taluka town in Dharwad district of Karnataka was born in a Brahmin family on 14 th February 1922. Panditji got training from several gurus in Gwalior, Lucknow, Jalandhar and Rampur. His association with Sawai Gandharva also known as Pandit Rambhan Kundgolkar was a turning point in his musical career. |
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He is the finest vocalist today, his classical performances need to be seen as well as heard, his gestures and expressions add grace to his performance. He takes the listener on a trip which passes through a landscape rich in feelings. He presents his music where the listener finds the raga conquer him from all sides. |
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| Panditji's grandfather, Bhimacharya, was a well-known kirtankar. Father Gururaj was a scholar, while Panditji's uncle Govindacharya was a writer and publisher. |
Sawai Gandharva taught him the essentials of Khayal-Gayaki. He is the finest vocalist today, according to him rigorous Riyaaz and a bit of luck can contribute in making a good singer. |
Young Panditji used to get engrossed in ever thing that struck his ears, may it be a song heard in the temple or a Bhajan sung by his mother while kneading the flour. |
He a down-to-earth man, according to him a stern teacher and rigorous Riyaaz and a bit of luck can contribute in making a good singer. Panditji has been performing in public since he was 19. Panditji's first public performance was in Pune in January 1946 on the occasion of the 60 th birthday of his guru Sawai Gandharva. In the year 1944 Panditji recorded two Hindi and two Kannada Bhajans for H. M. V., this was his first recording.
In search of a guru who could get him to the particulars of Khayal-Gayaki, Panditji went on to distant places varying from Bijapur, Pune to Gwalior. Finally Panditji admitted himself in Madhav Sangit Vidyalay in Gwalior.
For about 4 years Panditji stayed with Sawai Gandharva at Kundgol . Bhimsen's natural tuneful voice received further polish from his teacher. Sawai Gandharva taught him the essentials of khayal-gayaki. Rigorous practice was followed by hours of household tasks, while fetching water from a faraway well, Panditji perfected the configuration of Raag Todi. Panditji learnt the basics of Raag Maarwa and Raag Puriyaa from Ustad Hafiz Ali Khan.
Rivals admit, there is no other vocalist today in the entire nation who can be compared with Panditji. Panditji's voice, inimitable style, the immense power, unbelievably flexible voice and majesty of his performances put him far ahead of his rivals.
Panditji has been honored by Sangeet Natak Acadami Award(1975), the Mysore Sangeet Natak Academy Award, Padma Bhushan(1975) and the Padmashree(1972) award by the Government of India.
