Basavaraj Rajguru
Encyclopedia
Pandit Basavraj Rajguru (Kannada: ಬಸವರಾಜ್ ರಾಜಗುರು)(August 24, 1917–1991) was born at Yaliwal
, a village in the north Karnataka district of Dharwad
, a great centre of Hindustani classical music
. He was a leading Hindustani vocal musician in the Kirana gharana (tradition). Due perhaps to his aversion for publicity and his simple and scholarly lifestyle, he never achieved the level of fame of his contemporaries Bhimsen Joshi
and Gangubai Hangal
of the same gharana. He received many awards, including the Padma Bhushan
.
ian trained in Tanjavur. Later he travelled widely in search of musical knowledge to which he dedicated his entire life. He chose to live a quiet life away from glamour and its attendant trappings. He excelled both as performer and teacher.
state.
Basavaraj was fond of music from a very young age. He would try to persuade drama producers and actors to let him sing in their plays, and first became known while singing for Vamanrao Master’s traveling drama company. When he was 13 years old, he lost his father. His uncle became concerned about his future in drama. By a fortuitous stroke of fate, the blind Ganayogi Panchakshari Gawai discovered Basavraj and with little convincing from the MaTh’s swamiji (head priest of the temple organisation), took the lad into his tutelage. Since then his music embraced a whole new beginning.
Panchakshari Gawai gave all his musical knowledge to Basavraj and other students who were not in a position to pay gurudakshina
(fees paid to a teacher, not literally a sum of money but rather a composite of materials, favours and devotion) to their guru. He mastered several Ragas and styles. He also became adept at some other arts like wrestling, swimming and cooking. His teacher would personally make sure that each of his students practiced for at least 12 to 15 hours a day. When Basavraj graduated he asked his guru what he wanted as gurudakshina, and his guru replied that this would consist of Basavraj passing on what he had learnt from his guru to his own disciples. In 1936 at the 600th anniversary of the Vijayanagar
Empire in Hampi
, Basavraj gave his first concert with his guru Gawai. Fifteen thousand people listened silently to the young musician singing Bageshri and the vachana Nijaguna Shivayogi
.
After the passing away of Panchakshari Gawai in 1944, Basavraj moved to Bombay and had the chance to learn from the legendary Kirana musician and teacher Sawai Gandharva
. But Sawai Gandharva was suffering from paralysis and had to leave Bombay, so he told Sureshbabu Mane
, another great Kirana musician and Guru of Dr. Prabha Atre, to take good care of Basavraj. After learning from him, Rajaguru's quest took him to the North West of Pakistan, where he learned from Ustad Waheed khan, Gawai’s guru. In Karachi he learnt from Ustad Latif Khan for six months. He was not afraid to accept any challenge. Once he had to sing after Ustad Nishad Khan and he went up to the stage confidently and Ustad Nishad Khan had to accept his defeat from Basavraj. On another occasion it is reported that Chhote Ghulam sang Raga Todi so well that nobody dared to defeat him, but the young Basavraj did.
During the partition of India and Pakistan in 1947, Ustad Latif Khan advised him to take a train carrying thousands of Hindus across the border. The train was stopped and attacked on the border but Basavraj managed to escape by clinging to the bottom of the carriage all the way from the border to Delhi.
His fame had spread far and wide and continued to spread; concert invitations came from every corner of the country. His repertoire ranged from the pure classical, Dhrupad
to Vachanas, Natyageet, Thumri
, and Ghazal
(different styles of Indian music) spanning eight languages. He knew more than forty types of raga and he would sing them one after another right then and there. After his concert in Delhi (1995) information minister, B.V. Keskar announced, “Arre, hamare Rajguru to hukumi yekka hai!” (meaning "Our Rajguru is the Ace of trumps"). At another concert Begum Akhtar, declared, “Rajguru yane sur ka badshah.” or "Rajguru signifies the king of music". The Government of India bestowed upon him the Padma Shri in 1975 and the Padma Bhushan in 1991. He also received Sangeet Natak Akademi
awards from central and state governments. He was also awarded with prestigious titles by various organizations and an honorary doctorate by the Karnataka University, Dharwad.
Besides being an accomplished and talented singer, Rajaguru was patient and caring towards his students. He would never get tired of repeating taans (improvisatory phrases) for his students; he would never get angry. He would always tell his students that no matter how great they were, if they couldn't pass on what they had acquired to somebody else, the greatness would be worthless. He was a strict vegetarian and never even tasted tea in his life. He had a very strict regimen of Puja (worship), sadhna (spirituality), teaching and walking. His diet was oriented towards preserving his voice and he never ate or drank anything fried, frozen or fatty.
His dream of coming to U.S. eluded him. He had planned a concert tour in the U.S. in the fall of 1991, and he got a performer’s visa, but on his way back to Dharwad he had a minor heart attack and was admitted to a hospital in Bangalore. His disciple, Nachiketa Sharma
was beside him when he breathed his last. He told Nachiketa to pick the Tambura (violin type of instrument) and sing the SA (the first letter of Indian music) for him, and declared it was time for him to leave this world.
died in January 1992 and Mallikarjun Mansur
in September 1992).
After his death, his wife and Nachiketa Sharma
carried his dead body on July 21, 1991 to Dharwad, where their taxi was greeted by the whole city. Pt. Mallikarjun Mansur
paying his last respects to Rajaguru declared, “Even in his death he looks like a king!”
The national award carries a cash prize of Rs. 1 lakh and a citation. On the occasion two young musicians Jayateerth Mevundi and Sangeet Katti were conferred the Pt. Basavaraj Rajguru Memorial Yuva Puraskars which carry a cash prize of Rs. 25,000 each and a citation.
Yaliwal
Yaliwal is a village in the southern state of Karnataka, India. It is located in the Kundgol taluk of Dharwad district in Karnataka.-Demographics:As of 2001 India census, Yaliwal had a population of 5072 with 2619 males and 2453 females....
, a village in the north Karnataka district of Dharwad
Dharwad
Dharwad, also known as Dharwar, is a city and a DISTRICT PLACE in India's Karnataka state.Dharwad is the administrative seat of the Dharwad District. The municipality of Hubli-Dharwad covers an area of 200.23 km²...
, a great centre of Hindustani classical music
Hindustani classical music
Hindustani classical music is the Hindustani or North Indian style of Indian classical music found throughout the northern Indian subcontinent. The style is sometimes called North Indian Classical Music or Shāstriya Sangeet...
. He was a leading Hindustani vocal musician in the Kirana gharana (tradition). Due perhaps to his aversion for publicity and his simple and scholarly lifestyle, he never achieved the level of fame of his contemporaries Bhimsen Joshi
Bhimsen Joshi
Pandit Bhimsen Gururaj Joshi ; February 4, 1922 - January 24, 2011) was an Indian vocalist in the Hindustani classical tradition. A member of the Kirana Gharana , he is renowned for the khayal form of singing, as well as for his popular renditions of devotional music...
and Gangubai Hangal
Gangubai Hangal
Gangubai Hangal was an Indian singer of the khyal genre of Hindustani classical music, who was known for her deep and powerful voice. Hangal belonged to the Kirana gharana.-Early life:...
of the same gharana. He received many awards, including the Padma Bhushan
Padma Bhushan
The Padma Bhushan is the third highest civilian award in the Republic of India, after the Bharat Ratna and the Padma Vibhushan, but comes before the Padma Shri. It is awarded by the Government of India.-History:...
.
Early life
Born into a family of scholars, astrologers and musicians, Basavraj was initiated into classical music at an early age by his father, who was himself a renowned Carnatic musicCarnatic music
Carnatic music is a system of music commonly associated with the southern part of the Indian subcontinent, with its area roughly confined to four modern states of India: Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Kerala, and Tamil Nadu...
ian trained in Tanjavur. Later he travelled widely in search of musical knowledge to which he dedicated his entire life. He chose to live a quiet life away from glamour and its attendant trappings. He excelled both as performer and teacher.
Career
Besides being a great classicalist, Rajaguru was adept at composing and singing vachanas (devotional songs in the Kannada language) which made his music more accessible to the general public of KarnatakaKarnataka
Karnataka , the land of the Kannadigas, is a state in South West India. It was created on 1 November 1956, with the passing of the States Reorganisation Act and this day is annually celebrated as Karnataka Rajyotsava...
state.
Basavaraj was fond of music from a very young age. He would try to persuade drama producers and actors to let him sing in their plays, and first became known while singing for Vamanrao Master’s traveling drama company. When he was 13 years old, he lost his father. His uncle became concerned about his future in drama. By a fortuitous stroke of fate, the blind Ganayogi Panchakshari Gawai discovered Basavraj and with little convincing from the MaTh’s swamiji (head priest of the temple organisation), took the lad into his tutelage. Since then his music embraced a whole new beginning.
Panchakshari Gawai gave all his musical knowledge to Basavraj and other students who were not in a position to pay gurudakshina
Dakshina
Dakshina in the historical Vedic religion is the term for the recompense paid by the sacrificer for the services of a priest, originally consisting of a cow...
(fees paid to a teacher, not literally a sum of money but rather a composite of materials, favours and devotion) to their guru. He mastered several Ragas and styles. He also became adept at some other arts like wrestling, swimming and cooking. His teacher would personally make sure that each of his students practiced for at least 12 to 15 hours a day. When Basavraj graduated he asked his guru what he wanted as gurudakshina, and his guru replied that this would consist of Basavraj passing on what he had learnt from his guru to his own disciples. In 1936 at the 600th anniversary of the Vijayanagar
Vijayanagara Empire
The Vijayanagara Empire , referred as the Kingdom of Bisnaga by the Portuguese, was an empire based in South Indian in the Deccan Plateau region. It was established in 1336 by Harihara I and his brother Bukka Raya I of the Yadava lineage. The empire rose to prominence as a culmination of attempts...
Empire in Hampi
Hampi
Hampi is a village in northern Karnataka state, India. It is located within the ruins of Vijayanagara, the former capital of the Vijayanagara Empire. Predating the city of Vijayanagara, it continues to be an important religious centre, housing the Virupaksha Temple, as well as several other...
, Basavraj gave his first concert with his guru Gawai. Fifteen thousand people listened silently to the young musician singing Bageshri and the vachana Nijaguna Shivayogi
Nijaguna Shivayogi
Nijaguna Shivayogi was an Indian poet and a prolific writer in the Kannada language. He lived in the 15th century. He was a follower of the Veerashaiva faith , which he attempted to reconcile with Advaita Hinduism of Adi Shankaracharya...
.
After the passing away of Panchakshari Gawai in 1944, Basavraj moved to Bombay and had the chance to learn from the legendary Kirana musician and teacher Sawai Gandharva
Sawai Gandharva
Rambhau Kundgolkar, popularly known as Pandit Sawai Gandharva , was a popular Hindustani Classical vocalist and Marathi stage actor of the Kirana Gharana. He was the first and foremost disciple of Utd. Abdul Karim Khan and guru of Bharat Ratna laureate Pt. Bhimsen Joshi. Pt...
. But Sawai Gandharva was suffering from paralysis and had to leave Bombay, so he told Sureshbabu Mane
Sureshbabu Mane
Sureshbabu Mane was a prominent Hindustāni classical music singer of Kirānā Gharānā in India.-Early life and training:Sureshbabu was born as Abdul Rehmān to Kirana Gharana master Ustād Abdul Karim Khān and Tārābāi Māne. Tarabai was the daughter of Sardār Māruti Rāo Māne, a brother of princely...
, another great Kirana musician and Guru of Dr. Prabha Atre, to take good care of Basavraj. After learning from him, Rajaguru's quest took him to the North West of Pakistan, where he learned from Ustad Waheed khan, Gawai’s guru. In Karachi he learnt from Ustad Latif Khan for six months. He was not afraid to accept any challenge. Once he had to sing after Ustad Nishad Khan and he went up to the stage confidently and Ustad Nishad Khan had to accept his defeat from Basavraj. On another occasion it is reported that Chhote Ghulam sang Raga Todi so well that nobody dared to defeat him, but the young Basavraj did.
During the partition of India and Pakistan in 1947, Ustad Latif Khan advised him to take a train carrying thousands of Hindus across the border. The train was stopped and attacked on the border but Basavraj managed to escape by clinging to the bottom of the carriage all the way from the border to Delhi.
His fame had spread far and wide and continued to spread; concert invitations came from every corner of the country. His repertoire ranged from the pure classical, Dhrupad
Dhrupad
Dhrupad is a vocal genre in Hindustani classical music, said to be the oldest still in use in that musical tradition. Its name is derived from the words "dhruva" and "pada"...
to Vachanas, Natyageet, Thumri
Thumri
Thumri is a common genre of semi-classical Indian music.The text is romantic or devotional in nature, and usually revolves around a girl's love for Krishna. The lyrics are usually in Uttar Pradesh dialects of Hindi called Poorbi and Brij Bhasha...
, and Ghazal
Ghazal
The ghazal is a poetic form consisting of rhyming couplets and a refrain, with each line sharing the same meter. A ghazal may be understood as a poetic expression of both the pain of loss or separation and the beauty of love in spite of that pain. The form is ancient, originating in 6th century...
(different styles of Indian music) spanning eight languages. He knew more than forty types of raga and he would sing them one after another right then and there. After his concert in Delhi (1995) information minister, B.V. Keskar announced, “Arre, hamare Rajguru to hukumi yekka hai!” (meaning "Our Rajguru is the Ace of trumps"). At another concert Begum Akhtar, declared, “Rajguru yane sur ka badshah.” or "Rajguru signifies the king of music". The Government of India bestowed upon him the Padma Shri in 1975 and the Padma Bhushan in 1991. He also received Sangeet Natak Akademi
Sangeet Natak Akademi
Sangeet Natak Akademi is the national level academy for performing arts set up by the Government of India.-History:...
awards from central and state governments. He was also awarded with prestigious titles by various organizations and an honorary doctorate by the Karnataka University, Dharwad.
Besides being an accomplished and talented singer, Rajaguru was patient and caring towards his students. He would never get tired of repeating taans (improvisatory phrases) for his students; he would never get angry. He would always tell his students that no matter how great they were, if they couldn't pass on what they had acquired to somebody else, the greatness would be worthless. He was a strict vegetarian and never even tasted tea in his life. He had a very strict regimen of Puja (worship), sadhna (spirituality), teaching and walking. His diet was oriented towards preserving his voice and he never ate or drank anything fried, frozen or fatty.
His dream of coming to U.S. eluded him. He had planned a concert tour in the U.S. in the fall of 1991, and he got a performer’s visa, but on his way back to Dharwad he had a minor heart attack and was admitted to a hospital in Bangalore. His disciple, Nachiketa Sharma
Nachiketa Sharma
Nachiketa Yakkundi is a Hindustani Classical vocalist in the San Francisco Bay Area.- Background :...
was beside him when he breathed his last. He told Nachiketa to pick the Tambura (violin type of instrument) and sing the SA (the first letter of Indian music) for him, and declared it was time for him to leave this world.
Death
Basavraj Rajguru died in July 1991, one of three illustrious Dharwad musicians to do so during this period (Kumar GandharvaKumar Gandharva
Kumar Gandharva or Shivaputra Siddharamayya Komkallimath was a Hindustani classical singer, famous for his unique vocal style, refusal to be bound by the tradition of any gharana, and his innovative genius...
died in January 1992 and Mallikarjun Mansur
Mallikarjun Mansur
Mallikarjun Bheemarayappa Mansur was an Indian classical singer of the khyal style in the Jaipur-Atrauli gharana. He received the three national Padma Awards: Padma Shri in 1970, Padma Bhushan in 1976, and Padma Vibhushan in 1992.-Early life:...
in September 1992).
After his death, his wife and Nachiketa Sharma
Nachiketa Sharma
Nachiketa Yakkundi is a Hindustani Classical vocalist in the San Francisco Bay Area.- Background :...
carried his dead body on July 21, 1991 to Dharwad, where their taxi was greeted by the whole city. Pt. Mallikarjun Mansur
Mallikarjun Mansur
Mallikarjun Bheemarayappa Mansur was an Indian classical singer of the khyal style in the Jaipur-Atrauli gharana. He received the three national Padma Awards: Padma Shri in 1970, Padma Bhushan in 1976, and Padma Vibhushan in 1992.-Early life:...
paying his last respects to Rajaguru declared, “Even in his death he looks like a king!”
Pt Basavaraj Rajguru Memorial National Award
The first Pt. Basavaraj Rajguru Memorial National Award was conferred on vocalist Pt. Ullas Kashalkar of Kolkata on August 23, 2011 during the 91st birth anniversary of Pandit Basavaraj Rajguru.The national award carries a cash prize of Rs. 1 lakh and a citation. On the occasion two young musicians Jayateerth Mevundi and Sangeet Katti were conferred the Pt. Basavaraj Rajguru Memorial Yuva Puraskars which carry a cash prize of Rs. 25,000 each and a citation.