Pandit Mukul Shivputra (previously known as Mukul Komkali) is a Hindustani Classical

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...

 vocalist of the Gwalior Gharana

Gwalior gharana

The Gwalior Gharana is one of the oldest Khyal Gharanas. The rise of the Gwalior Gharana started with the reign of the great Mughal emperor Akbar...

 and the son and foremost disciple of Pt. Kumar Gandharva

Kumar 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...

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Early life and training

Born in Bhopal to Bhanumati Komkali and Pt. Kumar Gandharva, Pt. Shivputra took to musical training early on from his father. He continued his musical education in 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"...

 and Dhamar

Dhamar (music)

A dhrupad set to the 14-beat time signature dhamar tal is called a dhamar. It is seen as a light musical form, and associated with the Holi Spring Festival of colours....

 with Pt. K. G. Ginde and in Carnatic Music

Carnatic 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...

 with M. D. Ramanathan

M. D. Ramanathan

Manjapara Devesa Ramanathan affectionately called MDR was a Carnatic music composer and vocalist.-Early life:...

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Performing career

Since his teens, Pt. Shivputra regularly accompanied his father on Tanpura for vocal support. In 1975, Pt. Shivputra, then known as "Mukul Komkali," debuted his first performance at the 23rd Sawai Gandharva Music Festival being the first in his generation of singers to debut a performance at the prestigious venue.

Since his wife's passing, Pt. Shivputra has performed infrequently and irregularly in the public, which most attribute to his drug addictions and alcoholism.

Pt. Shivputra is also known for his temperamental antics on the concert stage, from lecturing his accompanists on how to play their instruments, to showing up drunk to his performances.

Personal life

Pt. Shivputra lost his wife after the birth of their son, Bhuvanesh Komkali who himself is a vocalist.