The doyenne of Hindustani classical music and one of the foremost exponents of the Kirana Gharana, Gangubai Hangal, died at a private hospital here on Tuesday morning following cardiac arrest. She was 96. A recipient of more than 50 awards, including the Padma Vibhushan, the Padma Bhushan and the Central Sangeet Natak Akademi Award, four honorary doctoral degrees and 24 titles, Ms. Hangal had the rare honour of being felicitated by nine Prime Ministers and five Presidents.
The vocalist, who had studied only up to class V, went on to serve as honorary professor and then as Senate Member of Karnatak University, Dharwad. Apart from several performances in and outside the country, she had performed in more than 200 schools and colleges across India in an effort to promote Indian classical music.
Gangubai Hangal (Kannada: ಗಂಗೂಬಾಯಿ ಹಾನಗಲ್) (5 March 1913 – 21 July 2009) 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
Gangubai Hangal was born in Dharwad to Chikkurao Nadiger, an agriculturist and Ambabai, a vocalist of Carnatic music. Hangal received only elementary education and her family shifted to Hubli in 1928.Initially, she learned classical music from Krishnacharya and Dattopant Desai before studying under Sawai Gandharva, a respected guru.MUSICAL CARRER
Hangal's family was considered as of low social status and for women of her generation singing was not considered appropriate employment; Hangal struggled against this prejudice and made a career. Hangal served as honorary music professor of the Karnatak University. She was awarded the Padma Vibhushan, India's second highest civilian honor, in 2002. Hangal gave her last concert in March 2006 to mark her 75th career year. She had overcome bone marrow cancer in 2003, and died of cardiac arrest at the age of 96, on 21 July 2009, in Hubli, where she resided. She donated her eyes to increase awareness for organ donation.
Hangal married at age 16 to Gururao Kaulgi, a Brahmin lawyer.They had two sons, Narayan Rao and Babu Rao and one daughter, Krishna, who died from cancer in 2004, aged 75.AWARDS AND HONORS
Gangubai Hangal received a number of awards, which include:
- Karnataka Sangeet Nritya Academy Award, 1962
- Padma Bhushan, 1971
- Padma Vibhushan, 2002
- Sangeet Natak Akademi Award, 1973
- Sangeet Natak Akademi Fellowship, 1996
The Karnataka state government declared two days of mourning for Hangal. A state funeral was announced for 22 July in Hubli by the district commissioner of the Dharwad district.
FURTHER READING
- Nanna Badukina Haadu (The Song of My Life), as told to Mr. N.K.Kulkarni, translated into English by G. N. Hangal.
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