Lubzi's Music Blog: 2013

Gangubai Hangal (1913-2009)

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Gangubai Hangal (1913-2009) was a legend of Kirana Gharana.She began to train formally aged 13 at the music school of Krishna Acharya, studying Hindustani classical music instead of Carnatic music. She also learned from Dattopant Desai before studying under Sawai Gandharva, a respected guru.She performed all over India and for All India Radio stations until 1945. Hangal had initially performed light classical genres, including bhajan and thumri, but concentrated on khyal. Later, however, she refused to sing light classical, saying she sang only ragas. Hangal served as honorary music professor of the Karnatak University. 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.

Gangubai Hangal received a number of awards, which include: * Karnataka Sangeet Nritya Academy Award, 1962 * Padma Bhushan, 1971 * Sangeet Natak Akademi Award, 1973 * Sangeet Natak Akademi Fellowship, 1996 * Padma Vibhushan, 2002