Gangubai Hangal (5 March 1913 – 21 July 2009) was an Indian singer of the khayal genre of Hindustani classical music from Karnataka, who was known for her deep and powerful voice. Hangal belonged to the Kirana gharana.

She was awarded the Padma Vibhushan, India's second highest civilian honour in 2002 and Sangeet Natak Akademi Fellowship, the highest award of Sangeet Natak Akademi, India's National Academy for Music and Performing Arts in 1996.

Early life and musical training

Gangubai Hangal was born in Dharwad to Chikkurao Nadiger, an agriculturistAmbabai comes from a devadasi background and is well-versed in ancient musical scores, having studied under renowned classical musician and scholar.Ambabai discovered her daughter's musical talent, gangubai began receiving artistic training as a devadasi.  Hangal received only elementary education She began to train formally aged 13 with Krishnacharya Hulgur, a kinnari (stringed instrument like a veena) player, studying Hindustani classical music. From Hulgur, Gangubai learned sixty compositions in one year before he stopped teaching her after an argument about his fees. She also learned from Dattopant Desai before studying under Sawai Gandharva, a respected guru. Hangal could only study sporadically under Gandharva when he returned to his home, but she received an intensive training of three years after he relocated permanently to Hubli. Hangal served as honorary music professor of the Karnataka University. They had two sons, Narayan Rao and Babu Rao, and one daughter, Krishna, who died from cancer in 2004, aged 75. Krishna-bai Hangal, who predeceased her more famous mother, was herself a performing musician who presented concerts. Gangubai Hangal 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. A state funeral was announced for 22 July in Hubli by the district commissioner of the Dharwad district.

  • Padma Bhushan, 1971
  • Sangeet Natak Akademi Award, 1973
  • Sangeet Natak Akademi Fellowship, 1996
  • Padma Vibhushan, 2002

Gangothri — the birthplace of Gangubai Hangal — has been converted into a museum by the Government of Karnataka.

Dr Gangubai Hangal Gurukul in Hubli trains artists in traditional Guru-Shishya parampara to become performing artists.

In September 2014, a postage stamp featuring Hangal was released by India Post commemorating her contributions to Hindustani music.

See also

  • Bhimsen Joshi

References

Further reading

  • Nanna Badukina Haadu (The Song of My Life), as told to Mr. N.K.Kulkarni, translated into English by G. N. Hangal, published by Sahitya Prakashan, Hubli.
  • Gangubai Hangal page at Vijaya Parrikar Library of Indian Classical Music
  • Gangubai Hangal Detailed Biography
  • Gangubai Hangal feted on her 94th birthday
  • Gangubai Hangal auf culturebase.net