Search the Internet          Tips

Veteran singer Mogubai Kurdikar
passes away at 96

'Gaan Tapaswini' Mogubai Kurdikar, veteran classical singer from the famous Jaipur Atrauli gharana, died at the ripe old age of 96 at a private hospital in Bombay on Saturday.

She is survived by two daughters -- leading vocalist Kishori Amonkar and Lalita -- and son Ulhas.

Kurdikar was admitted to the Hinduja Hospital on Monday after she complained of breathing problems. The end came at about 2030 IST.

Born on July 15, 1904, in Goa's Kurdi village, Mogubai joined the Goa-based Chandrashekhar Bhutnath Music Academy at the age of nine with her mother Jayashreebai, who was also blessed with a sweet voice. She learnt classical singing there from Guru Haridasbua.

Later she joined the Satarkar Women's Drama Company, where she learnt Kathak dance from Ramlal and simultaneously learnt classical singing from Khan Inayat Pathan.

In 1922, she moved to Bombay where singing maestro Khansaheb Alladiya Khan, impressed by her hard and good work, accepted her as his disciple and trained her for more than a year. In 1923, she tied the knot with Madhavdas Bhatiya.

Kurdikar's popularity earned her the title 'Gaan Tapaswini'. In 1968, she was conferred the prestigious Sangeet Natak Akademi award. In 1974, she was honoured with the Padma Bhushan.

Her mortal remains were consigned to flames at the Shivaji Park crematorium on Saturday night.

UNI

Back to top

Tell us what you think of this report