Bhimsen Joshi

Infobox Musical artist
Name = Bhimsen Joshi

---

Img_capt =
Img_size =
Background = solo_singer
Birth_name = Bhimsen Gururaj Joshi
Born = Birth date and age|1922|2|4|mf=y
Died =
Origin = Gadag, Karnataka, India
Current = Pune, Maharashtra, India
Genre = Hindustani Classical Music - Khayal and light forms
Occupation = Hindustani classical vocalist
Years_active = 1941–present
Label =
URL =

Pandit Bhimsen Gururaj Joshi ( _kn. ಪಂಡಿತ ಭೀಮಸೇನ ಗುರುರಾಜ ಜೋಷಿ, born February 4, 1922) is a renowned Hindustani classical vocalist. A descendant of the Kirana Gharana (stream), he is particularly renowned for the "khayal" form of singing, and for his bhajans.

Life and career

Pandit Bhimsen Joshi was born in a Kannadiga family in the small town of Gadag in Gadag district in the state of Karnataka.cite web|title=Still magical |url=http://frontlineonline.info/thehindu/mp/2002/10/31/stories/2002103100070100.htm|author=S.R.R.|publisher=The Hindu|work=Metro Bangalore plus|date=2002-10-31|accessdate=2007-12-15] His father was a conservative school-master.

Until the first half of the 20th century, khayal was principally taught in the "Guru Shishya" (master-disciple) tradition. Bhimsen's guru Sawai Gandharva was the chief disciple of Abdul Karim Khan, who along with his cousin Abdul Waheed Khan was the founder of the Kirana Gharana school of Hindustani music.

In 1933, the 11-year-old Bhimsen left his home on his own to learn singing through the "Guru-Shishya" tradition. He spent three years in Gwalior, Lucknow and Rampur in North India trying to find a good guru. His father succeeded in tracking him down and brought young Bhimsen back home.

In 1936, Rambhau Kundgolkar, popularly known as "Sawai Gandharva", agreed to be his guru. Bhimsen Joshi stayed with him from 1936 to 1940. He then left his guru and set out on his own.

Bhimsen Joshi first performed live at the age 19. His debut album, containing a few devotional songs in Kannada and Hindi, was released when he was 20.

He has started an annual classical musical festival called the Sawai Gandharva Music Festival in the memory of his guru. This festival is held in Pune every December.

His son Sriniwas is also a vocalist and a composer.

Awards and recognitions

* Padma Vibhushan in 1999
* Karnataka Ratna in 2005
* Padma Bhushan in 1985
* Padma Shree in 1972
* The Sangeet Natak Akademi Award in 1976
* First platinum disc in 1986
* Maharashtra Bhushan award by Govt. of Maharashtra

Notes

External links

* [http://www.dharwad.com/bhimsen.html Bhimsen Joshi]
* [http://www.ideasnext.com/marathimusic/Abhangwani/index.htm Musical Marathi Classic Abhangwani By Bhimsen Joshi]
* [http://www.filmsdivision.org/home.htm A Films Division film on Pt. Joshi] (select Movie Title "Pandit Bhimsen Joshi", 73 minutes)