Hindustani Classical Vocalist Pt. Bhimsen Joshi Expired

Indian vocalist in the Hindustani classical tradition, Pandit Bhimsen Joshi expired in the early hours of 24 January 2011. Pandit Joshi was a member of the Kirana Gharana founded by Abdul Karim Khan. Pandit Bhimsen Joshi is well known for the khayal form of singing, as well as for his popular renditions of devotional music (bhajans and abhangs).

In 1943 he had moved to Mumbai and had worked as a radio artist.  He first performed live at the age of 19. At the age of 22 his first debut album containing a few devotional songs in Kannada and Hindi was released by HMV. Pt. Joshi's more popular Raags include Shuddha Kalyan, Miyan Ki Todi, Puriya Dhanashri, Multani, Bhimpalas, Darbari, and Ramkali. His rendition of Mile Sur Mera Tumhara as well as Piya Milan Ki Aas, Jo Bhaje Hari Ko Sada are still the favourites among his fans.

He had sung for several films like Basant Bahar (1956) with Manna Dey, Birbal My Brother (1973) with Pt. Jasraj and Nodi Swami Naavu Irodhu Heege, Tansen(1958) and Ankahee(1985). Pt. Joshi organized the Sawai Gandharva Music Festival as homage to his guru, Pt. Sawai Gandharva, along with the Arya Sangeet Prasarak Mandal for the first time in 1953. Since 1953 the festival has been held every year on the second weekend of December in Pune, Maharashtra and has become not only a cultural event for the city. Pt. Joshi conducted the festival annually since 1953, until his retirement in 2002.

Born into a Kannada Brahmin family in Gadag Karnataka in 1922, Pandit Bhimsen Joshi received the country’s highest civilian award, Bharat Ratna in 2008. He was also conferred the Natak Akademi Award (1976) Padma Bhushan (1985), and Padma Vibhushan (1999).
Classical tradition of singing in India is divided into Hindustani and Carnatic.