Jagannathbuwa Purohit
Encyclopedia
Jagannath buwa Purohit was a singer and teacher of Hindustani classical music
. He learnt under various gurus, the chief being Vilayat Hussein Khan of Agra Gharana. Buwa's colophon was 'Gunidas'.
Agra Gharana:
o Characteristics: Oldest gharana, from Mughal courts, authentic and
unadulterated style, focus on correctness, laya-pradhan because of origins in
Dhrupad-Dhamar gayaki.
o Famous Singers: Tansen, Faiyyaz Khan (doyen), V.N.Bhatkhande, Jagannath
Buwa Purohit (Gunidas), S.N.Ratanjankar (Padma Bhushan), K.G.Ginde,
S.C.R.Bhat. Dinkar Kaikini
His disciples include Jitendra Abhisheki
, Pandit Ram Marathe, Pandit Vasantrao Kulkarni, C. R. Vyas and Manik Verma.
Buwa was devoted to his teachers in a day when the teachers were known for being whimsical. One of them praised him for his devotion and said you are a real Gun-das (worshipper of virtue), and this gave birth to his pen-name Gunidas.
He was born in a Brahmin family in the erstwhile Nizam state of Hyderabad. He had basic primary education in Marathi, his mother tongue. As was the tradition then and even now, musical talent of a person was carefully nourished through an age old custom. Living with one's teacher, 'Guru.' This created a definite bond between the teacher and his disciple. In Hyderabad, as well as many other princely states, certain musicians, be it vocal or instrumental, were patronized by the ruler.
Therefore, young Jagannath picked up many a veteran musicians to learn his trade. He changed his teachers as many times as he could afford to. Not that he paid any tuition of any kind. Serving one's teacher's fancies and temper is the fee.
Learned Indian percussion instrument, 'Tabla,' very well to the point that he became a master. Took lessons from famous teacher, Ustad Thirkawa. His musical training continued with a gusto till he landed in the house of Agra dynasty's major singer, Ustad Vilayat Husain Khan. That was the most fortunate thing happening to this talented lad. They, teacher and student, clicked together and Jagannath's travail was duly rewarded. He not only received excellent training from Vilayat Khan but his admiration as well. Jagannath was not only a fine vocalist but was an avid creator of Hindustani original themes, 'cheej.'
After independence, the royal patronage, the source of basic income vanished and Jagannath moved in various cities to find income to support himself. He was a celibate and had to fend for himself. It was tough to say the least. He managed somehow.
It requires a creativity to develop newer and fancier rendering of the traditional Ragas. Not many can do such original renderings. Most just copy whatever their teachers teach them and keep the style as dictated by the dynastic principles, 'gayaki.'
One of his disciple from Pune has said following about Jagannath's musical philosophy:
"Jagannath Buwa often told me that the basic requirement of music is that magical quality called “Rang” (literally: colour). As a quality in music, “Rang” transcends considerations of voice quality, grammar and communication of 'rasa' (emotional content)."
While in Mumbai, he was not only admired by many a musical lovers but by generous supporters. Two among them were V V Gokhale and his younger brother, Va Va Gokhale of Dadar. He was a regular performer at Dadar-Matunga Music Club. He died at Dombivli on a Diwali day in 1968. He was cremated at Dadar.
He was also known for his high social conscience. When he was donated a purse by his well-wishers in 1962 to help him monetarily during his final years, India was engaged in a war with China. After the war was over, he contributed generously to the Relief Fund for soldiers. He dismissed his disciples' protests by saying that one should not shirk one's duty and should not try to avoid paying one's dues.
A music festival named after him (Gunidas Sammelan) started by his disciple, C R Vyas in 1977 is held every year in Mumbai as well as many a major Indian cities.
Hindustani classical music
Hindustani classical music is the Hindustani or North Indian style of Indian classical music found throughout the northern Indian subcontinent. The style is sometimes called North Indian Classical Music or Shāstriya Sangeet...
. He learnt under various gurus, the chief being Vilayat Hussein Khan of Agra Gharana. Buwa's colophon was 'Gunidas'.
Agra Gharana:
o Characteristics: Oldest gharana, from Mughal courts, authentic and
unadulterated style, focus on correctness, laya-pradhan because of origins in
Dhrupad-Dhamar gayaki.
o Famous Singers: Tansen, Faiyyaz Khan (doyen), V.N.Bhatkhande, Jagannath
Buwa Purohit (Gunidas), S.N.Ratanjankar (Padma Bhushan), K.G.Ginde,
S.C.R.Bhat. Dinkar Kaikini
His disciples include Jitendra Abhisheki
Jitendra Abhisheki
Pandit Jitendra Abhisheki was an Indian vocalist, composer and scholar of classical, semi-classical, and devotional music...
, Pandit Ram Marathe, Pandit Vasantrao Kulkarni, C. R. Vyas and Manik Verma.
Buwa was devoted to his teachers in a day when the teachers were known for being whimsical. One of them praised him for his devotion and said you are a real Gun-das (worshipper of virtue), and this gave birth to his pen-name Gunidas.
He was born in a Brahmin family in the erstwhile Nizam state of Hyderabad. He had basic primary education in Marathi, his mother tongue. As was the tradition then and even now, musical talent of a person was carefully nourished through an age old custom. Living with one's teacher, 'Guru.' This created a definite bond between the teacher and his disciple. In Hyderabad, as well as many other princely states, certain musicians, be it vocal or instrumental, were patronized by the ruler.
Therefore, young Jagannath picked up many a veteran musicians to learn his trade. He changed his teachers as many times as he could afford to. Not that he paid any tuition of any kind. Serving one's teacher's fancies and temper is the fee.
Learned Indian percussion instrument, 'Tabla,' very well to the point that he became a master. Took lessons from famous teacher, Ustad Thirkawa. His musical training continued with a gusto till he landed in the house of Agra dynasty's major singer, Ustad Vilayat Husain Khan. That was the most fortunate thing happening to this talented lad. They, teacher and student, clicked together and Jagannath's travail was duly rewarded. He not only received excellent training from Vilayat Khan but his admiration as well. Jagannath was not only a fine vocalist but was an avid creator of Hindustani original themes, 'cheej.'
After independence, the royal patronage, the source of basic income vanished and Jagannath moved in various cities to find income to support himself. He was a celibate and had to fend for himself. It was tough to say the least. He managed somehow.
It requires a creativity to develop newer and fancier rendering of the traditional Ragas. Not many can do such original renderings. Most just copy whatever their teachers teach them and keep the style as dictated by the dynastic principles, 'gayaki.'
One of his disciple from Pune has said following about Jagannath's musical philosophy:
"Jagannath Buwa often told me that the basic requirement of music is that magical quality called “Rang” (literally: colour). As a quality in music, “Rang” transcends considerations of voice quality, grammar and communication of 'rasa' (emotional content)."
While in Mumbai, he was not only admired by many a musical lovers but by generous supporters. Two among them were V V Gokhale and his younger brother, Va Va Gokhale of Dadar. He was a regular performer at Dadar-Matunga Music Club. He died at Dombivli on a Diwali day in 1968. He was cremated at Dadar.
He was also known for his high social conscience. When he was donated a purse by his well-wishers in 1962 to help him monetarily during his final years, India was engaged in a war with China. After the war was over, he contributed generously to the Relief Fund for soldiers. He dismissed his disciples' protests by saying that one should not shirk one's duty and should not try to avoid paying one's dues.
A music festival named after him (Gunidas Sammelan) started by his disciple, C R Vyas in 1977 is held every year in Mumbai as well as many a major Indian cities.
External links
- http://www.sawf.org/library/?d=page&pid=sp113&parent=57
- http://groups.google.com/group/rec.music.indian.classical/browse_frm/thread/217ffacb060f5971/330d56e0700255a0?lnk=st&q=Jagannathbuwa+Purohit#330d56e0700255a0
- http://www.parrikar.org/music/misc/Gunidas-II.pdf