A week before her 85th birthday, on April 3rd,2017, the ‘Gaan-Saraswati’ of India Kishori Amonkar has left for the heavenly abode. The Padma Vibhushan recipient, a pioneer in Hindustani classical vocals. Amonkar was renowned for her influence in redefining singing in Jaipur Gharana.
Kishori Amonkar’s early training in music began with lessons from Mogubai Kurdikar, her mother. She later undertook tutelage from many great teachers belonging of various schools (gharanas) of Indian music Anwar Hussain Khan of Agra Gharana, Sharadchandra Arolkar of Gwalior Gharana, and Balkrishnabuwa Parwatkar. This experience of learning from teachers of multiple backgrounds enhanced her vision deeply which eventually led to the innovation she brought about in the Jaipur Gharana. She pioneered the thought of music transcending the Gharana which is aptly summed up by the legend herself in these words
“There is nothing called a gharana. There is only music. It has been bound in these gharanas and that is like dividing music into specific castes. One should not teach the students the limits of this art. There are none. But one has to understand the grammar. Which is why, one is taught the alankaar, the ragas.”
Amonkar practised in genre Khayal, thumri and bhajan and has been honoured with esteemed accolades including the Rashtrapati Award, Sangeet Natak Akademi Award and Sangeet Samragni Award for her contribution to classical music.
Influential beings from diverse sectors paid their homage to Kishori Amonkar in these words:
The works of Kishori Amonkar will always remain popular among people for years to come. https://t.co/iGFxmy8Mlj
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) April 4, 2017
Demise of Kishori Amonkar is an irreparable loss to Indian classical music. Deeply pained by her demise. May her soul rest in peace.
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) April 4, 2017
https://twitter.com/AnupamPkher/status/849220618604220417
Saddened by the passing of #KishoriAmonkar ji. India lost a great artist. RIP
— Pandit Jasraj (@ptjasrajfans) April 3, 2017
Remembering Indian classical vocalist extraordinaire, #KishoriAmonkar ji.
May her soul rest in peace. pic.twitter.com/delqOCgk5d— Shafqat Amanat Ali (@ShafqatAmanatA) April 4, 2017
promotional
Yatra Archives
How Tulika Books is creating impact in children’s lives through picture books
Nandini Varma
Aug 20, 2019
A children’s book about a boy who feels like a girl. And about a child brought up by grandfathers. These are some of the stories published by Tulika Books, who have been making children’s picture books since 23 years. Little…
Dalgona Coffee: A worldwide social media trend about home-made café experience
Harshil Shah
Apr 1, 2020
While the lockdown has ignited various trends on social media, one that has received a major global following is #DalgonaCoffee. With thousands of posts on its name, here’s all you need to know about the Dalgona Coffee wave. I first…
Leonardo, Michelangelo, Raphael and Donatello—Artists or Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles characters?
Harshil Shah
Nov 4, 2019
Did you ever wonder where the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles’ characters got their names from? Well, your search is complete. Here is a brief introduction of the artists from whom the creators of TMNT took inspiration. Teenage mutant ninja turtles,…
The call of the mountains: orthopaedic Dr Yatin Desai’s advice on trekking
Himanshu Nainani
May 23, 2019
In this piece 64 year old Dr Yatin Desai, shares with CY his inspiring story of how to scale towering mountains with utmost ease and how this life adventure activity can shape human character and health. Chances are high that…