The last of the titans of Hindustani classical music, Pandit Bhimsen Joshi was a rare genius who could transcend the mundane and transport his audience to the sublime with his gifted voice that captured both anguish and ecstasy
In 2009, Mohan Nadkarni, Pandit Bhimsen Joshi's biographer, wrote exclusively for rediff.com recalling his long association with the legend. We re-publish the feature.
The award, which was announced after a gap of seven years, was presented to 87-year-old Joshi by an Additional Secretary of the Home Ministry.
The condition of legendary Hindustani classical singer Bhimsen Joshi, who was admitted to a hospital in Pune, improved on Wednesday, according to the doctor attending on him.
Have you had the good fortune to have attended the maestro's concerts, or interacted with him in any manner? If so, share your memories of legend, right here on rediff.com!
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The mortal remains of Bharat Ratna Pandit Bhimsen Joshi were consigned to flames on Monday evening in Pune with state honours in the presence of tearful mourners.
The central government on Tuesday decided to confer Bharat Ratna, the highest civilian award, to renowned Hindustani Classical Vocalist Pandit Bhimsen Joshi.
'Social media and AI are tools; they can amplify, archive, and connect, but they cannot replace emotion, discipline, or the years of riyaaz that go into becoming a musician.'
'The largest listenership for Vividh Bharati outside the country is in Spain.' 'The labourers who go there for the tomato-picking season feel cut off from their country and listen to Vividh Bharati to overcome their loneliness.'
Ustad Rashid Khan has left an enduring legacy with his soul-stirring notes, his melodious voice echoing through time and leaving an indelible imprint on the rich heritage of Hindustani music.
Awarded the Padma Vibhushan, the Padma Bhushan and the Padma Shri, Pandit Jasraj also popularised semi-classical music like 'haveli sangeet' and reached out to devotees with his 'bhajans', a particular favourite for his fans being "Om Namo Bhagavate" in praise of Lord Krishna.
Prabha Atre, the woman who could have been lawyer, scientist or doctor but became a globally renowned Hindustani classical vocalist instead, died in her Pune home on Saturday hours before she was to leave for a concert in Mumbai. She was 92.
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Educationist Madan Mohan Malviya and former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee are the 44th and 45th distinguished personalities who have been conferred with the country's highest civilian award Bharat Ratna.
After Prime Minister Modi performed the bhoomi puja for the Ram temple, Lata Mangeshkar picked her favourite Ram bhajans.
The sarod maestro launched his book, Master On Masters.
Subhash K Jha lists five relatively unknown Asha Bhosle classics on her birthday.
The last Bharat Ratna award was conferred upon Pranab Mukherjee in 2019 and was posthumously awarded to Bhupendra Kumar Hazarika and Nanaji Deshmukh. The award was not given to anyone between 2020 and 2023.
'...as much as in India, it's only because she sang for mankind, not the details on the passport.'
Till now, the maximum Bharat Ratnas were awarded in 1999 when four recipients were given the coveted award.
'I just offered her a rose. She said thank you. And I took a photograph with her.'
On the occasion of Ram Navmi, five Ram bhajans from Hindi films that you probably haven't heard, but should right away.
All his disciples across the globe feel he was closest to them. All his friends believe he loved them the most. Just like every gopi in Brijbhoomi felt Krishna was closest to her. Pandit Jasraj didn't have acquaintances; he had friends, recalls his biographer Sunita Budhiraja.
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One of India's greatest music legends, Pandit Jasraj leaves behind a storied legacy spanning almost eight decades.
A highly respected figure in the field of music, Balamuralikrishna featured in the popular national integration song "Miley Sur Mera Tumhara" in which he rendered Tamil lyrics.
'Every religion is sacred and beautiful. There's no reason for people to hate each other because they practise different faiths.'
How are we allowing an entire generation to grow up with no clear sense of identity and no knowledge of their incredibly rich cultural heritage, asks Anjuli Bhargava.
'Everyone at home has a very strong point of view about how it should have been.' 'So opinions clash, points of view clash.' 'Everyone will have their favourites, and that '"I didn't like that moment in your performance".' '"This was such a kaam-chalao thing you did".'
'There has never been a problem between Hindu and Muslims in Kairana.' 'We are a people that smoke from the same hookah.' Once the seat of an influential tradition of Indian classical music, Kairana has become a metaphor for the exodus of Hindus.
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