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.
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!
The central government on Tuesday decided to confer Bharat Ratna, the highest civilian award, to renowned Hindustani Classical Vocalist Pandit Bhimsen Joshi.
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
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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 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.
'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.'
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.
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.
One of India's greatest music legends, Pandit Jasraj leaves behind a storied legacy spanning almost eight decades.
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.
'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.'
The sarod maestro launched his book, Master On Masters.
Rediff reader Nalini Jagnat Kudalkar from Thane, Mumbai tells us how she coped with life after being laid off.
After Prime Minister Modi performed the bhoomi puja for the Ram temple, Lata Mangeshkar picked her favourite Ram bhajans.
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.
'I just offered her a rose. She said thank you. And I took a photograph with her.'
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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.
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.
On the occasion of Ram Navmi, five Ram bhajans from Hindi films that you probably haven't heard, but should right away.
'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.
'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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