Template:Infobox musical artist
Gangubai Hangal (13 March 1913 – 21 July 2009) was an Indian singer of the khayal genre of Hindustani classical music from Karnataka, who was known for her deep and powerful voice.[1] Hangal belonged to the Kirana gharana.[2]
Early life
Gangubai Hangal was born in Dharwad to Chikkurao Nadiger, an agriculturist[3] and Ambabai, a vocalist of Carnatic music.[4] Hangal received only elementary education[5] and her family shifted to Hubli in 1928 so that Gangubai could study Hindustani music.[3][6][7] She began to train formally aged 13 with Krishnacharya Hulgur, a kinnari (stringed instrument like a veena)player, studying Hindustani classical music.[8] From Hulgur, Gangubai learned sixty compositions in one year before he stopped teaching her after an argument about his fees. She also learned from Dattopant Desai before studying under Sawai Gandharva, a respected guru.[9][10] Hangal could only study sporadically under Gandharva when he returned to his home, but she received an intensive training of three years after he relocated permanently to Hubli.[8]
Musical career
Template:Listen Hangal's mother's family was considered to be of low social status and for women of her generation singing was not considered appropriate employment; Hangal struggled against this prejudice and made a career.[9] She performed all over India and for All India Radio stations until 1945.[8] Hangal had initially performed light classical genres, including bhajan and thumri, but concentrated on khyal.[8] Later, however, she refused to sing light classical, saying she sang only ragas.[11] Hangal served as honorary music professor of the Karnataka University.[5] She gave her last concert in March 2006 to mark her 75th career year.[5] Krishna Hangal, her daughter, would often provide her vocal support in concerts. Krishna-bai Hangal, who predeceased her more famous mother, was herself a performing musician who presented concerts. Gangubai Hangal had overcome bone marrow cancer in 2003, and died of cardiac arrest at the age of 96, on 21 July 2009, in Hubli, where she resided.[5] She had her eyes donated to increase awareness for organ donation.[5]
Personal life
Hangal married at age 16 to Gururao Kaulgi, a Brahmin lawyer.[12] They had two sons, Narayan Rao and Babu Rao,[13] and one daughter, Krishna, who died from cancer in 2004, aged 75.[14]
Death
Gangubai died on July 21 in 2009. The Karnataka state government declared two days of mourning for Hangal.[15] A state funeral was announced for 22 July in Hubli by the district commissioner of the Dharwad district.[5]
Awards and honors

Gangubai Hangal received a number of awards, which include:
- Karnataka Sangeet Nritya Academy Award, 1962[3]
- Padma Bhushan, 1971[16]
- Sangeet Natak Akademi Award, 1973[17]
- Sangeet Natak Akademi Fellowship, 1996[18]
- Padma Vibhushan, 2002[16]
In 2008, The State Government of Karnataka decided to name the proposed Karnataka State Music University, Mysore after Gangubhai Hangal. Subsequently, the Karnataka State Dr. Gangubai Hangal Music and Performing Arts University Act, 2009 has been passed by the State Legislature. Presently the Karnataka State Dr. Gangubhai Hangal Music and Performing Arts University operates from Mysore, Karnataka.[19]
Gangothri — the birthplace of Gangubai Hangal — has been converted into a museum by the Government of Karnataka.
Dr Gangubai Hangal Gurukul in Hubli trains artists in traditional Guru-Shishya parampara to become performing artists.
In September 2014, a postage stamp featuring Hangal was released by India Post commemorating her contributions to Hindustani music.[20]
See also
References
- ↑ Veteran Indian singer Gangubai Hangal dies(21 July 2009). Retrieved 21 July 2009.
- ↑ Grand legend. The Hindu(27 March 2005). Retrieved 16 May 2009.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 Classic revisited. The Indian Express(21 April 1999).
- ↑ A life in three octaves. Frontline(25 February – 10 March 2006).
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 5.2 5.3 5.4 5.5 Cite error: Invalid
<ref>tag; no text was provided for refs namedTH090721 - ↑ Nanna Badukina Haadu{{#if:Hangal|, Hangal}. Sahitya Prakashana(2002)
- ↑ Song of my Life{{#if:Hangal|, Hangal}. Sahitya Prakashana(2003)
- ↑ 8.0 8.1 8.2 8.3 Template:Cite encyclopedia
- ↑ 9.0 9.1 Veteran Indian singer Gangubai Hangal dies(21 July 2009). Retrieved 21 July 2009.Template:Dead linkTemplate:Cbignore
- ↑ Where north meets south. The Hindu(29 November 1998). Retrieved 18 July 2009.
- ↑ जैक्सन के चिकित्सक पर गैरइरादतन हत्या का आ.
- ↑ Gangubai's journey to become doyen of Hindustani music(21 July 2009). Retrieved 21 July 2009.
- ↑ Hindustani music exponent Gangubai Hangal passes away. The Times of India(21 July 2009). Retrieved 21 July 2009.
- ↑ Krishna Hangal dead. The Hindu(3 September 2004). Retrieved 21 July 2009.
- ↑ Two-day state mourning as mark of respect to Gangubai(21 July 2009). Retrieved 21 July 2009.
- ↑ 16.0 16.1 Padma Awards. Ministry of Communications and Information Technology (India). Retrieved 16 May 2009.
- ↑ SNA: List of Akademi Awardees — Music — Vocal. Sangeet Natak Akademi. Retrieved 21 July 2009.
- ↑ SNA: List of Akademi Fellows. Sangeet Natak Akademi. Retrieved 21 July 2009.
- ↑ Three years after formation, music varsity hits the right note. The Hindu(8 May 2011).
- ↑ Four of eight commemorative stamps feature musical legends from State. The Hindu(3 September 2014). Retrieved 22 December 2022.
Further reading
- Nanna Badukina Haadu (The Song of My Life), as told to Mr. N.K.Kulkarni, translated into English by G. N. Hangal, published by Sahitya Prakashan, Hubli.
External links
- Template:Allmusic
- Gangubai Hangal page at Vijaya Parrikar Library of Indian Classical Music
- Gangubai Hangal Detailed Biography
- Gangubai Hangal feted on her 94th birthday
- Gangubai Hangal auf culturebase.net
Template:Padma Vibhushan Awards Template:PadmaBhushanAwardRecipients 1970–79 Template:SangeetNatakAkademiFellowship Template:Authority control