Biography of Sawai Gandharva

Born: 19 January 1886, Kundgol
Died: 12 September 1952

Melodious voice and chendari are the features of Kirana Gharana. Being associated with this Gharana, Sawai Gandharva also nurtured the legacy of his ancestors till the end of his life. Sawai Gandharva, also known as Rambhau Kundgolkar, was taught by Abdul Karim Khan.

Sawai Gandharva was born in 1886. He did not possess a good voice by birth. But by dint of hard labour and keenness to learn music, he finally corrected his voice. With this, he proved that the panacea of everything lies in practice. Seeing this quality in him people started calling him 'Sawai Gandharva'.

Rambhau was also taught by Bhaskar Buwa Bakhale and Ustad Nisar Husain Khan. His contribution in enriching Maharashtrian dance and music was invaluable. Apart from this, he acted in dramas like 'Subhadra', "Tara' and 'Santsakhe. Later in his life, he was attacked by paralysis. He died on September 12, 1952, in Pune. Among his disciples, Gangubai Hangal and Pandit Bhimsen Joshi got a lot of popularity.