Tracing Kumar Gandharva’s many worlds through story and song
A recent event in Bangalore explored the life and musical legacy of Hindustani legend Kumar Gandharva through stories and songs. The presentation highlighted his unique creative process, which was deeply influenced by folk music and his observations of rural life.
Why it matters
It preserves the cultural history of Indian classical music and provides insight into the creative evolution of one of its most influential figures.
There are excellent musicians, and then there are the prodigious and multifarious ones who leave successive generations of artistes, scholars and listeners with something to ponder for decades after they have passed. In the world of Hindustani music, nobody embodies this more completely than Kumar Gandharva.
Scholar, archivist, Hindustani musician and teacher, Srijan Deshpande, recently presented an unusual yet interesting conversation-cum-concert — The Stories and Songs of Kumar Gandharva. Through music and anecdotes, Srijan shared key moments from the legendary musician’s journey as a composer.
To use one of Kumar ji’s favourite words, a-svabhavik, the evening had a seamless flow and was held in the intimate setting of the library at the Bangalore International Centre.
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