An air of authenticity pervades this portrait of this multi-faceted artist, due to its reliance on anecdotes and eyewitness accounts from those who knew him best, including family, friends, students, and colleagues. The author, Pandit Dr. Nagaraj Rao Havaldar, proves an ideal guide.
-Dr. Mark Harbold, Professor of Music, Elmhurst College, Chicago, USA.
After leafing through the first few pages of the book, it would be impossible to set it aside. The credit for that goes to the lucidity in Dr. Havaldar's style of writing, spiced up with his individualistic sense of humour.
- Pt. Samir Chatterjee, Tabla maestro & President, Chhandayan Center for Indian Music, New York, USA.
To chronicle the life and achievements of a legendary figure in a compact and precise manner is more than a challenge. That Dr. Nagaraja Rao Havaldar has achieved great success in bringing out the essence of Bharata Ratna Pt. Bhimsen Joshi's musical journey is a matter of pride as well as fulfillment.
-Dr. T.S. Sathyavathi, Carnatic Vocalist, Scholar and Writer, Bengaluru, India.
Dr. Nagaraj Rao Havaldar is a well-known name in the field of Hindustani Classical music. As a part of his study for the 'Sangeeta Ratna' degree, he was taught by Pt. Mallikarjun Mansur, Pt. Basavraj Rajguru, Pt. Sangameshwar Gurav and such luminaries.
He received advanced training in Kirana Gharana from Pt. Madhava Gudi, who was the prime disciple of none other than Pt. Bhimsen Joshi. He also received invaluable training and refinement in music, from the eminent Jaipur Atrauli Gharana exponent Pt. Panchakshari Swami Mattigatti.
He is the founding president of Sunaada Art Foundation, established to promote and nurture Hindustani music. He has also authored many articles on contemporary and past musicians, and music related personalities.
A must-read for all lovers of the music of Pandit Bhimsen Joshi, "National Treasure" and one of the greatest Indian musicians of the past hundred years.
An air of authenticity pervades this portrait of this multi-faceted artist, due to its reliance on anecdotes and eyewitness accounts from those who knew him best, including family, friends, students, and colleagues. The author, Pandit Dr. Nagaraj Rao Havaldar, proves an ideal guide. Pt. Havaldar is a life-long lover of Bhimsenji's music and himself the student of the maestro's prime disciple, Pt. Madhava Gudi, so he knows the intricacies of the Hindustani classical tradition as well as any musician alive. He has worked closely with the musicians he quotes, especially the subject of this volume, Pt. Bhimsen Joshi, his grand-guru. Dr. Havaldar is thus in the perfect position to reflect on Bhimsenji's importance to Indian music, his dedication to his art, and his impact as a teacher, all the while providing deep insights into the man himself.
While this book treats its larger-than-life subject with the reverence due such an esteemed artist, it does not hesitate to probe the man's weaknesses. The chapter on Panditji's alcoholism, for instance, provides an unblinking yet sensitive look at a man torn between his passions for music and drink. As Pt. Havaldar turns from topic to topic, we learn a great deal about the world of Hindustani classical music. We find countless insights into the traditions of the art, the nature of the raga, the time-honoured guru-shishya system, and the absolute dedication of these musicians to their art, in spite of the many dissonances between living in today's world and devoting one's life to music.
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