- Gangu Bai was an Indian cowherd in the original style of Hindustani classical music from Karnataka, known for her deep and powerful voice. Hangal belonged to a grocery family.
Gangubai Hangal Biography In English
Birth Details –
Place– Hangal, Bombay, India
Date of Birth – 13 March 1913
Marital Status-Married
Nationality – Indian
Family –
Mother – Ambabai
Husband- Gururao Kaulgi
Son – Narayan Rao and Babu Rao
Daughter- Krishna
Early Life –
- Gangubai Hangal was born in Dharwad to Chikkurao Nadigar, a farmer, and Ambabai, a Carnatic music singer.
- Hangal received only elementary education and his family shifted to Hubli in 1928 so that Gangubai could study Hindustani music.
- He formally began training in Hindustani classical music at the age of 13 from kinnari (veena-like stringed instrument) player Krishnacharya Hulagur.
- From Hulagur, Gangubai learned sixty compositions in a year, before he stopped teaching her after an argument about his fees. He also studied under Dattopant Desai before studying under a respected guru, Sawai Gandharva.
- On his return home Hangal could only study sporadically under Gandharva, but after he moved permanently to Hubli he received three years of intensive training.
Personal Life –
- Hangal married Gururao Kaulgi, a Brahmin lawyer, at the age of 16. They had two sons, Narayana Rao and Babu Rao, and a daughter, Krishna, who died of cancer in 2004 at the age of 75.
Career–
- Hangal’s mother’s family was considered to be of low social status and singing was not considered appropriate employment for women of her generation; Hangal fought against this prejudice and made his career.
- He performed throughout India and for All India Radio stations till 1945. Hangal initially performed light classical styles including bhajan and thumri, but focused on khayal.
- Hangal served as Honorary Music Professor of Karnataka University. He gave his last concert in March 2006 to mark the 75th year of his career.
Award-
- 1962 – Karnataka Sangeet Nritya Academy Award
- 1971 – Padma Bhushan
- 1973 – Sangeet Natak Akademi Award
- 1996 – Sangeet Natak Akademi Fellowship
- 2002 – Padma Vibhushan
Other Information –
- Date of death-21 July 2009
- Place – Hubli, Karnataka, Ind
Question Related to Gangubai Hangal
What is the birth place and date of birth of Gangubai Hangal?
Gangubai Hangal was born on 13 March 1913 in Hangal, Bombay, India.
What was the name of Gangubai Hangal’s mother?
Gangubai Hangal’s mother’s name was Ambabai.
What was the name of Gangubai Hangal’s husband?
Gangubai Hangal’s husband’s name was Gururao Kaulgi.
What was the name of Gangubai Hangal’s son?
The names of Gangubai Hangal’s sons were Narayan Rao and Babu Rao.
What was the name of Gangubai Hangal’s daughter?
Gangubai Hangal’s daughter’s name was Krishna.
Gangubai Hangal was honored with which award?
Gangubai Hangal was honored with Padma Vibhushan, Sangeet Natak Akademi Award, Sangeet Natak Akademi Fellowship Award.
When did Gangubai Hangal die?
Gangubai Hangal died on 21 July 2009 in Hubli, Karnataka, India.
