Kesarbai Kerkar
| Kesarbai Kerkar | |
|---|---|
Kesarbai Kerkar receiving Sangeet Natak Akademi Award in March 1953
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| Background information | |
| Birth name | Kesarbai Kerkar |
| Born | 13 July 1892 |
| Origin | Keri, Goa |
| Died | 16 September 1977 (aged 85) |
| Genres | Hindustani classical music – Khayal |
| Occupation(s) | Hindustani classical vocalist |
| Years active | 1930-1964 |
Kesarbai Kerkar केसरबाई केरकर (July 13, 1892 – September 16, 1977) was an Indian classical vocalist of the Jaipur-Atrauli gharana. A protege of Ustad Alladiya Khan (1855–1946), the founder of the gharana, from age sixteen, she went on to become one of the most noted khayal singers of the second half of the 20th century.
She was awarded the Sangeet Natak Akademi Award in 1953, followed by Padma Bhushan is the third highest civilian award in India, in 1969.
Born in the tiny village of Keri (also spelled "Querim"), in a family from Ponda taluka of North Goa, Goa (then a Portuguese colony), at the age of eight Kerkar moved to Kolhapur, where she studied for eight months with Abdul Karim Khan. Upon her return to Goa, she studied with the vocalist Pt. Ramkrishnabuwa Vaze (1871–1945), during his visits to Lamgaon.
Meanwhile, Mumbai (then Bombay) under British Raj, was fast developing as a business and trade centre of the country. Several musicians and singers from North India and Central India, facing decline patronage from princely states started migrating to the city. At the age of 16, she too moved to Mumbai with her mother and uncle. Her help of wealthy local businessman Seth Vitthaldas Dwarkadas helped her study under with Barkat Ullah Khan, sitar player and court musician at Patiala State. He taught her intermittently for two years, during his visit to the city. However, when Khan, became court musician at Mysore State, she trained under Bhaskarbuwa Bakhale (1869-1922) and Pt. Ramkrishnabuwa Vaze for short periods.
Eventually ending up as disciple to Ustad Alladiya Khan (1855–1946), the founder of the Jaipur-Atrauli gharana, beginning in 1921, and trained rigorously under him for following eleven years. Though she started singing professionally in 1930, she continued learning from Khan, despite his failing health, till his death in 1946. She belongs to Gomantak Maratha Samaj.
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