Jagannathbuwa Purohit

Jagannath buwa Purohit (12 March 1904 – 1968) was a singer and teacher of Hindustani classical music. He studied under various notable musicians, the chief being Vilayat Hussein Khan of Agra Gharana. Buwa's colophon was 'Gunidas'.

Agra Gharana

Characteristics

Oldest gharānā, from Mughal courts, authentic and unadulterated style, focus on correctness, laya-pradhan because of origins in Dhrupad-Dhamar gayaki.

Famous singers

Tansen, Faiyyaz Khan (doyen), V.N.Bhatkhande, Jagannath Buwa Purohit (Gunidas), S.N.Ratanjankar (Padma Bhushan), K.G.Ginde, S.C.R.Bhat. Dinkar Kaikini

His disciples include Jitendra Abhisheki, Pandit Ram Marathe, Pandit Vasantrao Kulkarni, C. R. Vyas, Pandit Yeshwantbuwa Joshi and Manik Varma. Pt Bhai (Suresh) Gaitonde, living legend of Farukhabad gharana of Tabla, received his initial training from Pt Jagannath Buwa.

Buwa was devoted to his teachers in a day when the teachers were known for being whimsical. One of them praised him for his devotion and said, "You are a real Gun-das (worshiper of virtue)", and this gave birth to his pen name Gunidas.

He was born in a Karhade Brahmin family in the erstwhile Nizam state of Hyderabad. He obtained his basic primary education in Marathi, his mother tongue. As was the tradition then and even now, the musical talent of a person was carefully nourished through an age old custom: living with one's teacher, or guru. This created a definite bond between the teacher and his disciple. In Hyderabad, as well as many other princely states, certain musicians, whether their style be vocal or instrumental, were patronized by the ruler.

Therefore, young Jagannath chose many veteran musicians to learn his trade. He changed his teachers as many times as he could afford to. It's not that he paid any tuition of any kind. Serving one's teacher's fancies and temper is the fee.

He learned the Indian percussion instrument tabla very well to the point that he became a master. He took lessons from the famous teacher, Ustad Thirkawa. His musical training continued with gusto until he landed in the house of the Agra dynasty's major singer, Ustad Vilayat Husain Khan. That was the most fortunate thing happening to this talented lad. They, teacher and student, clicked and Jagannath's travail was duly rewarded. He not only received excellent training from Vilayat Khan but his admiration as well. Jagannath was not only a fine vocalist but was an avid creator of Hindustani original themes, 'cheej.'

After independence, the royal patronage, the source of basic income vanished and Jagannath moved in various cities to find income to support himself. He was a celibate and had to fend for himself. It was tough to say the least, but he was able to manage.

It requires creativity to develop newer and fancier rendering of the traditional Ragas. Not many can do such original renderings. Most just copy whatever their teachers teach them and keep the style as dictated by the dynastic principles, 'gayaki.'

One of his disciple from Pune has said following about Jagannath's musical philosophy:

"Jagannath Buwa often told me that the basic requirement of music is that magical quality called “Rang” (literally: colour). As a quality in music, “Rang” transcends considerations of voice quality, grammar, and communication of 'rasa' (emotional content)."

While in Mumbai, he was not only admired by many musical lovers but also by generous supporters as well. Two among them were V V Gokhale and his younger brother, Va Va Gokhale of Dadar. He was a regular performer at Dadar-Matunga Music Club. He died at Dombivli on a Diwali day in 1968. He was cremated at Dadar.

He was also known for his high social conscience. When he was donated a purse by his well-wishers in 1962 to help him monetarily during his final years, India was engaged in a war with China. After the war was over, he contributed generously to the Relief Fund for soldiers. He dismissed his disciples' protests by saying that one should not shirk one's duty and should not try to avoid paying one's dues.

A music festival named after him (Gunidas Sammelan) was started by his disciple, C R Vyas, in 1977 and is held every year in Mumbai as well as in many major Indian cities.

References

    External links

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