Hindustani vocalist Gangubai Hangal dies at 97

Doyen of Hindustani vocal music Gangubai Hangal, who mesmerized audiences with her melodious voice for over six decades, died at a hospital here today after a brief illness.

The condition of 97-year-old Gangubai, who was suffering from severe chest congestion and anaemia, turned critical last night and was put on life support system, her physician Dr Asho Kalamadani, told PTI.

Gangubai, hospitalised since June three had returned home on July 12 but was readmitted to the hospital two days later and shifted to a superspeciality hospital on Thursday last after her condition became serious.     

"The end came at 7.10 am," Gangubai's grandson Manoj Hangal said.     

The frail-looking Hindustani musical genius had been ailing for sometime now.    

 

Despite being diagnosed with bone cancer in 2002, it was her "never say die spirit" which made Gangubai battle the disease for three years and survive.    

On December 15, 2005 Gangubai, affectionately known as "Baiji" among the music fraternity, gave her first concert to a select audience after recovering from cancer and had been performing since then.    

Undeterred by her failing health, the renowned musician was still teaching music to her disciples who came from as far as Mumbai and Sangli in Maharashtra to learn from her.Recipient of many international accolades and national awards including Padma Vibhushan and Tansen award, Gangubai continued to keep in touch with her "gurubhai" Bharat Ratna winner Pandit Bhimsen Joshi along with whom she learnt music from Pandit Rambhau Kundgolkar, also known as Sawai Gandharva.    

Revered in the music circles including those by luminaries like Kishori Amonkar, Prabha Atre and Lata Mangeshkar, Gangubai is survived by her two sons Narayan Rao and Babu Rao.    

Her daughter Krishna Hangal, who was trained by her in classical music passed away, impacting Gangubai in a major way.     

Her grandaughters-in-law Veena and Archana will carry forward the legacy, according to the family.