Mumbai, August 23: In the realm of Hindustani classical music, Pandit Basavaraj Rajguru stands out as a distinguished artist known for his unique voice and dedication. His singing reflects various musical traditions, encompassing styles from khayal to thumri, ghazal, natya geet, and vachanas. However, his life took a perilous turn during the partition of India when he had to hang beneath a train to survive.
Born on August 24, 1917, in Yaliwal village of Dharwad district, Karnataka, Rajguru was influenced by his father, a connoisseur of Carnatic music trained in the Tanjore tradition. This early exposure ignited his passion for music.
From a young age, Rajguru was so enamored with drama and music that he would seek opportunities to perform with theatrical companies. He eventually joined Vamanrao Master’s traveling theatre troupe. Tragically, he lost his father at the age of 13, which shifted the course of his life. His uncle took him to Hubli for Sanskrit studies, where he met saint and music guru Panchakshari Gawai, who recognized his talent and took him under his wing.
Training with Gawai was rigorous; Rajguru practiced for 12 to 15 hours daily. He made music an integral part of his life. In 1936, he performed alongside his guru before an audience of approximately 15,000 during the 600th anniversary of the Vijayanagara Empire in Hampi, marking one of his first major performances.
After Gawai’s death in 1944, Rajguru moved to Mumbai, where he had the chance to learn from Savai Gandharva, although the latter was unwell. He then studied under Sureshbabu Mane. His quest for knowledge led him to Karachi, where he trained with Lateef Khan for about six months. The diverse teachings from various gurus enriched his singing style.
The year 1947 brought the partition of India, presenting Rajguru with one of the most dangerous phases of his life. Following Lateef Khan’s advice, he boarded a train filled with Hindus to return to India. The train was halted near the border, and passengers were attacked, resulting in many fatalities. In a desperate bid for survival, Rajguru reportedly hung beneath a train compartment and traveled in that position all the way to Delhi.
Upon returning to India, Rajguru settled in Pune and performed regularly, often participating in two to three programs a day. Later, he returned to Dharwad, where his musical journey continued to flourish. He sang in various styles, including khayal, dhrupad-dhamar, vachana, natya geet, thumri, and ghazal, performing in multiple languages.
In recognition of his contributions to music, the Government of India awarded him the Padma Shri in 1975, followed by the Padma Bhushan in 1991. His name is also recorded in the Padma Awards records for the 1991 honor. Additionally, he received accolades from the Sangeet Natak Akademi, and Karnataka University, Dharwad, conferred upon him an honorary doctorate.
Basavaraj Rajguru passed away on July 21, 1991.
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