New Delhi, August 21: The world of Indian music marks August 21 as a significant date, a day when the era of melody, dedication, and remarkable voice came to a quiet end. This era was embodied by Pandit Vishnu Digambar Paluskar, a legendary vocalist and musician in Hindustani classical music.
Born on August 18, 1872, in Kurundwad, Maharashtra, Paluskar was the son of the renowned kirtankar Digambar Gopal and his wife, Ganga Devi. A tragic accident in his childhood led to the loss of his eyesight during Diwali celebrations when a nearby firecracker exploded. Following this incident, he traveled to a neighboring state for treatment.
While receiving care in Miraj, his interest in Hindustani classical music blossomed. He received rigorous training from Pandit Balakrishna of the Gwalior gharana. After twelve years of dedicated education and practice, music became an integral part of Paluskar’s life.
Vishnu Digambar Paluskar was a monumental figure who played a crucial role in popularizing Indian classical music and securing its esteemed place in society. In 1901, he founded the Gandharva Mahavidyalaya in Lahore, later establishing a branch in Mumbai (then Bombay).
Among his notable contributions, he sang the original version of the famous Ram bhajan “Raghupati Raghav Raja Ram” and composed the national song “Vande Mataram.” Few know that Paluskar was instrumental in shaping “Vande Mataram” into its current classical rendition. Additionally, he authored nearly 50 books on music, including significant works like “Sangeet Bal-Bodh” and “Mahila Sangeet.”
Vishnu Digambar Paluskar passed away just three days after his 59th birthday, on August 21, 1931. However, his compositions and contributions to Hindustani classical music remain immortal.
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