New Delhi, August 23: In the realm of Hindustani classical music, some artists are remembered not just for their voices but also for their efforts to bring music to society. One such multifaceted personality was Vinayakrao Patwardhan.
He dedicated over fifty years of his life to music as a singer, disciple, guru, actor, and music promoter. Although he passed away on August 23, 1975, in Pune, his musical journey continues to inspire many.
Born on July 22, 1898, in Miraj, Maharashtra, Vinayakrao was associated with the Gwalior gharana. After the death of his mother in 1902, he was raised by his uncle. He began his music training in 1905 under Keshavrao Koratkar and became a disciple of Vishnu Digambar Paluskar at the Gandharva Mahavidyalaya in Lahore in 1907.
After Paluskar opened a branch in Mumbai, Vinayakrao moved there in 1908 and earned the ‘Sangeet Praveen’ diploma in 1919. During this time, he also had the opportunity to learn from Gwalior gharana stalwarts like Balkrishnabua Ichalkaranjikar and Rahmat Khan.
Vinayakrao was not just a singer; he was also proficient in playing the harmonium, tabla, sitar, and violin. He acted in Marathi musical dramas and received basic training in Kathak.
At the age of 25, he became the principal of the Gandharva Mahavidyalaya in Nagpur, although his tenure lasted only a year. In 1922, he joined the ‘Gandharva Natak Mandali’ and acted in popular plays for nearly a decade. Initially hesitant, he was concerned that theatre might affect his music and personality, but he eventually received permission from Guru Paluskar.
After Paluskar’s death in 1931, Patwardhan viewed music promotion as a true tribute to his guru. He formed the ‘Gandharva Mahavidyalaya Mandal’ with other disciples and became its first president. He established a new Gandharva Mahavidyalaya in Pune and managed it until 1942, also founding two more institutions in Pune and Miraj.
In March 1926, he performed two songs in front of Mahatma Gandhi in Sabarmati. In 1954, he toured the Soviet Union, Poland, and Czechoslovakia with a cultural delegation, performing music.
His powerful voice, combined with classical discipline and creative freedom, earned him a distinct identity. He received the Sangeet Natak Akademi Fellowship in 1965 and the Padma Bhushan in 1972. Although he passed away on August 23, 1975, his legacy dedicated to music remains alive today.
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