Today is the 96th birth anniversary of the artiste extraordinaire and musicologist Pandit Kumar Gandharva, born Shivaputra Siddharamayya Komkalimath in a Kannada family.. Many, including yours truly, consider him the vocalist of the generation. Thread....

Kumar Gandharva combined the best of Jaipur, Agra, Gwalior, Bhendi-bazaar et al and created his own gharana. He constantly experimented and innovated, and as a result, arguably he was the greatest improviser ever.

A child prodigy, he was taken seriously by masters as early as ages 10-14 and established himself as an accomplished vocalist at 20! t the age of 24 he lost one lung to serious illness and was not expected to sing again. Yet he persevered and by all accounts regained his mastery.

Do read this awesome thread put together by @aparanjape ; it has links to some of the greatest music ever performed. Here it is... enjoy! https://twitter.com/aparanjape/status/1247788840053432325?s=20

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