The doyenne of Hindustani classical vocal music, who mesmerised audiences for over six decades, died at a hospital in Hubli.
Doyen of Hindustani vocal music who mesmerised audiences with her melodious voice for over 75 years, Gangubai Hangal, died at a Hubli hospital on Tuesday morning after a prolonged illness. She was 96.
She was suffering from severe chest congestion and anaemia. Her condition turned critical late Monday night. The doctors had to put her on a life support system, physician Dr Ashok Kalamadani said. “The end came at 7.10 am,” said her grandson Manoj Hangal.
Gangubai, hospitalised since June 3, had returned home on July 12, but had to be readmitted two days later and shifted to a superspeciality on Thursday after her condition deteriorated. Chief minister BS Yeddyurappa, presiding officers of the state assembly and council — Jagadish Shettar and Veeranna Mattikatti, respectively — and leader of the Congress opposition Siddaramiah flew to Hubli in the afternoon to pay their last respects to the departed vocalist. Diagnosed with bone cancer in 2002, it was her never-say-die spirit which made her battle the disease for three years.
Paying tributes to her, both the houses of the Karnataka legislature unanimously urged the state government to name the proposed music university in Karnataka after Gangubai.
Members, cutting across party lines, urged the state to pressurise the Centre to confer Gangubai with the Bharat Ratna, posthumously. Chief minister BS Yeddyurappa assured that his government would consider naming the music university after her and also recommend her name for the Bharat Ratna. Law and Parliamentary Affairs minister Suresh Kumar said the state would also consider instituting a national level award in her name to honour great achievers in the field of classical music.
On December 15, 2005, Gangubai, affectionately known as “Baiji”, gave her first concert to a select audience after recovering from cancer and performed for two years till she was 94. Undeterred by her failing health, the renowned musician was still teaching music to her disciples who came from as far as Mumbai and Sangli.
The singer’s grandson Mahesh Hangal said: “She leaves behind a legacy of unadulterated music. She did not succumb to pressure of commercialising Hindustani classical music but retained the traditional style.”
“There are millions of followers of Gangubai across the world. We all are saddened by her death. Though a great loss to the family, we are overwhelmed by the response,” said her grandson Manoj.
President Pratibha Patil termed her death as “the nation’s loss”. “Gangubai Hangal was one of the most acclaimed exponents of Khyal Gayki of the Kirana Gharana and a doyen of Hindustani classical music. In her passing away, the nation has lost an accomplished and popular classical vocalist,” the president said.
Condoling the death of the artiste, prime minister Manmohan Singh said Hangal is an “exceptional exponent” of Hindustani classical music. In his message, Singh said he admired her “extraordinary originality”.
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