The late vocalist was well known, not just in classical music circles, but in Bollywood as well
The death of Kishori Amonkar at 84 has hit friends and well-wishers hard. The late vocalist was well known, not just in classical music circles, but in Bollywood as well. Trained in the Hindustani classical music tradition from the Jaipur gharana, she was known to have experimented with several styles in her career. She also performed for soundtracks of films like Geet Gaya Patharon Ne (1964) and Drishti (1990). We spoke to artistes whose lives she touched about their memories of the woman they fondly called Gana Saraswati.
Sukhwinder Singh
We have lost legendary classical vocalist Kishori Amonkarji. It is a sad day for classical music lovers. Asha Bhonsleji introduced us. I remember meeting Kishoriji 10 years back and I spent at least half a day with her. She asked me to sing something after which she blessed me. It was great moment for me.
Kavita Seth
She was a great singer and also a beautiful person. I have attended many of her live performances and have witnessed her outstanding singing, she was regarded as Gana Saraswati. The music industry has suffered a great loss, her contribution has been unparalleled and her absence will definitely make a huge difference to the music industry.
Ayaan Ali Bangash
Kishori Amonkarji was truly an artist who was a proud daughter of the soil and made an immense contribution to the world of vocal music. Today, she has many disciples who are carrying forward her message and approach. She has always encouraged her disciples to aim for the highest levels and constantly made them sing with her at the biggest of festivals and venues in India and abroad. In fact, most of her recent albums had a student singing alongside. We had the opportunity to interact with Kishoriji on numerous occasions especially when she also received the Haafiz Ali Khan award in the year 1998 in Gwalior. She was truly one of India’s greatest singers, and one who has lived her life by her own convictions. Truly a Gana Saraswati and a devi of music.
Amaan Ali Bangash
A true nightingale of India, Kishori Amonkarji was a symbol of versatility and genius. The significant quality of her music, together with her technique and her melancholic tone made a mesmeric impact on her listeners. Calling her music eclectic and captivating was an understatement. She, by all means, had an abiding authority and an emotional quality in her performance. We first met Kishori Amonkarji in Mumbai in 1994 at the time when her revered mother, the great Moghubai Kurdikar was receiving our grandfather, Ustad Haafiz Ali Khan Saheb’s memorial Award at the Nehru Centre in Mumbai. She met us with the fondest affection and also attended our debut performance in Mumbai the following day at the same venue. In fact, she very graciously got bouquets of flowers for both of us and presented it to us after the concert. She came on stage and said, ‘To Amaan and to Ayaan’. May her glorious soul rest in peace.
Niladri Kumar
When an elderly relative stays in the house the younger ones tend to behave or rather not misbehave and keep their voices, emotions and frustrations in check which is basically to have a certain fear out of both respect, love etc for that elder statesman in the house. It's also a very integral part of our Indian culture. When stalwarts like Gaan Saraswati Kishori Amonkar ji , Pandit Ravi Shankar ji , Ustad Ali Akbar Khan saheb , Pandit Bhimsen Joshi ji , Ustad Vilayat Khan saheb , Ustad Abdul Halim Jaffer Khan saheb and few others legends , just by their presence on this planet the equilibrium of music and gen next musicians stays. And when artists of this stature leave their physical being, it leaves such a void that it becomes a difficult balance for music and musicians to maintain. I hope my younger generation of musicians don't just show their pro-activeness in tweeting and posts on social media by saying RIP etc but rather try and imbibe and emulate the most challenging task of walking the line of principle , faith , passion and perseverance that legends like Kishori Amonkar ji stood for and practised all her life. My Shashtang Pranams to her wherever she might be as always
Hariharan
She was one of the most authentic representations of our country's classical music. A powerful, mystrical singer with a lot of spirituality and depth. Usually, you get entertained by someone's music, but it Kishoritai's case, she took you to another plane. That was her genius. I'm particularly shocked because I met her recently, 10 days back, we were travelling to Delhi. She was so full of life. She said, 'We should meet more often!' It all happened so suddenly. I can't make out how all this happened. I understand she's aged and all that but her spirit was amazing. Physically, we have lost her, it's true. And we are shocked, that's how we react. But I think she's going to live with us forever, through the humungous repertoire she left behind.
Pawni Pandey
It’s a very big loss for our country. We have lost a musical gem like Kishori Tai. It was my dream to attend her live programme but now this is something which will never come true. Her singing and personality brought light to global music. Today, we all are scarred.
(with inputs from Prachita Pandey)
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 "Bollywood, Music, Kishori Amonkar, death, Hindustani Music, classical, vocalist, singer, RIP, ,pandit ravi shankar,sukhwinder si")
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