Bal Gandharva | |
|---|---|
.jpg) Narayan Shripad Rajhans alias Bal Gandharva | |
| Background information | |
| Birth name | Narayan Shripad Rajhans |
| Born | 26 June 1888 Nagthane, Palus taluka, Sangli, Maharashtra Bombay Presidency, British India |
| Died | 15 July 1967 (aged 79) Pune, Maharashtra, India |
| Genres | Musicals (Sangeet Natak) |
| Occupation(s) | Singer and stage actor |
| Years active | 1905–1955 |
Narayan Shripad Rajhans, popularly known as Bal Gandharva, (26 June 1888 – 15 July 1967) was a famous Marathi singer and stage actor. He was known for his roles as female characters in Marathi plays, since women were not allowed to act on stage during his time.[1][2]
Bal Gandharva got his name after a singing performance in Pune. Lokmanya Tilak, a social reformer and a freedom fighter of the Indian independence movement was in the audience, and after the performance, reportedly patted Rajhans on the back and said that Narayan was a "Bal Gandharva" (lit. Young Gandharva).[3]
- ^ Janaki Bakhle (20 October 2005). Two Men and Music: Nationalism in the Making of an Indian Classical Tradition. Oxford University Press. p. 239. ISBN 978-0-19-029024-5. Retrieved 20 October 2005.
- ^ Balgandharva is awkwardly paced, unevenly executed DNA 6 May 2011
- ^ Hansen, Kathryn (29 August 1998). "Stri Bhumika Female Impersonators and Actresses on the Parsi Stage". Economic and Political Weekly. 33 (35): 2295 – via EPW.(subscription required)