Bhimsen Joshi

For the raga on Bhimsen Joshi, see Bhimsen (raga).

Pandit
Swarbhaskar Bhimsen Joshi
Joshi in 1971
Born
Bhimsen Gururaj Joshi

(1922-02-04)4 February 1922
Ron, Gadag, Karnataka, India
Died24 January 2011(2011-01-24) (aged 88)
Pune, Maharashtra, India
NationalityIndian
OccupationHindustani Classical Vocalist
Years active1941–2000
Parent(s)Gururajrao Joshi (father)
Rama bai (mother)
Awards
Musical career
Genres
(in the form of bhajans and abhangs)
Instruments
Signature

Pandit Bhimsen Gururaj Joshi (/ˌbiːmsɛn ˈdʒoʊʃɪ/ ⓘ; BHEEM-SAYN joe-SHEE; 4 February 1922 – 24 January 2011), also known by the honorific prefix Pandit, was one of the greatest Indian vocalists in the Hindustani classical tradition. He is known for the khayal form of singing, as well as for his popular renditions of devotional music (bhajans and abhangs). Joshi belongs to the Kirana gharana tradition of Hindustani Classical Music. He is noted for his concerts, and between 1964 and 1982 Joshi toured Afghanistan, Italy, France, Canada and USA. He was the first musician from India whose concerts were advertised through posters in New York City.[1][2] Joshi was instrumental in organising the Sawai Gandharva Music Festival annually, as homage to his guru, Sawai Gandharva.[3]

In 1998, he was awarded the Sangeet Natak Akademi Fellowship, the highest honour conferred by Sangeet Natak Akademi, India's National Academy for Music, Dance and Drama.[4] Subsequently, he received the Bharat Ratna, India's highest civilian honour, in 2009.[5]

  1. ^ Darpan, Pratiyogita (January 2009). Pratiyogita Darpan. p. 11. Archived from the original on 24 October 2023. Retrieved 1 January 2009.
  2. ^ Margalit Fox. "Pandit Bhimsen Joshi dies at 88; Indian Classical Singer". The New York Times. Archived from the original on 16 February 2017. Retrieved 5 February 2011.
  3. ^ "Sawai Gandharva Mahotsav renamed – Mumbai – DNA". Dnaindia.com. 19 November 2011. Archived from the original on 26 January 2012. Retrieved 27 April 2013.
  4. ^ "SNA: List of Sangeet Natak Academi Ratna Puraskarwinners (Akademi Fellows)". Official website. Archived from the original on 4 March 2016.
  5. ^ "Bharat Ratna for Vocalist Pandit Bhimsen Joshi". Rediff. Archived from the original on 14 February 2009. Retrieved 21 February 2009.