Vinayakrao Patwardhan Biography 
Vinayakrao Patwardhan was an accomplished Hindustani vocalist belonging to Gwalior Kharana of music. He lived during the period - 22 July 1898 – 23 August 1975. Among the renowned exponents of Khayal in Hindustani music during the 20th century, Vinayakrao Patwardhan holds a special name. After the death of his guru Vishnu Digambar in 1931, no other vocalist has been able to successfully maintain the tradition active for over four decades except Vinayakrao. He combined many of his successful qualities as a vocalist with that of a renowned teacher, while performing. His rag Vigyan in seven volumes is a compilation of khayals and bhajans of 125 ragas, which includes many ancient compositions. He was a recipient of Padma Bhushan award in 1972.
This renowned vocalist and musician was born in Miraj on 22 July 1898, the place known for music traditions. He was initiated to music by his uncle Keshavrao. When Vishnu Digambar Paluskar set up local schools to give formal learning in music, Vinayakrao was one of its earliest students. It was a time when singers and musicians were not given due respect in the society. He later moved to Lahore and joined Gaandharva Mahavidyalaya in 1907 where he got opportunity to learn from Vishnu Digambar Paluskar directly, who taught his disciples good habits and discipline, apart from singing.
Accepting his guru’s tradition, he too decided to take music as his profession. Apart from performing, he also taught numerous students and earned reputation from the society as a musician. He taught at the various branches of the Gaandharva Mahavidyalaya School at Mumbai, Nagpur and Lahore. Vinayakrao also led the Indian cultural delegation to USSR and other countries. He has complied many of his guru’s compositions.
Published: N/A
Updated: January 19, 2016
