Vishnu Digambar Paluskar Biography 
Vishnu Digambar Paluskar was a Hindustani musician who sang the original version of the bhajan Raghupati Raghava Raja Ram. He founded the Gandharva Mahavidyalaya in 1901. His disciples are Omkarnath Thakur, Narayanrao Vyas, B. R. Deodhar and many more. Famous vocalist Dattatreya Vishnu Paluskar is his son, who carried forward his tradition.
Paluskar was born in a Marathi family of Kurundwad of Bombay presidency on August 18, 1872. His father, Digambar Gopal Paluskar, was a singer of Kirtan. His primary education was done at a local school at his native village. During a festival, in a fire burst, young Paluskar lost his eye sight and could regain it only after a long time. His singing talent was first noticed by King of Miraj, who later sent him to Balakrishnabuwa Ichalkaranjikar to learn Hindustani music. Under Ichalkaranjikar, Paluskar trained for 12 years. In 1896 it was broken due to the broken relationship between guru and his disciple.
Later Vishnu travelled all over India and learnt music from different musicians. He has also given public concerts in several places. By singing at a concert at Saurashtra charging a nominal fee, he broke the tradition that was carried forward till then. Till then, concerts were given only in palaces or temples. He learnt drupad music from Pandit Chandan Chaube in one such visit.
On May 5, 1901 Paluskar founded the Gandharva Mahavidyalaya at Lahore, the school to teach music. It ran on public support and donations, rather than royal patronage and first one of this kind. Thus his institution challenged Indian traditional way of learning – Gurukula. In September 1908, Paluskar went to Mumbai to start a branch there. But due to heavy work load, he shifted Gandharva Mahavidyalaya from Lahore to Mumbai. To meet with the expenses, he performed at concerts. In one such visit, his creditors attached his properties and auctioned off the school. Paluskar died on August 21, 1931.
Published: N/A
Updated: February 21, 2014
