Bhaskarbuwa Bakhale Biography 
Bhaskarbuwa Bakhale was a noted Hindustani vocalist. Though he is regarded as a legend, he has left no recorded legacy. Gramophone Company attempted twice to record his songs, but it couldn’t happen! Bal Gandharva, Tarabai Shirodkar, Bapurao Ketkar, and Master Krishnarao Phulambrikar were the disciples of Bakhale. Bakhale was influenced by the style of Rahimat Khan.
Bakhale was born in October 17, 1869 in a Karhade Brahmin family in Kathor, Gujarat. He received initial training in kirtan and dhrupad from Vishnubuwa Pingale. He later became a child artist at Kirloskar Natak Mandali, a musical theatre troupe of Annasaheb Kirloskar during the period, 1883–1885. During the period 1886–1897, he was a disciple of Faiz Mohammed Khan of Gwalior gharana, followed by Natthan Khan of Agra gharana. He was a disciple of Natthan Khan till his death in 1901. From year 1901, Bakhale learnt from Alladiya Khan, his brother Haider Khan, and his nephew Natthan Khan. It was continued till Bakhale’s death in 1922.
As a classical vocalist, he started off in year 1899 and from 1901 till his death he performed at Mumbai, Pune, Nepal etc. During 1897–1901, he served as a professor of music at a training college in Dharwad. He was given the honorary title "Deva Gandharva". Though he learnt dhrupads and dhamars, he rarely performed at concerts. Instead he gave preference to khyal ragas and an assortment of dadra, tappa, thumri and bhajan. He has also composed music for dramas - Sangeet Vidyaharan (1913), Sangeet Swayamwar (1916), and Sangeet Draupadi (1920). As these compositions were purely based on Hindustani music, they were later used several times for vocal concerts. Bakhale taught and mentored Bal Gandharva from year 1906 until his own death. In year 1911, Bakhale started a music institute in Pune with name Bharat Gayan Samaj.
Published: N/A
Updated: February 20, 2014
