Bhimsen Joshi Biography 
Bhimsen Joshi – One of the greatest and everlasting voices of Indian classic music; a vocalist among those rare gems who was able to sing in 3 Octaves! He is one other than Bhimsen Joshi – Voice of India and Voice of Mile sur mera tumhara. Born in Karnataka, he was an Indian vocalist in the Hindustani classical tradition. He have new definitions to Indian classic music and for his contributions to Indian music, he has been awarded by Bharat Ratna in 2008, India's highest civilian honour. In 1998, he received Sangeet Natak Akademi Fellowship also.
Bhimsen Joshi was born in Gadag, Karnataka in a Madhwa Brahmin family. His first music teacher was Channappa Kurtakoti. Later he took lessons from Pandit Shyamacharya. He learnt harmonium as well. Abdul Karim Khan's Thumri "Piya Bin Nahi Aavat Chein" was that inspiring fact that changed the life of Joshi. After hearing this single song, he became fascinated to music and decided to choose music as his path. In 1933, the 11-year-old Joshi left Dharwad for Bijapur to find a master and learn music. He travelled long distances in quest of a master and music and his father brought young Bhimsen back home from Jalander.
From 1936 to 1940, Joshi was trained by Sawai Gandharva, a native of Dharwad. Joshi first performed live in 1941 at the age 19. His first album was released by HMV the following year. Later he worked as a radio artist and began to perform live in many concerts. Joshi's performances have been acknowledged by music critics and he has done devotional, patriotic and even film songs. He won National award for best playback singer in the year 1985 for the movie, Ankahee. Mile sur mera tumhara, first aired on television in 1988 was composed by Bhimsen Joshi and he appeared in its video as well. Bhimsen Joshi was also a part of Jana Gana Mana produced by A. R. Rahman on the occasion of 50th year of Indian Republic.
Bhimsen Joshi is like a vast ocean of music with powerful voice, amazing breath control, fine musical sensibility and great depth in knowledge of Indian ragas. Through his hard work and talent, he achieved an iconic status in the field of classic music and remains a great name, even if centuries fade one after the other. He died on 24 January 2011 aged 88.
Published: N/A
Updated: January 02, 2014
