Pandit Bhimsen Joshi: Left home in 11 years for music practice, received ‘Bharat Ratna’ honor before his death
Unique Vibhuti born 100 years ago
Pandit Bhimsen Joshi is a legend who carved a niche for himself as a Hindustani classical singer. One of India’s greatest music masters, Pandit Bhimsen Joshi was born on 4 February 1922 in Dharwad (Karnataka). Joshi fell asleep in Pune on 24 January 2011.
In childhood, he used to get lost in the meditation of music.
Pandit Bhimsen Joshi’s father Gururaj Joshi was a teacher. Dada Bhimacharya was a musician. As a child, Bhimsen loved listening to his mother’s hymns. The morning azaan from the neighboring mosque and the bhajans of the temples attracted him. He often lost his way while following the music troupe passing by the house.
Left home for music at the age of 11
Some people tell about Bhimsen Joshi, who ran away from home at the age of 11 to pursue a career in the world of music, that in his early days he traveled without tickets in trains. Sing songs to the passengers for food. Somehow managed to reach Gwalior. After listening to Kamal’s classical music in music school, he also reached Lucknow and Rampur, the famous centers of Indian classical music.
Bhimsen Joshi became a disciple of Sawai Gandharva
In 1936, three years after leaving home, Bhimsen Joshi became a disciple of the great sage Sawai Gandharva. For four years, 14-year-old Bhimsen Joshi learned the finer aspects of Indian classical music.
First performance in 1941
Bhimsen Joshi started the Sawai Gandharva Music Festival in Pune as a tribute to his guru. Pandit Joshi gave his first performance in 1941. His musical style was influenced by many gharanas, but the talent was unique. The Economist wrote after the death of Pandit Joshi, Bhimsen Joshi used to interpret Hindustani music in his own way.
Disciple Bhimsen Joshi’s tribute to Gurudev
Till the year 2002, Bhimsen Joshi himself organized the Sawai Gandharva Sangeet Samaroh. One of the most important events in the Hindustani music calendar happened in the year 2008.
Received ‘Bharat Ratna’ 15 years ago
Classical Composition- ‘Mile Sur Mera Tumhaara’ is such a presentation aired on Doordarshan that made Bhimsen Joshi a household name. 15 years ago today, he was decorated with India’s highest civilian honor – Bharat Ratna.
Talents are immortal, Pandit Joshi is a body without a shadow!
On January 24, 2011, Pandit Bhimsen Joshi fell into a deep sleep, but the most beautiful thing said in his memory was by singer Ashwini Bhide, “Talents are immortal, but sadly bodies are not.” Feeling as if a body is moving without a shadow.”
