Remembering Gaanasaraswati Kishori Amonkar On Her 90th Birth Anniversary

Pune, 10thApril 2022: “Music and Rhythm find their way into the secret places of the soul” who else could illustrate this better than Kishori Amonkar, a name that was synonymous with perfection.

Kishori Amonkar (10 April 1932 – 3 April 2017) was a leading Indian classical vocalist, belonging to the Jaipur gharana or a community of musicians sharing a distinctive musical style. She was a performer of the classical genre khyal and the light classical genres thumri and bhajan. Amonkar trained under her mother, classical singer Mogubai Kurdikar also from the Jaipur gharana, but she experimented with a variety of vocal styles in her career. The magnetic charm of Gaanasaraswatee Kishori Amonkar attracted millions, who would come from places near and far and wait for her patiently to delight in her soul stirring voice.

Pune-based author Rhythm Wagholikar and singer Tejashree Amonkar (granddaughter of Kishori Amonkar) remember her 90th birth anniversary. Sharing some soul stirring memories of hers from their book The Soul Stirring Voice –Gaanasaraswati Kishori Amonkar.

Tejashree Amonkar recalled, “Kishori Taai was an embodiment of music, her life was music and everybody knows about that and everything revolved around her music and that’s what she expected from her disciples too! Apart from being a musician very few people really understood or knew what she was. She was just like a clear crystal and had clarity of her thoughts and actions. She held on to the notes of her raga like a child who had the fear of losing his or her favorite possession. This intensity was omnipresent in all her actions, even as a guru. She firstly believed that if she could do it anyone else could, she never taught a student as per his or her capacity, but firmly believed that everyone has the capacity. Her teachings would keep enthralling and motivating not only me but all her students and all the students of Hindustani Classical Music for generations to come. She brought in the respect for music and musicians on stage.

My music lessons were truly what existed between a Guru and Shishya, but outside it, the Guru melted into a doting grandmother who would do anything for her granddaughter. We shared a beautiful bond and at times even discussed philosophy and religion with each other. There may be differences of opinion in views regarding mythological stories or ritualistic practices but I never felt any fear or discomfort talking about them with her. In spite of the vast generation gap both of us got along well and shared an interesting bond.”

Rhythm Wagholikar says, “Every Kishori Amonkar story largely revolved around her arrogance and her tempest nature. But when I spoke to her friends and family it just demystifies this rumor and brings to notice that ‘classical music is an art, an art that involves communication, a communication with oneself, getting the notes right is like balancing the raga on the tip of the finger and this involves perseverance, dedication and concentration’. Kishori Amonkars ‘Majestic Isolation’, was often mistaken for her arrogance.”

He added, “I am sure many of us would have come across music that calms anxieties down but not many are aware of the fact that music too has the power to transport you to the journey of abstract. I found this in Kishori Amonkars music. Her musical theory and understanding of notes was indeed phenomenal that capacitated to light up the dark corners of the soul’s interiors.

When you hear her renditions ‘Pag ghungroo bandhey meera’ or ‘ Avgha Ranga ek zhala’, realization of intangibility seeks in and you realize the importance of emphasizing emotions in music. Perhaps this is the only reason her music had always turned her listeners to tears and gave the experience of abstract. What intrigued me the most was ,after unequivocally dedicating nearly over seven decades in music , she was an ongoing learner and the ability to project the same raga in different ways, every time she graced the stage was unfathomable . Her life was a canvas that portrayed varied shades of her music. I think there are so many reasons, motivated me to study the making of this legend.”

Some quotes from legendary artists and Hindi film industry connoisseurs from the book : The Soul Stirring Voice –Gaanasaraswati Kishori Amonkar, authored by Rhythm Wagholikar.

Vidushi Girija Devi – “meri Kishori rani chali gayi , aise Vidushi phir hone nahi, (my queen has gone, another would never be created again)she was a great singer who was blessed by the goddess of intellect Saraswatee herself, I was four years older than her and I would be touched when she would call me Appaji. wherever I would perform and she was in the same place , she would come to meet me, pull my cheeks and say ‘ Appaji come home , my house awaits your presence’ The country would never forget a legend like her, who has undoubtedly raised the standards of Hindustani Classical Music”.

Vidushi Begum Parveen Sultana – I believe that Indian music is nothing but the expression of a feeling. If I say, ‘I love you,’ can you measure it? You just have to feel that vibration. This was what Kishori Taai expressed through her art, the vibrations of the soul. A legend like hers will not be born again.”

Pandit Hariprasad Chaurasia – “A singer of this magnitude happens once in a millennium. Everything about Kishori Taai was unique, her appearance, her larger than life persona, her music and knowledge. I feel an artist never dies; he always remains alive through his art and work. Yet it’s hard to believe that my sister is no more with me, this is an irreplaceable loss to the world of music. I will miss her dearly”.

Dr. Vaijantimala Bali – It is indeed very difficult to accept the reality and the vacuum that has been created due to her absence. While the country has lost a great legend, I have lost my dearest friend. Now all the memories and desires of meeting her will always remain unfulfilled. Kishori ji was a great icon and one of the finest women I had seen, who looked extremely gracious whenever she was on stage.

Pandit Birju Maharaj – ‘As an artist, she is beyond compare, her singing is divine, such flawless singing is certainly not possible through years of classical training, riyaaz (practice), knowledge and the experience she had gathered , rather it was beyond the reach of an ordinary human capacity. It only comes from above, bestowed from the blessings of the almighty. Her voice feels like a sensation that runs through your body, a mild and stimulating energy that touches the mind and deep corners of your soul. Many times it’s like getting immersed in portraying different shades of life. There are many iconic singers our country has witnessed, but not many have equaled her refinement.’