Mogubai Kurdikar

2021-07-23T08:40:39Z

2402:8100:22DD:977F:B849:C020:B408:5297: /* Alladiya Khan and the power struggle in Bombay */

{{Use dmy dates|date=August 2017}}
{{Infobox musical artist
|name = Mogubai Kurdikar
|image = Mogu.png
|caption =
|background = solo_singer
|birth_name = Mogubai Kurdikar
|birth_date = {{birth date|df=yes|1904|07|15}}
|death_date = {{death date and age|df=yes|2001|2|10|1904|07|15}}
|origin = [[Amona Goa|Kurdi]], [[Goa]]
|genre = [[Hindustani classical music]]
|occupation = Vocalist
}}

'''Mogubai Kurdikar''' (15 July 1904 – 10 February 2001) was a renowned [[Hindustani classical music|Indian classical]] vocalist of the [[Jaipur-Atrauli gharana]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://scroll.in/article/718188/four-versions-of-vande-mataram-by-hindustani-maestros-mark-national-week|title=Four versions of Vande Mataram by Hindustani maestros mark National Week|first=Aneesh|last=Pradhan|website=Scroll.in|access-date=17 May 2019}}</ref>

==Early years and background==

Mogu was born in the village of [[curdi|Kurdi]] in the then Portuguese [[Goa]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.rediff.com/news/2001/feb/11mogu.htm|title=rediff.com: Veteran singer Mogubai Kurdikar dies at 96|website=www.rediff.com|access-date=2017-02-04}}</ref> In 1913, when she was ten years old, her mother, Jayashree, took her to the temple at [[Zambaulim]] and arranged for a wandering holyman to teach music to Mogu for a while. Later she took Mogu to a traveling theatre company, the Chandreshwar Bhootnāth Sangeet Mandali, and the company took Mogu in as an actress.

While Mogu was with Chandreshwar Bhootnath Mandali (चन्द्रेश्वर भूतनाथ मंडळी), her mother died in 1914.<ref name="marathisrushti.com">{{cite web|url=https://www.marathisrushti.com/profiles/mogubai-kurdikar/|title=कूर्डीकर, मोगूबाई – profiles|website=marathisrushti.com|access-date=17 May 2019}}</ref> A legend says{{ref|Bhobe}} that on her deathbed the mother told Mogu that her soul would not rest in peace until Mogu became a famous singer. The theatre company soon went bankrupt, and the rival Sātārkar Stree Sangeet Mandali (सातारकर स्त्री संगीत मंडळी) hired Mogu. She played commendably the parts such as of ''Kinkini'' in the play, ''Punyaprabhāv'', and of the heroine ''Subhadrā'' in the play with the same name, ''Subhadrā''. During her stint at the Sātārkar Stree Sangeet Mandali (सातारकर स्त्री संगीत मंडळी), Mogu was given lessons in music by Chintobuva Gurav. At the same time, Mogu took lessons in [[Kathak]] from Ramlal.<ref name="rediff.com">{{cite web|url=https://www.rediff.com/news/2001/feb/11mogu.htm|title=rediff.com: Veteran singer Mogubai Kurdikar dies at 96|website=www.rediff.com|access-date=17 May 2019}}</ref><ref name="mohannadkarni.org">{{cite web|url=http://www.mohannadkarni.org/the-last-titan-mogubai-kurdikar/|title=The Last Titan: Mogubai Kurdikar - The writings of Mohan Nadkarni|website=mohannadkarni.org|access-date=17 May 2019}}</ref><ref name="deshpande1989">{{cite book |last=Deshpande |first= V. H. |year=1989 |title=Between Two Tanpuras |publisher= Popular Prakashan }}</ref> She was also trained in [[Ghazal]] by Dattaramji Nanodkar.<ref name="marathisrushti.com"/> A conflict arose, however, between Mogu and one of the senior women in the theatre company, who then expelled Mogu from the company.

Mogu's spirits drooped and it also took a toll on her health. In 1919, Mogu was taken by her aunt<ref name="marathisrushti.com"/> for medical treatment to [[Sangli]].<ref name="swarmanttra.com">{{cite web|url=http://www.swarmanttra.com/blog/short-biography-mogubai-kurdikar/|title=Gaan Tapasvini Mogubai Kurdikar : Short biography|date=4 January 2016|website=swarmanttra.com|access-date=17 May 2019}}</ref> The visit to [[Sangli]] opened a new chapter in her life. While in [[Sangli]], she learnt music under the tutelage of [[Inayat Khan]] for a brief while.<ref name="marathisrushti.com"/>

==Career==

===Alladiya Khan and the power struggle in Bombay===

At this time, vocalist [[Alladiya Khan]] was in [[Sangli]] for medical treatment, and on his way to and from his ''Vaidya'' Abasaheb Sambare's home, he walked by Mogu's residence, where he would hear her practice. One day, Alladiya Khan, eager to know the identity of the singer who was rehearsing the song, climbed the stairs and entered the room. Mogu was startled to see a stranger and stopped singing. He asked her to continue singing and at the end appreciated her. He offered to teach her and started the first lesson immediately.<ref name="deshpande1989"/> Young Mogu of course agreed, but despite Alladiya's fame, she had not heard of him – it was not until some time later, when she observed dignitaries bow down to him, that she fully realised his standing. She was stunned and overjoyed to know who her trainer was.

After eighteen months, Alladiya Khan moved to [[Bombay]] (or [[Mumbai]]), and Mogu followed in 1922.<ref name="marathisrushti.com"/> Mogu resided at a small rented premises at Khetwadi in [[Bombay]].<ref name="swarmanttra.com"/> Thus begun a time of intrigue in Bombay's high-society and classical music circles. At that time, Alladiya Khan was the court musician of the princely [[Kolhapur State]] but he used to have longer periods of residence in [[Bombay]] where he used to train his disciples.<ref name="mohannadkarni.org"/> Her tutelage under Alladiya was filled with obstacles.<ref name="deshpande1989"/> Ustad Alladiya's students put forth him a condition that he should not train anyone else except them.<ref name="swarmanttra.com"/> For Alladiya was supported in Bombay by wealthy patrons in exchange for music teaching, and they would not let him take other students.

In the early 1920s, Mogu was forced to leave her guru's tutelage. <ref name="rediff.com"/> Mogu was desperate because she could not receive lessons from Alladiya Khan. Upon the advice of her peers, she started learning music from Bashir Khan of the [[Agra gharana]], who agreed to teach her if she would perform the formal ''gandha-bandan'' (thread-tying) ceremony of ''guru-shishya'' discipleship with fellow Agra musician [[Vilayat Hussain Khan]]. The ''gandha-bandan'' ceremony was held in 1926 at the Kalidas Building located at Borabhat Lane in [[Bombay]].<ref name="marathisrushti.com"/> But after three months, [[Vilayat Hussain Khan]] had to leave [[Bombay]] because of health problems.<ref name="marathisrushti.com"/>

When Alladiya heard of the episode, he demanded that she stop the discipleship and instead go to his younger brother, Hyder Khan. But Mogu hesitated because Ustads of the [[Agra gharana]] had much clout. She already had much stress in her personal life. She solicited a promise that Alladiya would teach her himself in the future if his brother Hyder Khan ever failed to do so. Alladiya summoned Hyder Khan from [[Kolhapur]] and Mogu's training in the Jaipur-Atrauli Gharana commenced under his tutelage in 1926. However, Alladiya Khan's rich and powerful students were pressing him to end it, since they were greatly jealous of Mogu's progress. In 1931,<ref name="marathisrushti.com"/> Alladiya felt forced to persuade his brother to stop teaching and leave town, but came clean to the heartbroken Mogu about what had happened which led to him breaking his promise to her.

At this stage in her career, Mogu could likely have supported herself as a performer but chose not to. Mogu was not interested in only being a performer but wanted to become a leading exponent. On 10 April 1932, Mogu gave birth her child, [[Kishori Amonkar|Kishori]]. She continued practicing with determination until one day, Alladiya returned to her.<ref name="mohannadkarni.org"/>

Mogu later received taalim from Ustad Alladiya Khansaheb for a brief period.<ref name="marathisrushti.com"/> In 1939, her husband Madhavdas Bhatia died, leaving Mogu with her three school-age children.<ref name="marathisrushti.com"/>

===Accomplished singer and guru===
Since 1940, Mogubai started touring across [[India]] for performances. She also performed at [[All India Radio]].<ref name="marathisrushti.com"/> She came forth as a leading exponent of the [[Jaipur-Atrauli gharana]] and her [[riyaz]] was rigorous. In an attempt to maintain the purity of her music, Mogubai always avoided the [[thumri]] and [[Natya Sangeet]].<ref name="deshpande1989"/>

Kurdikar performed in that era when women singers were not treated with much respect. Her daughter [[Kishori Amonkar]] would later recall how Mogubai had to travel to the venue of her performance in third class railway compartments. Despite being a doyenne, Kurdikar was paid less and was subjected to shoddy treatment by many organisers. She was not provided a guest house and had to stay at someone's home.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://indianexpress.com/article/lifestyle/art-and-culture/the-loneliness-of-kishori-amonkar/|title=The loneliness of Kishori Amonkar|date=3 April 2018|website=indianexpress.com|access-date=17 May 2019}}</ref>

Mogubai Kurdikar was known as ''Mai'' (माई) to her disciples. She passed on her legacy to her disciples including her daughter [[Kishori Amonkar]]. Some of her prominent disciples include Amonkar,<ref>{{cite web|url=https://thewire.in/the-arts/kishori-amonkar-jaipur-gharana|title=Kishori Amonkar, Grand Old Lady of Hindustani Classical Music, Passes Away|website=The Wire|access-date=17 May 2019}}</ref> Kaushalya Manjeshwar,<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.sonicoctaves.com/store/kaushalya-manjeshwar-vocal|title=Kaushalya Manjeshwar - Sonic Octaves Online Store|website=www.sonicoctaves.com|access-date=17 May 2019}}</ref> [[Padma Talwalkar]],<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.padmatalwalkar.com/her_gurus.html|title=Padma Talwalkar: Her Guru|website=www.padmatalwalkar.com|access-date=17 May 2019}}</ref> Kamal Tambe,<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.thehindu.com/features/friday-review/matters-of-pedigree/article8050753.ece|title=Matters of pedigree|first=Kuldeep|last=Kumar|date=31 December 2015|access-date=17 May 2019|via=www.thehindu.com|newspaper=The Hindu}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.houseofrhythm.in/index.php/kamal-tambe.html |title=Archived copy |access-date=4 April 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170405170024/http://www.houseofrhythm.in/index.php/kamal-tambe.html |archive-date=5 April 2017 |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://underscorerecords.com/artistes/detail/64/Kausalya-Manjeshwar|title=Artistesdetails|website=underscorerecords.com|access-date=17 May 2019}}</ref> [[Vamanrao Deshpande]], [[Babanrao Haldankar]],<ref>{{cite web|url=https://scroll.in/magazine/822036/babanrao-haldankar-the-agra-gharana-loses-one-of-its-most-forceful-voices|title=Babanrao Haldankar: The Agra gharana loses one of its most forceful voices|first=Sumana|last=Ramanan|website=Scroll.in|access-date=17 May 2019}}</ref> Suhasini Mulgaonkar and [[Dr.]] Arun Dravid.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://kalanjali.info/dr-arun-n-dravid/|title=Dr. ARUN N. DRAVID|last=admin|date=22 July 2015|website=kalanjali.info|access-date=17 May 2019}}</ref>

==Awards and honours==
Mogubai Kurdikar was honoured with several awards, prominent among which are the following:
* Popular title ''Gaan Tapasvini'' (गान तपस्वीनी)<ref name="marathisrushti.com"/>
* [[Sangeet Natak Akademi Award]] (1968)<ref name="marathisrushti.com"/>
* [[Padma Bhushan]] (1974)<ref name="rediff.com"/>

The ''Gaan Tapasvini'' Mogubai Kurdikar Award is given at the music festival.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://online3.esakal.com/NewsDetails.aspx?NewsId=5226514085149836146&SectionId=10&SectionName=%C3%A0%C2%A4%C2%AA%C3%A0%C2%A5%20%C3%A0%C2%A4%C2%A3%C3%A0%C2%A5%E2%80%A1&NewsDate=20160129&Provider=- |title=Archived copy |access-date=4 April 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170405073829/http://online3.esakal.com/NewsDetails.aspx?NewsId=5226514085149836146&SectionId=10&SectionName=%C3%A0%C2%A4%C2%AA%C3%A0%C2%A5%20%C3%A0%C2%A4%C2%A3%C3%A0%C2%A5%E2%80%A1&NewsDate=20160129&Provider=- |archive-date=5 April 2017 |url-status=dead }}</ref>

In Kurdikar's home state of [[Goa]], [[Margao]] town's ''Swarmanch'' institution organised an annual ''Gaan Tapasvini'' Mogubai Kurdikar Smruti Sangeet Sammelan in her memory.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.navprabha.com/|title=Navprabha - नवे तेज, नवी प्रभा Goa Marathi News|website=navprabha.com|access-date=17 May 2019}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://englishnews.thegoan.net/story.php?id=12848|title=Music fest at Margao|website=The Goan|access-date=17 May 2019}}</ref>

==Footnotes==

{{note|Bhobe}}Gopalkrishna Bhobe: ''Kalaatm Gomantak'' ("Talented Goa")

{{note|explanation}}This was at a time when it was difficult for classical musicians, in however high esteem, to support themselves. The subcontinent's many royal courts had supported the music for centuries, but there was no large middle class and no widespread public appreciation; now the courts were on the remove, and the budding recording industry did not have anything like today's large commercial base.

==References==
{{reflist|2}}

== External links ==
* [http://courses.nus.edu.sg/course/ellpatke/Miscellany/mogubai.htm Mogubai Kurdikar's discography ]
* [http://www.parrikar.org/vpl/?page_id=520 Mogubai's music page from Vijaya Parrikar Library of Indian Classical Music]

{{PadmaBhushanAwardRecipients 1970–79}}
{{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Kurdikar, Mogubai}}
[[Category:1904 births]]
[[Category:2001 deaths]]
[[Category:Hindustani singers]]
[[Category:Recipients of the Padma Bhushan in arts]]
[[Category:Indian female classical singers]]
[[Category:20th-century Indian singers]]
[[Category:Jaipur gharana]]
[[Category:Singers from Goa]]
[[Category:Women Hindustani musicians]]
[[Category:20th-century Indian women singers]]
[[Category:People from North Goa district]]
[[Category:Women musicians from Goa]]
[[Category:20th-century Khyal singers]]

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Mogubai Kurdikar