Gangubai Hangal

Gangubai Hangal (Kannada: ಗಂಗೂಬಾಯಿ ಹಾನಗಲ್) (5 March 1913 – 21 July 2009) was an Indian singer of the khyal genre of Hindustani classical music, who was known for her deep and powerful voice. Hangal belonged to the Kirana gharana.

Early life

Gangubai Hangal was born in Dharwad to Chikkurao Nadiger, an agriculturist and Ambabai, a vocalist of Carnatic music. Hangal received only elementary education and her family shifted to Hubli in 1928 so that Gangubai could study Hindustani music. She began to train formally aged 13 with Krishnacharya Hulgur, a kinnari (stringed instrument like a veena)player, studying Hindustani classical music. From Hulgur, Gangubai learned sixty compositions in one year before he stopped teaching her after an argument about his fees. She also learned from Dattopant Desai before studying under Sawai Gandharva, a respected guru. Hangal could only study sporadically under Gandharva when he returned to his home, but she received an intensive training of three years after he relocated permanently to Hubli.

Hangal

Hangal (alternatives Hanagal, Hanungal or Hungul) is an historic town in Haveri district in the Indian state of Karnataka.

Location

Hangal lies about 75 kilometres (47 mi) south of the city of Hubli-Dharwad, about 30 kilometres (19 mi) west of the Tungabhadra river and east of the Arabian sea. It is located on state road one, running north to south. A nearby body of water is the Anakere lake. The town is on level terrain in an agricultural district.

History

Hungal is recorded as Panungal in early documents. It was once the capital of a feudatory of the Kadambas. The Kadambas was an ancient dynasty of south India which ruled the region of the present day state of Goa and nearby Konkan region from around 485 AD until the 11th century AD. They built temples in Hangal in the Jain tradition.

Hanagal is also known for Agnihotra (three Kunda shroutagni) which was practiced by Brahmashri Chayanayaji - Girishastri Kashikar till 1973 for seven generations.

In about 1031 AD, the Hoysalas took and held Hangal. In 1060 AD, Mallikarjuna of the Shilahara laid siege to Hangal.