2018-08-18 Sat

Pandit Vishnu Digambar Paluskar was the pioneer to establish Gandharva Mahavidyalaya. He sang the original version of the bhajan Raghupati Raghava Raja Ram and starts a degree course in Indian classical music. He was an Institution of Indian classical music in himself.

Vishnu was born at Kurundwad in Maharashtra on 18th August 1872 in a family of Kirtankars. He could not continue his studies due to an accident which affected his eyesight so he applied himself to the study music.

Under the patronage of the chief of Miraj, he studied the art under the late Pandit Balkrishnabuwa Ichalkaranjikar. After that Paluskar began touring the country and studied the musical traditions in each part of Northern India. He went from place to place and visited many royal families in cities like Baroda and Gwalior, well known for their patronage of musicians.

He was also used to participate in the Sessions of the Indian National Congress and awaken the crowd by the power of his musical charm.

On 21 July 1973, the Posts and Telegraph Department, paid homage to Paluskar by releasing a commemorative stamp.

Image Source: Mintage World