Gangubai Hangal

Gangubai Hangal was born in Dharwad to Chikkurao Nadiger, an agriculturistAmbabai comes from a devadasi background and is well-versed in ancient musical scores, having studied under renowned classical musician and scholar.Ambabai discovered her daughter's musical talent, gangubai began receiving artistic training as a devadasi. Hangal received only elementary education 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. ==Musical career==

Hangal's mother's family was considered to be of low social status and for women of her generation singing was not considered appropriate employment; Hangal struggled against this prejudice and made a career. Hangal served as honorary music professor of the Karnataka University. She gave her last concert in March 2006 to mark her 75th career year. Krishna Hangal, her daughter, would often provide her vocal support in concerts. ==Personal life==

Hangal married at age 16 to Gururao Kaulgi, a Brahmin lawyer. They had two sons, Narayan Rao and Babu Rao, and one daughter, Krishna, who died from cancer in 2004, aged 75. Krishna-bai Hangal, who predeceased her more famous mother, was herself a performing musician who presented concerts. Gangubai Hangal had overcome bone marrow cancer in 2003, and died of cardiac arrest at the age of 96, on 21 July 2009, in Hubli, where she resided. She had her eyes donated to increase awareness for organ donation. ==Death==

Gangubai died on July 21, 2009. The Karnataka state government declared two days of mourning for Hangal. A state funeral was announced for 22 July in Hubli by the district commissioner of the Dharwad district. ==Awards and honors==

Gangubai Hangal received a number of awards, which include: • Karnataka Sangeet Nritya Academy Award, 1962 • Padma Bhushan, 1971 • Sangeet Natak Akademi Award, 1973 • Sangeet Natak Akademi Fellowship, 1996 • Padma Vibhushan, 2002 Gangothri — the birthplace of Gangubai Hangal — has been converted into a museum by the Government of Karnataka. Dr Gangubai Hangal Gurukul in Hubli trains artists in traditional Guru-Shishya parampara to become performing artists. In September 2014, a postage stamp featuring Hangal was released by India Post commemorating her contributions to Hindustani music. ==See also==