Understanding ‘Pannalal Ghosh’

A joint ASET-AMA event.

Until mid-1930s, woodwinds had no place in Hindustani music. It was for Pt. Pannalal Ghosh (1911 – 1960), the pioneer flautist of India, who innovated bamboo flutes suitable for playing Hindustani classical music, demonstrated supreme emotional music on them, added several new Raaga, orchestral compositions and 6-stringed Tanpura to Hindustani music, popularized flute in films and filled up the huge vacuum of “absence of woodwinds” in Hindusthani classical music to make it complete. 

Pt. Ghosh’s work of creating a new musical instrument and elevating its stature at par traditionally established instruments in classical music in his short musical life span of only 25 years, is a big landmark in the history of global music. The music this saintly artist rendered was a balanced blend of Gayaki (vocal style) and Tantakari (stringed instrument style) without gimmicks. The presentation Understanding ‘Pannalal Ghosh’ intends to unfurl its forgotten intricacies.

About the Speaker:
Dr. Vishvas Kulkarni is a senior scientist at Bhabha Atomic Research Centre, an amateur photographer, a vocalist; and mainly a flautist having performed before elite audiences in India and abroad.  Trained in Hindusthani classical singing with Pt. Shreepat Shastri, Smt. Nalini Rokade, Shri. Ashok Kulkarni and Pt. Nanasaheb Betawadkar; Vishvas later on specialized in flute playing under the tutelage of Pt. K.L. Ginde initially, and then Pt. V.G. Karnad - a distinguished disciple of Pt. Pannalal Ghosh.
 
He continues his efforts to propagate the rich & original ‘Pannalal Ghosh tradition’ of flute playing via teaching as well as disseminating the information on the matchless musical contributions of Pt. Ghosh to music lovers through supportive activities in association with organizations working to nurture arts. Vishvas has to his credit many published articles and information compilations pertaining to Pt. Ghosh; the most prominent and acclaimed among them being the book ‘Pannalal Ghosh’.