Pandit
A pandit (; ; also spelled pundit, pronounced ; abbreviated Pt. or Pdt.) is an individual with specialised knowledge or a teacher of any field of knowledge in Hinduism, particularly the Vedic scriptures, dharma, or Hindu philosophy; in colonial-e ...
Gopal Krishan Sharma (1926–2004) was an exponent of
Vichitra Veena
The ''vichitra veena'' () is a stick zither, a plucked string instrument used in Hindustani music. Similar to the Carnatic '' gottuvadhyam'' (chitra vina) it has no frets and is played with a slide.
The structure
The Vichitra Veena is the mode ...
, an ancient Indian musical instrument.
Early life and Musical Training
Gopal Krishan was given initial music lessons by his father, Pandit Nand Kishore, who was himself a noted
surbahar
''Surbahar'' (; ) sometimes known as bass sitar, is a plucked string instrument used in the Hindustani classical music of the Indian subcontinent. It is closely related to the sitar, but has a lower pitch. Depending on the instrument's size, i ...
player, a vocalist and a student of
Pt. Vishnu Digambar Paluskar. After his father's death, Gopal Krishan continued his training in music under the guidance of
Pt. Khubchand Bramchari of the Gwalior school of music. He joined All India Radio (AIR) in 1949 and later became an accomplished artist there.
Skills and Style
Gopal Krishan was a versatile musician, possessing the ability to play different instruments like
tabla
A ''tabla'' is a pair of hand drums from the Indian subcontinent. Since the 18th century, it has been the principal percussion instrument in Hindustani classical music, where it may be played solo, as an accompaniment with other instruments a ...
,
guitar
The guitar is a stringed musical instrument that is usually fretted (with Fretless guitar, some exceptions) and typically has six or Twelve-string guitar, twelve strings. It is usually held flat against the player's body and played by strumming ...
, and a folk instrument called the
ektara
The ''ektara'' (, , , , , ; literally 'one-string', also called ''actara'', ''iktar'', ''ektar'', , ''yaktaro'', ''gopichand'', ''gopichant'', ''golki'' , ''gopijiantra'', ''tun tuna'') is a one-stringed musical instrument used in the traditio ...
. In addition to his musical skill, Gopal Krishan was also a good vocalist. Gopal Krishan was adept at playing
raga
A raga ( ; , ; ) is a melodic framework for improvisation in Indian classical music akin to a musical mode, melodic mode. It is central to classical Indian music. Each raga consists of an array of melodic structures with musical motifs; and, fro ...
s in pure forms and skilled with the
dhrupad
Dhrupad is a genre in Hindustani classical music from the Indian subcontinent. It is the oldest known style of major vocal styles associated with Hindustani classical music (for example in the Haveli Sangeet of Pushtimarg Sampradaya), and is als ...
style,
aalap, jod and
jhala
Jhala (Hindi: झाला, ) is a term in Hindustani classical music which denotes the fast-paced conclusions of classical compositions or raga
A raga ( ; , ; ) is a melodic framework for improvisation in Indian classical music akin to a mus ...
.
His compositions were unique as for the
Dhamar as well as the other rhythmic patterns. His jhala playing was a myriad of various patterns of rhythm and mix of strokes of mizrab. This often led to the crescendo which produced a trance like climax before concluding his recital.
He created many new ragas, the most prominent of which being Shiv Onkar, Tilak Malhar and Saraswati Sarang. He composed many orchestra compositions for
akashwani, including taar nritya.
Teaching style and students
Gopal Krishnan was known to be a strict guru. His lessons to his disciples were often focused on ensuring the purity of a raga and melodious patterns of rhythm.
His disciples are well known artists. His prominent disciples are— Pandit Shri krishan Sharma (Son, Vichitra Veena & Guitar), Shri Murli Krishan (Sitar), Smt Anubha Banerjee (Sitar), Sh. Rajan Swaroop Rajan (Vocal), Durjoy (vocal), Smriti Madan (sitar), Shruti Kalra (sitar), Smriti Minocha (Vocal), Sh. Umakant Saxena (guitar), Vinay Jain (guitar), Rakesh Jhori (guitar), Sh. Jugal Kishore Jain (jaltarang), Sh. Narendra Lahad (sarod),Pandit Nishindra Kinjalk (Sitar & Surbahar), and Sh. M.C.Gotan (violin).
Gianni Richizzi (Vichitra Veena), Anurag Swarup (Vichitra Veena), Vinay Jain, Ronald Simpson, Doug Bartel and Umesh Chandra are other prominent disciples.
Awards
He was given the Sangeet Natak Academy Award by the Honourable President of India, Dr Shankar Dayal Sharma in the year 1994. He was also conferred the coveted Lichhavi Sangeet Sammaan in 2000.
See also
*
Shrikrishan Sharma
References
1926 births
2004 deaths
Hindustani instrumentalists
Vichitra veena players
Recipients of the Sangeet Natak Akademi Award
20th-century Indian male classical singers
Indian conductors (music)
All India Radio people
20th-century conductors (music)
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