If you go to Deshpal Nagar, Gangalahari in Hubli, Karnataka, you will find one small but beautiful home with a board ‘Gangubai Hangal Sangeet Vidyalaya’. It is in the name of Dr Gangubai Hangal, an Indian singer of khayal genre of Hindustani classical music from Karnataka. She was born at Dharwad but stayed for 80 long years in Hubli where she did her ‘Sangeet Sadhana’. The residence of this legendary singer was in a bad shape. Her granddaughter left her lucrative job and decided to run Sangeet Vidyalaya in the name of Gangubai to keep her memories alive in the minds of people, let the younger generation know who Gangubai was and her contribution to Indian classical music. Recently, Dr Deepak Khirwadkar, Director of South Central Zone Cultural Centre (SCZCC) had been to Hubli. He got impressed by the residence that was kept neat and clean by her grand-daughter Vaishnavi. There, Dr Khirwadkar felt that something should be done for the legendary people from the field of art .

 

 

 

“I am contemplating to prepare a proposal regarding conserving the houses of such people who had contributed in an outstanding manner,” said Dr Khirwadkar. Vaishnavi Hangal, the grand-daughter of Dr Gangubai revealed her plans while talking to ‘The Hitavada’. Vaishnavi was the Head of the Department of Music in Gangubai Hangal University, Mysore. She probably is the only one carrying forward the legacy of Gangubai as she learned music from Mani Prasad. Vaishnavi is the daughter of first son of Dr Gangubai who is now 90 year-old. Her husband is Mahesh Talakad is the well-known cameraman. When she receive call from The Hitavada, Vaishnavi Hangal felt very nice. The house of Gangubai remained closed for last two and a half years. Vaishnavi left her job and landed at Hubli. She cleaned it, kept the things being used by Gangubai in a neat manner. For the last five months she is giving music classes to the students. “I sense the presence of music that was practiced by my grandmother.

 

She received not less than 45 national awards for music including Padma Vibhushan. But this residence remained neglected. I don’t want to blame anybody not even Government. It was not the disposition of Gangubai to take help from others. I want to run this Sangeet Vidyalaya till I am alive. My grandmother lived music and I am also following those steps.” Vaishnavi Hangal has no expectations from others, from Government. She is happy for what she is doing for her grandmother who was really great and was beyond every aspect of materialistic life. Lets hope that what Dr Khirwadkar has thought about keeping memories of legends alive should get success.