Pt. V A Kagalkar (1902-1972) – The first president of Sangeet Kalakaar Sangh, Belgaum
I remember Pt. Kagalkarbuva sang in the Durbar of Maniknagar (A holy place of Sant Manikprabhu Maharaj, near Humnabad, Bidar). The memory is very frail and faded. I was ten years old. I didn’t understand much of Shastriya Sangeet, but it mesmerised me. I enjoyed just being there. The artistes appreciated my attentive listening. His Holiness Siddharaj Manikprabhu Maharaj liked me when I used to sit for hours together without even changing my sitting posture.
This went on, and till my 10th class examination and for many years I listened to Pt. Kagalkarbuva in Maniknagar.
Though he stayed in Belgaum, I don’t remember any concert where he performed. My father used to meet him, attend his concerts, and invite him many times to our Vithal Mandir. Talim Master Baluanna Deulkar was also fond of his singing.
Later I learnt about his musical tradition when I started writing about music in Belgaum. He was a true Shishya of Pt. Rambhau Kundgolkar Sawai Gandharva. Kagalkarbuva, as he was popularly known in the circle, had received rigorous Taalim and had a powerful voice. Earlier, he was trained by none other than Pt. Balkrishnabuva Ichalkaranjikar, Ustd Vilayat Hussain and then by Pt. Ramkrishnabuava Vaze. Later, he was known as a pillar of Kirana Gharana in his youth. His repertoire usually included Shudh Kalyan, Pooriya, Miyan Ki Todi, Durbari Kanhada, Brindawani Sarang, Madhuwanti, etc., a pure Kirana stock. His base voice (Kharj) was very deep and sonorous. Many times, as an eager listener, I used to visit D N Adhyapak’s house to attend his rare recodings. In one of his Shudh Kalyan, a backing voice was of Pt. Bhimsen Joshi himself (as I was told by D N Adhyapak)
Though Kagalkarbuva was known for his impactful performance, he was very humble as a Shishya. An interesting incident was told many times by Pt. Rambhau Bijapure. Rambhau had begun his career as an accompanist. He was very fortunate to have a great Pt. Ramkrishnabuva Vaze in the very beginning of harmonium playing. Impressed with this, Kagalkarbuva used to ask Rambhau to accompany him in the concerts. On Kirloskar Road, there was a WADA known as Nawkot Wada, an asylum of classical music, where Nandanikar Vaidya offered free medicine to musicians. Once a year during Navaratri, he used to arrange a music festival, in which many stalwarts used to offer their SEVA. Once on such an occasion, Kagalkrbuva was to perform. Rambhau was ready with his harmonium; the tabla accompanist was ready too! Though his name was announced a number of times, Buva was not ready to appear before the audience. Rambhau went to him and asked the reason for that. A sweaty Kagalkarbuva pointed towards the first line of listeners, where Sawai Gandharva was sitting. Rambhau understood the problem and asked Utturkarbuva to take Sawai Gandharva for a cup of tea outside. The Gandharva went out, and Buva started singing!!
My Guruji Pt. Mrutyunjabuva also had many memories of Kagalkabuva’s nature and his talent. Pt. Nagesh Bandekar, a versatile singer of great calibre, also had many anecdotes to tell. The frontline artistes of Belgaum had a true respect and a feeling of obeisance towards Pt. Vyankatrao A Kagalkarbuva. When Sangeet Kalakaar Sangh came into being, the first person selected to be the president was none other than Pt. V A Kagalkarbuva.
About the author:
Pt. Nandan G. Herlekar is a renowned Hindustani classical vocalist, music educator and author from Belagavi. A lifelong student and teacher of Indian classical music, he has dedicated himself to documenting the city’s rich musical heritage. This series chronicles the lives and contributions of Belagavi’s musicians, preserving an important chapter of the region’s cultural history.