Pt Krishnarao Shankar Pandit

Pt. Krishnarao Shankar Pandit, the doyen of Hindustani Classical Music was born on 26 th July 1893 in an illustrious family of musicians of Gwalior.  His father Pt Shankar Pandit, who was a legend in himself , was the disciple of the great Ustad Haddu Khan and Ustad Nathu Khan - the innovators of Gwalior style and Ustad Nissar Hussain Khan.  Not only was he noted for his unique and incomparable vocal music but also for devoting his entire life to the service of music and its propagation amongst the masses.  For his immense contribution to  the world of classical music, he has been bestowed with numerous honours.

Honours by the Government & Academies

 

Padma Bhushan	President of India, Govt of India - 1973
Tansen Award	Madhya Pradesh Government - 1980
National Singer	President, Government of India - 1959
Sangeet Bhishmacharya	All World Marathi Sammellan, Bombay - 1989
Akashwani Award	All India Radio (Being one of the oldest broadcaster of AIR, having broadcasted his inspiring music from all stations of AIR of undivided India)
Doctor of Music	Indira Kala Sangeet Vishwavidyalaya, Khairagarh - 1961
Shikhar Samman	Madhya Pradesh Government - 1973
Gaan Maharishi	Jagatguru Shankaracharya Sankeshwar Peet - 1975
Bhuwalka Award	Sangeet Saurabh - 1982
Swar Vilas	Sursingar Samsad, Bombay 1971
Sangeet Ratnalankar	Gwalior State - 1945
Taan Samrat	Rajgarh State - 1925
Laya Samrat	Patiala State - 1923
Sangeet Visharad	Harvallabh Sangeet Sabha - Jalandhar - 1923
Sangeet Shiromani	Multan Sangeet Sabha - 1922
Gayak Shiromani	All India Congress, Ahmedabad - 1921

He has adorned positions as State Musician of the erstwhile State of Satara (Maharashtra),Gwalior,  Emeritus Professor of Madhav Music College Gwalior, Producer Emeritus All India Radio and Doordarshan.  Panditji has trained a number of disciples.He founded a school of music Shankar Gandharva Mahavidyalaya in Gwalior in 1914.He has evolved an easy & independent notation system in 1914.Panditji has published 8 books & written many articles in different journals & magazines.

Panditji breathed his last on 22nd August, 1989 at Gwalior, his recordings and writings provide inspiration and encouragement to all the present and coming generations.  With him has passed away a stalwart of a bygone era, the like of whom will perhaps never adorn the field of Indian Classical music in the years to come.  His great tradition continues with his illustrious son Pt L K Pandit, grand daughter Meeta Pandit and a number of prominent disciples.