Meeta Pandit - Hindustani Vocal Music Virtuoso

Pt. Krishnarao Shankar Pandit of Gwalior Gharana is acknowledged as a doyen of Hindustani Classical Music. He was born on 26th July 1893. Pt. Krishnaraoji was groomed at a very early age by his illustrious and devoted father Pt. Shankar Pandit who was legend in himself and the late Ustad Nissar Hussain Khan. Not only was 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. 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. .

For his immense contribution to the world of classical music, he has been bestowed with numerous honours.

HONOURS BESTOWED BY THE INDIAN GOVERNMENT & ACADEMIES

1. Padma Bhushan - President of India, Govt of India - 1973

2. Tansen Award - Madhya Pradesh Government - 1980

3. National Singer - President, Government of India - 1959

4. Sangeet Bhishmacharya - All World Marathi Sammellan, Bombay - 1989

5. 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)

6. Doctor of Music - Indira Kala Sangeet Vishwavidyalaya, Khairagarh - 1961

7. Shikhar Samman - Madhya Pradesh Government - 1973

8. Gaan Maharishi - Jagatguru Shankaracharya Sankeshwar Peet - 1975

9. Bhuwalka Award - Sangeet Saurabh - 1982

10. Swar Vilas - Sursingar Samsad, Bombay 1971

11. Sangeet Ratnalankar - Gwalior State - 1945

12. Taan Samrat - Rajgarh State - 1925 Laya Samrat Patiala State - 1923

13. Sangeet Visharad - Harvallabh Sangeet Sabha - Jalandhar - 1923

14. Sangeet Shiromani - Multan Sangeet Sabha - 1922

15. Gayak Shiromani - All India Congress, Ahmedabad - 1921

President of India Dr. S.S. Radhakrihsnan honouring Pt. K.S. Pandit

FELICITATIONS BY PUBLIC & INSTITUTIONS

1) On the occasion of his 61st Birthday - Felicitated by the citizens of Gwalior, Bhopal, Indore, Bombay Sagar etc. - 1957.

2) Nagrik Samman - By the Municipal Corporation and Citizens of Gwalior – 1959.

Certificate of Excellence - Gandharva Mahavidyala Mandal - Golden Jubilee, Bombay 1952.

3) Felicitations by - Pt. Bhatkhande Centenary Celebrations, Gwalior - 1960 etc. Sangeet Research Academy, Calcutta - 1980. Faculty of Music & Fine Arts, University of Delhi - 1986 etc.

'4) Pt. Krishna Rao Shankar Pandit Prasang' organised by Bharat Bhawan-Bhopal. A three day festival organised on his personality, works and musical contribution - 16th, 17th & 18th November 1985.

AWARDS, TITLES & MEDALS

1) From the erstwhile States: Satara, Rajgarh, Bharatpur, Baroda, Patiala, Nabha, Kashmir, Mysore, Lucknow, Gwalior, Rampur, Nepal etc.

2) Felicitations by the National Leaders: Lok Manya Bal Gangadhar Tilak, Rashtrapita Mahatma Gandhi, Pt. Jawahar Lal Nehru, Sardar Vallabh Bhai Patel, Dr. Rajendra Prasad, Sarvapalli Radhakrishna, Sh. V.V. Giri, Smt. Indira Gandhi, Sh. Moraji Desai, Sh. Rajiv Gandhi, Jagadguru Shankaracharya etc.

Besides this, Panditji was a freedom fighter an inviteee to the All India Congress Sessions every year where he used to inspire the masses through this music.

POSITIONES ADORNED

State Musician of the erstwhile State of Satara (Maharashtra) 1911-1912, Gwalior twice from 1926 to 1935 and since 1936 up to death.

'Emeritus Professor' - Madhav Music College, Gwalior – 1947 till death.

'Producer Emeritus' - All India Radio and Doordarshan 1981-1984

Fellowship from Education and Cultural Ministry, Government of India- 1980.

AUDIO RECORDINGS

All India Radio Archives, New Delhi, Various Stations of All India Radio, National Centre for performing Arts Bombay, Columbia - 78 RPM recordings, L.P. recording HMV, H.M.V. Cassette recordings, Madhya Pradesh Kala Parishad, Faculty of Music & Fine Arts - Delhi University, Sangeet Natak Academy, Disc recordings prepared by Seth Laxmichand of Karachi in 1934, “Great Tradition” Master of Music, L.P. recording of H.M.V. Released in The Festival of India 1986. Its first disc was presented by Hon'ble Prime Minister Sh. Rajiv Gandhi to Panditji himself, Recordings available with different institiutions, music lovers and connoisseurs of music.

VIDEO RECORDINGS

'The Great Masters' produced by Doordarshan – 1984 , Documentary film by the Films divisons “Pt. Krishna Rao Shankar Pandit” - 1987, Bharat Bhawan – Bhopal, A Photo exhibition on life and works of Panditji by information and publication division of Madhya Pradesh Government, Panditji has envolved an easy and independent Notation System as early as 1914.