Hello all
I was in the middle of a training programme day before yesterday when I got the sad news that the great Gangubai Hangal was no more. For most hardcore Hindustani classical followers, Gangubai represented the creme de la creme of her generation. She was a remarkable personality both on stage, when she regaled the audience with her flawless presentation and distinct vocal style that was embellished by her manly voice, and off stage, when she showcased her colourful yet strong personality. In many ways, she was like the Indira Gandhi of Hindustani classical music.
Even as I've spent the past couple of days listening to Gangubai's recordings (most of which also feature her talented daughter Krishna, who passed away a few years ago), I read a post this morning on Melody Junction about the death of Carnatic doyenne DK Pattamal. Another awesome and divine singer who, as has been rightly described, completed the Carnatic female vocalist trinity along with the incomparable MS Subbulakshmi and ML Vasanthakumari.
Coming a month after the death of sarod legend Ustad Ali Akbar Khan and a few months after Delhi-born Pakistani ghazal genius Iqbal Bano passed away, this makes it one of the saddest years - or probably the saddest yesr- in the history of Indian music.

In fact, even Carnatic mridangam maestro Palghat R Raghu passed away in early June. And composer-sitar player-theatre personality Bhaskar Chandavarkar passed away yesterday. Surely a tragic year for Indian music