Pt. Bhimsen Joshi
Pt. Bhimsen Joshi was one of the greatest Indian vocalists from Karnataka, in the Hindustani classical tradition. He is known for the khayal form of singing, as well as for his popular renditions of devotional #Music (bhajans and abhangs). Pandit jee belonged to the Kirana gharana tradition of Hindustani Classical Music and was noted for his concerts. He was the first musician from India whose concerts were advertised through posters in New York City. He toured Afghanistan, Italy, France, Canada, and the USA between 1964 to 1982. Joshi was instrumental in organizing the Sawai Gandharva Music Festival annually, as an homage to his guru, Sawai Gandharva.
In 1998, he was awarded the Sangeet Natak Akademi Fellowship, the highest honor conferred by Sangeet Natak Akademi, India’s National Academy for Music, Dance, and Drama. Subsequently, he received the Bharat Ratna, India’s highest civilian honor, in 2009.