Draft:Dhruvatara Joshi

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Pandit Dhruvatara Joshi (Prof. Dhrubatara Joshi) or 'Joshiji' (1912-1993) was an eminent connoisseur of Hindustani Classical Music. An eminent sitarist, vocalist, scholar and composer^[1], Joshi ji was trained in the traditions of the Etawah Gharana^[2] and the Agra Gharanaof the Hindustani Classical Music.^[3]

Early life

Born in Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh in India on 1st October 1912^[4], he was the son of Taradutta Joshi and Dr. Manorama Devi. He held a masters degree in Philosophy from the University of Lucknow^[5].

Career

Pandit Joshi shifted from Lucknow to Kolkata, to learn sitar under the tutelage of Ustad Enayat Khan, father of the "Aftab-e-Sitar" Ustad Vilayat Khan of the Etawah Gharana^[6][7], whom he met in an instrument shop ^[8]. Ustad Enayat Khan often referred to him as his eldest son^[9]. He was a guiding figure for the young Ustaad Vilayat in the string tradition ^[10].^[11] After Ustaad Enayat's untimely demise, he shifted to vocal music ^[12] under the tutelage of Aftab-e-mausiqi Ustad Faiyaz Khan as a "gandabandh shagird" ^[13]. Gradually he became a specialist in Dhrupad, Dhamar and Khayal forms of vocal classical. Later he also adopted singing Thumri.

Pandit Joshi served the All India Radio in the capacity of Deputy Chief Producer ^[14].^[15] Later, he joined the Indira Kala Sangeet Vishwavidyalaya, Khairagarh as the pioneering Dean of the music faculty^[16]. Further, he served the prestigious Vishva Bharati University, in Shantiniketan, as the Head of the Department of Classical Music^[17][18]. His biography is taught at the university as a part of the C-XIV (Practical) course in Masters of Music in Hindustani Classical Music^[19]. He founded the Padmaja Naidu College of Music, at the University of Burdwan^[20].

Awards and Recogntions

Pandit Dhruvatara Joshi has composed numerous bandishes under the pen name of "Premrang", "Rasik Piya" in Hindi and "Junu Lakhanbhi" in Urdu^{[21] [22]}. His compositions under these pen names, especially his thumris have always been applauded for being beautifully strung in the notations of various ragas. His notable compositions include the melancholy "श्याम रे मोरी बाइयाँ गहो ना".

Pandit Joshi has been a recipient of numerous accolades, awards and recognitions. Some notable mentions include "Sangeet Acharya" award by Prayag Sangeet Samiti,Fellowship of the Uttar Pradesh Sangeet Natak Academyin 1974, ITC Sangeet Research Academy Award in 1981, Bhuwalka Award of Sangeet Saurabh in 1984^[23] and the Sangeet Natak Akademi Fellowship in 1979 ^[24][25].

He has been awarded a Doctors of Letters by the Rabindra Bharati University and the University of Burdwan ^[26].

He has been invited to share his experiences in national platforms including Doordarshan and All India Radio^[27].

Demise

Pandit Dhruvatara Joshi passed away on 28th September 1993 in Bardhaman, West Bengal, India ^[28].

He is survived by his worthy students, carrying on his legacy in sitar and vocal music. Some of the prominent names include Vidushi Naina Devi, Pandit Chinmoy Lahiri, Dr. Sharmishtha Sen, Pandit Mohan Singh Khangura, Vidushi Subhra Guha, Prof. Kalyan Mukherjea, Prof. Tapasi Ghosh ^[29], Ustaad Golam Imam, Prof. Sabyasachi Sarkhel^[30]. Randhir Roy (Esraj),Alpana Munshi.^[31]

References