Hirabai Barodekar

Hirabai Barodekar was a legendary Indian classical singer who made an exceptional contribution to Hindustani classical music. She was born on May 29th; 1905, in Baroda (now Vadodara), Gujrat, India, into a family of musicians. Her father, Damodarbuwa Barodekar, was a sitar player and music teacher, and her mother, Jadhavbai, was a renowned singer. Hirabai Barodekar began her musical journey under her mother’s guidance who was her first guru. She later trained under several prominent musicians, including Alladiya Khan, Ustad Abdul Karim Khan and Ustad Abdul Wahid Khan. Hirabai Barodekar’s singing style is characterized by its rich tonal quality, clarity of expression, and a deep understanding of the ragas and compositions she performed.

In 1920, Hirabai Barodekar made her debut performance at fifteen, and she became a renowned performer in her own right in the 1920s and 1930s. She was the first female performer to sing at the All-India Music Conference in Kolkata in 1934. Hirabai Barodekar was one of the first women to record her music, and her recordings were highly acclaimed. Hirabai Barodekar’s contribution to Hindustani classical music was recognized through several awards and honours. She was awarded the Padma Bhushan, one of India’s highest civilian honors, in 1989. She also received the Sangeet Natak Akademi Award in 1968, The Maharashtra Gaurav Puraskar in 1990, and the Kalidas Samman in 1991.

Hirabai Barodekar passed away on July 17th; 1989, leaving behind a rich legacy of music. Her music continues to inspire generations of musicians and listeners, and her contribution to Hindustani classical music is invaluable. Hirabai Barodekar was a pioneer who broke barriers in a male–dominated field and paved the way for future generations of female musicians to excel in Hindustani classical music.