Shivaputra Siddharamayya Komkalimath

Kumar Gandharva, born Shivaputra Siddharamayya Komkalimath, was a legendary Indian classical singer renowned for his unique vocal style and his refusal to be confined by the traditions of any single gharana. A child prodigy, he overcame a severe bout of tuberculosis that permanently affected his voice, leading him to develop a powerful and distinctive singing technique. He is celebrated for his innovative interpretations of ragas, his popularization of nirguni bhajans, and his deep connection to the folk music of Madhya Pradesh.