Mogara Kurdikar

Mogubai Kurdikar (15 July 1904 – 10 February 2001) was a renowned Hindustani classical vocalist of the Jaipur-Atrauli gharana, celebrated for her profound mastery of the tradition and unwavering dedication to musical perfection. Born in Kurdi village, Portuguese Goa, to a Gomantak Maratha Samaj family, her journey as a student of music began at the age of ten in 1913 when she learned from a wandering monk at the Zambaulim temple. Her life changed when Jaipur-Atrauli maestro Alladiya Khan, while in Sangli for medical treatment, heard her practicing as he walked past her residence. Impressed by her voice, he offered to teach her and began lessons immediately. From 1926, Alladiya Khan summoned his brother from Kolhapur to continue training her in the Jaipur-Atrauli gayaki. From 1940 onwards, Kurdikar toured across British India, including performances broadcast on All India Radio. She became reputed for her restrained, purist, austere, and subtle approach to music, quickly becoming a leading exponent of the Jaipur-Atrauli gharana alongside Kesarbai Kerkar. She was the guru and mother of Kishori Amonkar, one of the most celebrated Hindustani classical vocalists of the 20th century. She received the Sangeet Natak Akademi Award in 1968, the Padma Bhushan in 1974, and was honored with the title "Gaan Tapasvini" (The Singing Ascetic).