MUSICAL ACADEMIES OF INDIA

GANDHARVA MAHAVIDYALAYA
With a vision to conserve and promote Indian music, dance and art, the Gandharva Mahavidyalaya
is an institution par excellence. Located in New Delhi, it wishes to give today’s young generation
the opportunity to appreciate the country’s cultural heritage through high- quality classes in
various subjects.

THE MAHAVIDYALAYA & ITS HISTORY

Established in 1939 by Shri Vinaya Chandra
Maudgalya, this institution was made to
commemorate Pandit Vishnu Digambar Paluskar.
Pandit Digambar was a very learned musician who is
credited with bringing Hindustani classical music to
the masses.

Pandit Vishnu Digambar

Paluskar

VISION AND LEGACY:

The aim for the founding of the institution was to create a
place that would uphold the ideas of Pandit Digambar and
popularise Hindustani music through modern teaching,
Shri Vinaya Chandra preparing skilled teachers and awarding music its deserved
Maudgalya place in India’s culture. After the death of Shri Vinaya
Chandra Maudgalya, the institution came in the hands of
his son, Pandit Madhup Mudgal. He is the current principal
DID YOU KNOW? of the Gandharva Mahavidyalaya.

Pt. Paluskar had

established the first
Gandharva
Mahvidyalaya in
Lahore in 1901.
 THE MAHAVIDYALAYA: EDUCATION
With its current campus at Deen Dayal Upadhyay Marg,
New Delhi, the Mahavidyalaya offers classes in music,
dance, instrument. Dance forms like Kathak,
Bharatanatyam are taught. Classes for instruments like
Sitar, Tabla, Harmonium are held. Gandharva Mahvidyalaya
also offers examinations in these fields, and as students
pass them, they earn degrees and titles like Praveshika,
Madhyama, Visharad etc.

Gandharva
Mahavidyalaya

PANDIT MADHUP MUDGAL

Pandit Madhup Mudgal is the principal of Gandharva
Mahavidyalaya and the conductor of the Gandharva Choir. He is an
extremely talented singer, musician and composer, known for his
khayal singing and interpretations of bhajans. He has been awarded
the Padma Shri by the government of India and has won many
accolades from around the world. He has done a lot of
experimental music, collaborating with Jazz singers and Brazilian
instruments to make a fusion. Pandit Mudgal was trained in singing
by his father, Shri Vinay Chandra Maudgalya and Guru Pandit
Kumar Gandharva. Apart from this, he has also composed music for
eminent dancers of the country, like Kumudini Lakhia (Kathak) and
Leela Samson (Bharatanatyam).
Pandit Madhup
Mudgal

THE GANDHARVA CHOIR

The Gandharva choir is one of the country’s most prestigious
choirs, having performed in places like Lincoln Centre, New
York, which is one of the most accomplished stages any
performer can reach. They have also sung in many music
festivals worldwide as well as throughout the country. Its
conductor is Pandit Madhup Mudgal. Only exceptional students
join the choir, which has space for both singers and musicians.
The Gandharva
Choir
 FAMOUS ALUMNI

KAILASH KHER
Kailash Kher is a very popular name in the music
scene of the country. He is someone with the
ability to sing both high and low notes effortlessly.
Kailash Kher has many memorable songs like ‘Allah
ke bande haste’, ‘Teri Deewani’ etc. He was
awarded with the Padma Shri in 2017. He is a
successful composer who infuses Indian folk music Kailash Kher
with Indian classicalmusic.

RICHA SHARMA
Richa Sharma is one of India’s most successful
playback singers. She has sung both Bollywood and
devotional songs. She has a very powerful and bold
voice that is quite versatile. Richa Sharma has also
appeared as a judge in various reality TV shows like
Sa Re Ga Ma Pa, Indian Idol etc. She has received
numerous awards for her songs.
Richa Sharma

SHUBHA MUDGAL
Shubha Mudgal is an eminent Hindustani classical singer
from Allahabad. She is recognised for her hold on dhrupad
and khayal. Trained by Pt. Vinaya Chandra Maudgalya and
other big gurus, she is an established composer as well.
She has lent her voice to many projects by the government
as well as contributed to music education. She was
felicitated with the Padma Shri in 2000, the Gold Plaque at
the Chicago International Film Festival among many
Shubha
others. Mudgal
 ACTIVITIES

1. Visit the Gandharva Mahavidyalaya and write about your experience.

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2. Watch the performance of the Gandharva Choir.Write about what makes it unique.
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3. Identify the following instruments:

• A single long wood piece with holes in it, produces a very sweet sound, Lord Krishna
played it.

• A stringed instrument where the strings are plucked to produce a melodious sound,
Pt. Ravi Shankar and Anoushka Shankar play it.

• Two drums, one small and one big, which are made of leather and wood. Very
popular instrument used in Hindustani classical music. Ustad Zakir Hussain plays it.

4. Find about the Vishnu Digambar Festival organised annually by the Gandharva
Mahavidyalaya.
5. Since Bollywood music is more popular now, Indian Classical music is losing its
popularity. What are some ways of the ways in which one can help promote Classical
music?
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REFERENCES:

https://www.mysticamusic.com/artists/padamshree-madhup-mudgal-singer
http://gandharvamahavidyalayanewdelhi.org
https://www.firstpost.com/living/madhup-mudgal-my-life-changed-after-i-heard-kumar-gandharvas-nirgun-bhajans-5457421.html
http://www.gandharvachoir.com/about.html
https://www.thehindu.com/entertainment/music/richa-sharma-singing-for-the-supreme/article25632742.ece
https://shubhamudgal.com/
IMAGES:
www.kractivist.org
www.bb.co.uk
www.gemarts.org
@Gandharva
www.scroll.in
www.deccachronicle.com