havanurmic's video: Aprachalit kalakar - Manikrao Raichurkar sings Todi

The region of North Karnataka, bordering Andhra and south Maharashtra has had a rich tradition of classical music . The old district of Dharwad is known as the Gangotri of Hindustani Classical Vocalism. Many of its stalwarts have attained well deserved recognition and celebrity status. But musicians and musical cultures don't thrive in isolation. For every Bhimsen Joshi and Mallikarjun Mansur there are scores of others who have devoted their lives to persuit of pure music but have remained relatively obscure. Aprachalit series is dedicated to the memory of these artists. They may have faded but their music needs to be preserved. Manikrao Raichurkar was born in 1921 and grew up in Raichur. While poverty forced him to work at a trader's shop at the age of 12, his mind was not on the money. Young Manikrao was fascinated by music, especially the radio broadcasts which were like a magic in early 30s. One day he was sent on an important errand to the local police station, but got so immersed listening to a music program there and came back empty. His employer was furious and dismissed him on the spot. There is a story that Manikrao did not come home that day and just took the first available train not knowing where it was going. Several years later his family was overjoyed to receive a postcard announcing that his first program was to be broadcast by Bombay radio station. The whole family and their friends gathered around one of the few radios in Raichur to listen to the prodigal son. Manikrao had spent the years learning from Pt Jagannathbuva of Pandharpur. Later on he continued his tutelage under his maternal uncle Pt Nagashastri in Raichur and evolved into a dedicated Gwalior Gharana vocalist. While Manikrao performed all over the country and won the respect of music lovers and connoisseurs, he never sought fame or money. Nothing mattered to him other than the pursuit of his music. He did receive some recognition in later years, by the Govt of Karnataka in 2006 and an honorary doctorate from Gulbarga University.