Pandit Bhimsen Joshi
One of the greatest Hindustani classical singers, who made Pune his home and built the Sawai Gandharva music festival. Bharat Ratna, 2008.
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Quick facts
- Born:
- 1922, Gadag
- Pune link:
- Lived in Pune, Sawai Gandharva festival
- Award:
- Bharat Ratna, 2008
- Lifespan:
- 1922 - 2011
Life and work
Bhimsen Joshi left home as a boy to learn music and became a disciple of Sawai Gandharva of the Kirana gharana. His powerful voice and his abhangs and bhajans, such as those in Santvani, made him famous far beyond classical music lovers.
Sawai Gandharva festival
In 1953 he started a music festival in Pune in memory of his guru. Today the Sawai Gandharva Bhimsen Mahotsav, held every December, is one of the most important classical music festivals in India.
Honours
He received the Bharat Ratna in 2008.
Photos of Pandit Bhimsen Joshi
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Photo: British Institute of Recorded Sound, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
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Sources: Written by PuneDiary. Facts checked 10 October 2026.