Malini Rajurkar (born 1941) is a noted Hindustani classical singer of Gwalior Gharana. 

Early life: She grew up in the state of Rajasthan in India. For three years she taught mathematics at the Savitri Girls’ High School & College, Ajmer, where she had graduated in the same subject. Taking advantage of a three-year scholarship that came her way, she finished her Sangeet Nipun from the Ajmer Music College, studying music under the guidance of Govindrao Rajurkar and his nephew, who was to become her future husband, Vasantrao Rajurkar.

Performing career: Malini has performed in major music festivals in India, including Gunidas Sammelan (Mumbai), Tansen Samaroh (Gwalior), Sawai Gandharva Festival (Pune), and Shankar Lal Festival (Delhi).

Malini is noted especially for her command over the Tappa genre. She has also sung lighter music. Her renditions of two Marathi natyageete, pandu-nrupati janak jaya and naravar krishnasamaan, have been particularly popular.

Vidushi Malini Rajurkar- Raag Ahir Bhairav.

Pandita Malini Rajurkar - Tappa - Tarana - Raga Bhairavi - Lal Wala Joban

Settled in Hyderabad for over 40 years since the 1970s, her training in her gurus’ style has rooted Malini in the Gwalior approach. However, she has felt free to adopt aspects of other styles to create her own. She has been influenced by the likes of K.G.Ginde and Jitendra Abhisheki and by her fondness for the idiosyncratic vocalism of Kumar Gandharva. Malini Rajurkar sings khayal in the Kirana style and is an acknowledged master of Tappa and Tarana.

(Source: Youtube, Indian Raga, Wikipedia)

Tansen Festival, 21 February 1960

With a broken and fagged voice in his late sixties, the genius of Pandit Krishnarao Shankar Pandit recites a Tappa in Bhairavi. This is Tappa reference material. Pandit Krishnarao Shankar Pandit is considered to be one of the greatest vocalists among of the 20th century.

Memorable Dhruth Compositions by Pt. Krishna Rao Shankar Pandit - Raag Darbari

His tradition is being carried forward by his son Pandit Lakshman Krisharao Pandit and granddaughter Meeta Pandit:

Acknowledged as the scion of the Gwalior musical gharana, Meeta Pandit has emerged as a shining star in the world of classical music. Meeta is grand-daughter and disciple of Padma Bhushan Pt Krishna Rao Shankar Pandit, the doyen of Northern Indian Classical music in the 20th century, and the daughter and disciple of legendary Pt L K Pandit. Meeta is the sixth of the unbroken Pandit line and has the unique distinction of being the first woman musician in the family. Her melodious and robust voice coupled with intricate handling of ragas has won her critical acclaim, and a following of music lovers.

In fact, apart from the Khayal traditions, Gwalior is famous for its Tappa Gayaki. Shori Miyan introduced this form of singing in the late 18th century under the reign of Nawab of Awadh at that time, Asad-ud-Daula. This style was adopted by the singers of Gwalior Gharana into their Khayal Gayaki. Some say that the concept of a Taan was conceived by Ustad Bade Mohammad Khan of Gwalior Gharana.

Listening to a recording of Bhaiyya Sahab Poonchwale, a Tappa and bandish in Tilang, I infer that his style was very close to Pandit Krishnarao Shankar Pandit. Being from the same Gharana doesn’t always guarantee that the vocalists follow strictly the same style. As a musician grows, he is influenced by many other styles and incorporates those styles into his own. Shafqat Salamat Ali Khan of Sham Chaurasi Gharana while addressing Ustad Fateh Ali Khan of Patiala said while rendering Taans in the lower octave, Bade logon ki cheezein hain leni chahiye … Ustad Fateh Ali Khan ne yeh darja bahut dekha hai.’; Anyhow, I am gradually becoming more interested in listening to Bhaiyya Sahab Poonchwale and a few other greats of the likes of Ustad Rajab Ali Khan, Bhai Lal Amritsari, Ustad Abdul Karim Khan and so on.

 I remember watching the interview of Pandit Krishnarao Shankar Pandit with Pandit Dinkar Kaikini on the Doordarshan releases. I saw Panditji for the first time in that video. And I wish more of such videos are released by Doordarshan, for they are a treasure. Not to mention that I have been a huge fan of Pandit Lakshman Krishnarao Pandit for a long time. But, I’ve got only one chance to listen to him live at the Delhi Classical Music Festival 2011. I will be listening to Pandit LK Pandit perform on the 17th of February 2012 at IICC, Delhi. 

By Kovid Rathee - February 9 2012 

Pandit Ravi Shankar bids adieu to Bangalore!

Feb 8, 2012 (by the FirstPost.Photos). 

Bangalore: It was an emotional evening for music lovers here as they were transported into the ethereal world with spell-binding music from the renowned father-daughter duo Pandit Ravi Shankar and Anoushka Shankar. Bidding farewell to this city in their last concert together, the sitar maestro along with Anoushka, who is his protege and a composer in her own right, enthralled the audience with their renditions of different ragas. Pandit Ravi Shankar and his 31-year-old daughter wove magic on the stringed instruments with their nimble fingers, creating a musical tapestry that had music connoisseurs craving for more. PTI.  

 

(Sources: http://www.firstpost.com/photos/images-pandit-ravi-shankar-bids-adieu-to-bangalore-207139.html)