Sudha Divekar

GHARANA

Kirana

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Smt. Sudha Divekar was a senior vocalist devoted to the music of the Kirana Gharana and a senior disciple of Pt. Firoz Dastur. A native of Belgaum, she grew up hearing the music of Pt. Bhimsen Joshi and Vid. Gangubai Hangal, and began singing on her own as a child. At 16 or 17 her parents allowed her to learn on the condition, set by her mother, that she give up outings such as cinema and picnics and learn with all her heart. Her first guru, Joshimastar, came to her home to teach her in the Kirana style. In college she acted in theatre under the direction of P.L. Deshpande. She performed on Dharwad Radio Station, won trophies at various competitions, and was given the title "Maharashtra Kokila" by Prof. K. Atre. After her marriage she began learning from Pt. Firoz Dastur, whose gentle style she came to admire alongside the grandeur of Pt. Bhimsen Joshi's singing. Her own singing combined both qualities. Pt. Dastur, known to her family as Dastur-kaka, taught her regularly and sometimes used her musical phrases in his own concerts; under him she learnt to be a teacher as well as a singer, and she went on to teach many students. Beyond music she enjoyed driving, games, cooking, embroidery, knitting and gardening. She passed away on the morning of October 11, and her last rites were held on October 12, her birthday.