Meghnath Kolhapure

Pandit Meghnath Krushnarao Kolhapure is an Indian Classical Vocalist from Maharashtra, India. He is known for the Khayal form of singing, as well as for his popular presentation of various Bandish Bandish in different Raagas of Hindustani Classical Music Classical music. He refused the bond of Gharana Gharana tradition in Indian Classical Music Classical music and has successfully continued the tradition of Pandit Kumar Gandharva.
== Early life, Education, & Career ==
Pandit Meghnath Kolhapure was born on 5-10-1938 in Baroda, Gujarat. His father Pandit Krishnarao Kolhapure was a renowned singer-actor and well-known Rudraveena player and was the principal owner of the Balwant Drama Company . His mother Vijayabai Krishnarao Kolhapure was a housewife. He had a family of six siblings, four brothers, and two sisters. He is a commerce graduate and holds a degree of Sangeet Alankar in Classical Music. He learned Sitar, Rudra-veena, and Classical vocal from his father in the early days and later on the guidance of Pandit Kumar Gandharva and Professor B. R. Deodhar in Classical Vocal. He worked as an Accountant and also took music lessons along with it. After his retirement, he devoted his entire time to Music. His job and profession led to a break from music, but in 1976, he returned to the field of music on the occasion of an event and sang at many events.
== Musical Performance ==
* Singing at the age of 11 at Baroda Sansthan and Honored by King Shri Pratapsingh Gaikwad Pratap Singh Rao Gaekwad.
* On the occasion of Late Shri. Vishnu Digambar Paluskar death anniversary, Pandit Meghnath Kolhapure performed Pandit Kumar Gandharva swarchit bada khayal in Raag Miya Ki Malhar presentation in Mumbai and at that time Ustad Zakir Hussain (musician) tabla accompaniment.
* He bagged the first rank in the All-India Radio's Raagdari singing competition and later led Maharashtra and performed in Delhi.
* He gave a singing performance at Gandharva Niketan, Delhi, and at that time Ustad Alla Rakha tabla accompaniment and was felicitated by Pandit Vijay Chandra Modgal.
* He performed as the lead singer along with Pandit Jitendra Abhisheki at the 'Vocal to Classical' program organized by Pandit Ravi Shankar.
* In his youth, he performed at many small and big events at parle music circle, trinity club, professor devdhar music school-Mumbai, Gandharva Vidyalaya-Vashi, Ratnagiri, Pune.File:Meghnath Kolhapure1.jpg|thumb
* He, along with his elder brother Pandit Pandharinath Kolhapure , founded the veena vardayini in the year 2000.
* He gave a singing performance at the program "Ghan Garje" based on Raag Malhar organized by Karnataka Sansthan and Kalabharati Sansthan.
* He performed "Geet Varsha" based on Pandit Kumar Gandharva by Pandit Raja Kale, Shri. Dokarikar performed with Savani Ravindra and the disciples.
* He presented his own Bandish's in different raagas at a program based on Kumar Gandharva at The Deval Club, Kolhapur.
* He gave a performance with the young generation in Panvel- Navi Mumbai organized by the Swarsaad Foundation .
=== Compositions ===
He has written many Bandish's Bandish in various raagas and has composed music for those Bandishes. He also write & composed many Ghazals Ghazal.
== Awards ==
* He got First rank in All India Radio's Hindustani Classical vocal Competition.
* He was felicitated by the Lions Club of India, Panvel & Mumbai.
* He was felicitated by VOCATIONAL SERVICE AWARD from the Rotary Club, Panvel 
* He was felicitated by the Panvel Cultural Center, Panvel
* And was felicitated by the Nadabramha Trust, Pune.
* He was felicitated by Pandit Ajit Kadade in Panvel.
* He accompanied Pandit Kumar Gandharva on tanpura at several events and was praised by Lata Mangeshkar at one of them.
* He delivered a lecture on Ustad Bande Ali Khan Saheb and the history related to musical instruments and it is also recorded in the American Times .
* They used to receive presentations and prizes from various competitions during their time in schools.
== Family & Relatives ==
Master Krishnarao Kolhapure and Vijayabai Krishnarao Kolhapure are his father and mother. Also, Pandit Pandharinath Kolhapure is his elder brother.
Master Deenanath Mangeshkar is his maternal uncle and Lata Mangeshkar is his cousin. The entire Mangeshkar and Abhisheki family are his relatives.
Pandit Meghnath Kolhapure got married to Mrs. Madhavi Kolhapure in 1970. He is survived by his wife, two children, two daughters-in-law, two grandsons, and a granddaughter. His wife Mrs. Madhavi Meghnath Kolhapure is a housewife and at that time worked as a chorus singer in many shows of Lata Mangeshkar and Asha Bhosle. His eldest son, Mr. Shrinath Kolhapure, is a mechanical engineer and works as a sales manager. His elder daughter-in-law Mrs. Rupali Shrinath Kolhapure is a graduate and is currently working as a teacher. His younger son Kedarnath Kolhapure is a computer engineer and working in a very high position. His younger daughter-in-law Mrs. Jai Kedarnath Kolhapure is working in Saraswat Bank. His elder grandson Is Advaiya Shrinath Kolhapure and Reyansh Kedarnath Kolhapure is the younger grandson. He is also the granddaughter of Anisha Shrinath Kolhapure.
== Bibliography ==
* RUNANUBANDH (Based on the lives of Master Krishnarao Kolhapure and Master Dinanath Mangeshkar)
* SWARANCHYA CHAYET (memories from own musical field and vocal bandish)
* NACHAT GA GAGANAT NATHA (based on the life of Master Dinanath Mangeshkar)
Category:Indian classical singers
Category:1938 births