Pandit Yashpaul (22 March 1937 - 3 July 2023) was an Indian classical singer belonging to the Agra gharana (singing style).[1][2]

Yashpaul
Background information
Born(1937-03-22)March 22, 1937
Gujranwala, Punjab, British India
DiedJuly 3, 2023(2023-07-03) (aged 86)
Chandigarh, India
GenresHindustani classical music
Occupation(s)Vocalist
Years active1948–2023

Early life edit

Yashpaul was born in Gujranwala in 1937. After the partition his parents migrated to India and settled in Jalandhar, where he was initiated into music by Kasturilal ‘Jassra’, who was the disciple of Chhote Ghulam Ali Khan of Lahore.[3][4] He received further training from Vilayat Hussain Khan and Yunus Hussain Khan from the Agra gharana. He was also inspired by Bade Ghulam Ali Khan and Mallikarjun Mansur.[5][6][7]

Career edit

Yashpaul first performed when he was 11 years old at the "Harivallabh Sangeet Sammelan".[3] He is the oldest alumni of Swami Harballabh Sangeet Akademi, Jalandhar. He has been performing on All India Radio since 1952. He has performed in many nationally-broadcast programmes of music, as well as annual Akashvani Sangeet Sammelans. [8]

He is a composer and teacher. He has composed many bandishes under his pen name "Sagun Piya".[9] He is a founder of Music Deptts at Panjab University and MCM DAV College of Women Chandigarh respectively. He retired as the Head of Department at the Department Music at Panjab University in 1997.[8][10]

Awards and honors edit

Awards received by Yashpaul include:.[3][5][11]

  • National Sangeet Natak Academy Award
  • Award of National Scholarship, 1962 (Ministry of Education, Govt. of India)
  • Punjab State award
  • Punjab Sangeet Natak Academi award
  • Dedicated Educationist award
  • Sangeet Sumeru award
  • Sangeet Shiromani award
  • The Music Monarch of India’s north western region (the lifetime award by FFF)
  • Honored by Senior Citizens Association of Chandigarh
  • He is the founder and former Chairman of Deptts. of Music i.e., M.C.M. D.A.V. College for Women and Punjab University Chandigarh respectively

References edit

  1. ^ Wade, Bonnie (1973). "Chĩz in Khyāl: The Traditional Composition in the Improvised Performance". Ethnomusicology. 17 (3): 443–459. doi:10.2307/849960. ISSN 0014-1836. JSTOR 849960.
  2. ^ Wade, Bonnie C. (1984). Khyal: Creativity Within North India's Classical Music Tradition. CUP Archive. ISBN 978-0-521-25659-9.
  3. ^ a b c :: Felicitation of Pt. Yashpaul Ji ::
  4. ^ "Festival of Performing Arts begins, Akademi Awardees showcase their Art". www.internationalnewsandviews.com. Retrieved 2 April 2020.
  5. ^ a b Sinha, Manjari (21 September 2018). "The taste of 'organic' fruit: Pandit Yashpaul and the Agra gharana". The Hindu.
  6. ^ "Pandit Yashpaul". The Anād Foundation. 23 March 2017. Retrieved 2 April 2020.
  7. ^ "A fine music tradition in ruins". The Tribune. 15 November 2003.
  8. ^ a b Tandon, Aditi (13 August 2003). "At last, recognition to guardian of Agra Gharana". The Tribune. Chandigarh, India. Retrieved 8 January 2019.
  9. ^ "Exploring Gandhi through mudras". The Indian Express. 14 October 2012.
  10. ^ "Department of Music (Vocal) of PG Government College for Girls, Sector-11, Chandigarh organized a Lecture-cum-Demonstration today. Pt. Yash Paul, an eminent and traditional performing artist, who has made a significant contribution in the field of Hindustani Classical Vocal Music, was the resource-person. - Times of India". The Times of India. Retrieved 2 April 2020.
  11. ^ "Pandit Yashpaul - Asian School of Music". Asian School of Music. 28 September 2015.