Notes go mute in Dharwad: Where apathy to music legends’ legacy has developed into a fine art

Dharwad: Call it government apathy or negligence of trusts and officials, an air of ingratitude pervades homes of the greats in Dharwad, considered a hub of Hindustani music.

Six national trusts (five music and one fine arts) have been established in the city in honour of stalwarts who shaped the city’s rich musical heritage. But many of these have become inactive. The result: Dharwad’s vibrant musical lineage is fading away gradually. 

Beyond these trusts, Dharwad is home to ancestral houses of renowned musicians like Gangubai Hangal, Mallikarjun Mansur and Basavaraj Rajguru. Silence echoes in these houses, which once resonated with soulful ragas. 

One striking example is ‘Gangotri’, the birthplace of legendary vocalist Gangubai Hangal at Shukravarpeth.

Gangubai was born on March 5, 1912, and spent her childhood in this modest rented house, before shifting to Hubballi in 1928.

She had fond memories of this house and associated it with her mother Ambabai, a Carnatic musician who gave up performing to support Gangubai’s training in Hindustani music.

‘Gangotri’ was renovated in 2007–08 and converted into a museum-cum-music school. Today, due to administrative neglect, it is once again in ruins.

The walls and doors have crumbled, rubble fills the interior and entering the house is risky.

Dust, cobwebs and bricks and plaster that are coming apart greet the rare visitor. A wall of a neighbouring house has collapsed and the debris has spilled over into the compound of Gangotri.

The space that was meant to preserve the maestro’s life journey through exhibits and serve as a training centre for young musicians, has been reduced to rubble, says art lover and social activist Uday Yendigeri.

A sum of Rs 2 crore sanctioned by the government a decade ago for constructing a ‘Samskruthika Bhavan’ in honour of Basavaraj Rajguru remains unused due to a long-pending land dispute near Akkana Balaga.

The ancestral home of Pandit Mallikarjun Mansur was converted into a museum in 2009 and initially housed music classes. Over time, these classes have ceased, says art promoter and social activist Shrishailgouda Kamatar.

But all is not lost. Kumar Bekkeri, senior assistant director of the Kannada and culture department, said deputy commissioner Divya Prabhu had shown interest in reviving ‘Gangotri’ into a museum of international standards and restarting music classes.

A proposal has been submitted to the government, seeking approval to establish a dedicated museum of music at the site.

Local residents have agreed to offer land for the project and the tahsildar has been instructed to survey the area and prepare the necessary documents.

“Once land is officially handed over, efforts will be made to secure funds,” Bekkeri said. Also, the ‘Samskruthika Bhavan’ project is expected to become a reality soon, as alternative land parcels have been identified.

MLA Arvind Bellad has promised to give Rs 2 crore from the MLA’s local area development fund for it, he said.