09-05-2025
Out of tune: Hindustani great Gangubai Hangal's childhood home in Dharwad in a state of neglect
There is a famous saying in Kannada that if you throw a stone, it will land on the house of either an artist or a scholar in Dharwad, a town in north Karnataka known for its rich cultural and literary heritage.
Among several places of cultural importance, Dharwad has the house of legendary vocalist and doyenne of Hindustani classical music Gangubai Hangal, which is located at Shukravarada Pete in the city.
Although Gangubai moved to Hubballi at the age of around 14 to pursue Hindustani classical music from her Guru Sawai Gandharva of the famous Kirana gharana tradition at Kundagol, she had her childhood memories attached to the Dharwad house.
Music lovers and her family members, therefore, were keen on converting the house into a museum to reflect her musical journey. It was to serve as a cultural platform for the future generations too.
The house was bought by the district administration to restore it as a heritage building. After the restoration, it was inaugurated by the then Chief Minister B.S. Yediyurappa along with eminent personalities in the presence of 96-year-old Gangubai Hangal in 2008.
After her death in 2009, the house was maintained for a couple of years, but later it fell into disuse and neglect. The departments started blaming each other, but is now in a dilapidated condition. Despite assurances of restoration, nothing has ben done to fulfil the dreams of the music fraternity. The house which was a symbol of past glory, now stands as an example of sheer official apathy.
