Bhaiyya Ganpatrao

Bhaiyya Ganpatrao was born to Jayajirao Scindia of the Gwalior princely family. He was the brother of Jiwajirao Scindia.^[1]

He studied with Sadiq Ali Khan of Kirana Gharana and later with Bande Ali Khan and Inayat Hussain Khan, both students of Haddu Khan of Gwalior Gharana.^[2]

In the late-19th Century and early-20th Century, Ganpatrao was the "greatest name" associated with the harmonium.^[3] He popularized the instrument and developed its Thumri-ang.^[4]

Like Govindrao Tembe, Ganpatrao is credited with establishing harmonium as an instrument for Hindustani Classical music. Consequently, he had an enormous impact on many musicians whom he taught.^[5]

Ganpatrao was a prolific composer and used the mudra "Sughar-piya."^[6]

Faiyaz Khan began singing thumris publicly because of Ganptrao's influence.^[7] Bismillah Khan adopted some of Ganpatrao's techniques to his Shehnai-playing.^[8]

The sarod maestro Hafiz Ali Khan, father of Amjad Ali Khan, learned dhrupad and thumri from Ganpatrao.^[9] He also taught Bashir Khan of Indore and Girija Shankar Chakrabarty.^[10][11]

He also taught Jaddanbai, the mother of Bollywood actress Nargis.^[12]